Saturday, August 06, 2011

CHAMPIONS AND OTHER THINGS , EVEN.

The journey to the regional agricultural show was dire. It's 'interesting' enough that we have to cope with sea haar when it descends upon us, however, this time it was low visibility in long stretches of very low lying cloud. When we were above the cloud we were into clear visibility, and apart from lots of different kinds of traffic on two-way roads, (it would be so much safer to have dual carriageway) the cloud was an extra long-lasting hazard. It was a tiresome journey.

By the time we were close to destination, about 11am, I was fascinated to see various staked notices leading towards a church, one invited you not for evensong, but, 'even coffee'. Bar the fact that we were in a guided motorcade by this time, I might have stopped, even!

It couldn't have been wetter. My poncho did a sterling job but was overworked. The the show tents were busy. They were a great place to escape from the constant downpour. Every time I put back my hood, the rain started up. I gave up and left it where it was, safely on my head. A number of people enviously eyed my poncho and one person without a jacket, asked where I'd bought it, thinking I might have found it at the show.

Our farming neighbours obtained championship accolades for their sheep.
P1000982-We-Are-Champions-Angus'-Wb

The lady farmer pointed out to me the overall champion was the one who normally stopped and talked to me through the chain link fence. She can get most demanding of communication if I am slow to respond. Today though, she had done her bit and wanted to rest on her laurels.
P1000983-Overall-Champion-Angus'-farm Wb

Young black Dougal with his mum. He was born on Hogmanay,(31st December 2010).
P1000411 Young Dougal 2
Look at Dougal now, at eight months old. Dougal came away with a respectable 2nd place.  He is already twice the size of the farmer's previous champion Suffolk lamb of August 2010.
P1000986-Dougal-2nd-Place--WearyWb

I noticed the young lad bounding up to a different Suffolk Lamb. The lamb almost jumped the fence as he became aware of him. They greeted each other like long lost friends.
P1000987-Friends-Wb

4 comments:

Harry said...

One of the great events in our childhood year was a visit to the Belfast Agriculture Show...and it often rained!

My father had a lovely luxury car which was his pride and joy. Parking at the show was such a problem that he came up with a great idea. He got a chauffeur's peaked cap, and we sat in the back seat. When we approached the parking area, the car park attendant simply waved him towards a free area, as he thought we were some important people!

ZACL said...

Nothing like a good dose of cheek for getting to places, is there, Harry.

Parking wasn't a problem at this show, it is well catered for. Mud could be the main difficulty for moving ordinary cars on and getting out onto the road. It was just about okay this time round. I don't know how the farmers and horse people fared with their heavy farm vehicles.

Last year a number of vehicles were badly stuck in sludgy mud at the local agricultural show. Heavy lifting vehicles were called in to push, but even that was not straightforward as they could not risk their weight. It ended up with lots of people muscle having to help out.

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy shows like that even in such weather!
They're good looking sheep so little wonder that they got the accolades that they did.
Flighty xx

ZACL said...

Hello Mr F,

Speaking the man-farmer of the duo, yesterday, I discovered Dougal had been awarded The Reserve Championship of the breed at the show. That's good-going.

Sadly, Angus, last years Overall Champ. keeled over and died in May. It was intended that he be shown as well. I guess had he been, as a full grown Suffolk, not a lamb this time, he would have walked away with the grass he trotted on. He really was superb.