Terrier judging, scenic travel and more

Thursday was a travel day to New Brunswick. Built into the 6 hour drive was a detour to Tatamagouche to visit with Shelagh, deliver the obligatory milkshake and shore up sagging spirits. The staff noted that it had been a hard week for her and that a visit always goes a long way to settling her anxiety. The drive in July is beautiful and the area full of things to do so if you are contemplating a day trip, why not consider Tatamagouche and drop by to visit The Willow Lodge for a few minutes.
And on we went to Woodstock. Dad enjoyed the visit tremendously, even though Billy wasn't with us.

And on we went to Quebec. It had been a couple of years since we had driven to Quebec and the roads through NB have now been completed. It is a pleasure to drive as far as Edmundston and a challenge from there on. There is lots of road construction and lots of traffic - a recipe for frustration. We had left NB early for the four hour drive to take the Riviere-du-Loup ferry to Saint Simeon and then on to Baie St Paul on the scenic route. Baie St Paul is incredibly beautiful and a 'must see' on any trip to the area. It is an artists' community in the Charlevoix Region. There are galleries on every street, countless boutiques, restaurants and bistros and lots and lots and lots and lots of shopping - did I mention we shopped?! The Club had reserved rooms for all of us who were judging at an Inn - Les Estampilles - on the hill overlooking the town and the Bay. The proprietors were accommodating, the rooms comfortable and the food of high quality. The local fromageries offered up their daily cheeses and every restaurant boasts local fare. There seemed to be a mix of languages spoken so don't be concerned that you could not make your way in English. The dogs at the Show were of good quality and the exhibitors pleasant. The judging panel was great and lots of good conversation and discussion was the order of the day.

The return home was through Quebec City rather than the ferry - perhaps not the wisest decision. The road construction was everywhere and traffic was dreadful. We managed to get to Woodstock by ten pm, unload the car and tell Dad our tales. Driving home, we again detoured to visit with Shelagh and arrived for a late dinner at Regalridge.

All was well with the boarding community. Reese was here to play with Ben and KC. The Nangreaves circus came and went 'en famille' (Danu's patience is unlimited, we have learned). Roddi and Ruari and Abigail played in their yard, with the insertion of Trebia when she wasn't keeping old Nemo company. Anjin arrived for his vacation and has bonded with KC. Max had a great time with Trebia becoming his hero - he wants to go fast like her, if only his legs would accompany him! Riley came for a trim and had a good spin in the yard with Jessie-Rachel. They discovered a good hole and enlarged it just for the joy of watching dirt fly.

The Regalridge house crew were busy enjoying the nice weather. There were ball games galore, lots of games of chase and hide and seek. Fast food restaurants locally saw a boon in business and Chantelle will be surprised to again see vegetables now that we are back. Paula Welsh is focused on her delicate condition and certain she is pregnant. Lori has been bred for the last time and will be repatriated to the house with Hailey by the end of the week. Piper was thrilled to see us back - there was word that she didn't go to the bedroom every night and her feelings were badly bruised. Einstein was a little less effusive in his greetings - he managed to stay one step ahead of Chantelle, bonding in the bedroom with Billy at about 4 every morning by sitting on top of Billy's crate and wagging his cat tail just to say 'hi'. That crate can really move when Billy jumps up and down!

Ken has inspected his gardens and will be in them early, I expect. He found two ferns to be added to the front area and is keen to have them planted.