Poppy's WAO Adventure - Part 2

The day of the start of the adventure came.  Mum was piling LOADS of stuff in the van.  Honestly, how many coats and beds does she think I need?  I waved goodbye to Aunty Deb and the rest of the gang, pulled tongues at Twiggy (it’s ok Mum didn't see) and off we went.  We picked up Sarah and Kita en route.  I thought Mum had a lot of stuff but you should have seen the amount that Sarah had.  Thought we were going to need a trailer at one point!  Something called straighteners and make-up I believe that was taking all the space. 

We had a long journey in the van and then when I thought we’d got to this Spain show, we hadn’t!  We were actually getting on this big kennel on water, van and all.  What a laugh!  It was really cool on the floaty kennel.  I got to stay in the same room as Mum and I had a great view of seagulls and other little floaty kennels.  We were on there for ages and it got a bit bumpy.  There were quite a few other dogs on there from our team so it was great to chat to them.  We finally arrived in Spain and still had 3 hours to go to our destination, Oviedo.  Mum insisted on driving on the wrong side of the road and there was this REALLY scary time when we got stuck in the middle of the road with cars zooming all around us blasting their horns.  That wasn't nice and Mum actually swore a lot but I can’t really blame her.

 The hotel was fab.  I could share a room with Mum.  I’m glad she took my crate though – I like my home comforts.  We went for a long walk with a load of other team mates which was great but Mum insisted on keeping me on that bloomin flexi thing.  I know she doesn't like it so why use it?  Just when I wanted to investigate whether Spanish rabbits run like ours back home.  She’s a real party-pooper.

The next day we went to El Asturcon Equestrian centre, the venue for the show.  There was a lovely walk along the river bank which I was looking forward to exploring but first of all we had a training session outside.  The sun had come out and it was lovely to run round.  Mum was really pleased with me.  After lunch we had an indoor training session.  Mum had told me I would like it – it wasn't far off the size of Olympia.  Well she wasn't wrong about that but what she failed to mention was that the monsters clearly fancied a bit of tapas and flamenco dancing and had followed us to Spain.  I just can’t run when there’s monsters about.  It’s way too scary.  Everyone else seems fine, it must be just me they’re after.  Mum got pretty upset about the monsters scaring me.  I know she doesn't like me being upset.  She said my middle name must be freaky.  I think I prefer ‘unique’.

We had another indoor training session the next day but Mum didn't do it with me.  Instead she tried to get me to play in a corner.  Don’t know who she thought she was kidding though, the monsters were still there ….. somewhere.

Back to the hotel for the afternoon and then we were back at the venue in the evening for some photos and the opening ceremony.  Everyone looked really smart in their kit, although it’s fair to say that us pooches are far more photogenic than the handlers AND we didn't take ages making sure our hair was in place.  Mind you don’t think Mum did either!

On the Friday competition started.  I always thought being on holiday meant you get to have a lie in but Mum dragged me out of bed at 5.30, so just like a show morning at home really.  Whoever said it was going to be sunny in Spain told a great fat porky pie.  Wet and muddy!  Good job I don’t mind wet and mud.  Mum looked really smart in her kit (although I did worry it was going to clash with her orange hat).  I looked pretty good too, as always!  We had this class called Snooker.  Mum seemed to have a problem counting.  She kept muttering random numbers and adding them up.  I really thought she’d lost it.  We set off and were steaming round the course.  It was fab!  None of the numbers were in order and it didn't matter for a few jumps!  I was possibly a little over excited though (hard to believe I know) and we came unstuck at the weaves.  I probably should know by now by now that if I enter them at 9,000 mph there’s no chance of bending back through weaves 2 and 3.  Oops!  Mum legged if off to the finish and I set it off in hot pursuit.  What a blast!  Apparently we didn't get 5, 6 or 7 in the closing sequence on account of my enthusiasm but hey there were no monsters!

We had a run inside on Friday afternoon – Biathlon jumping.  Mum asked this lovely lady called Tace to warm me up.  She has magic hands!  She made sure all my muscles were ready for running and I felt great.  Mum got me REALLY wound up on the start line.  Normally she’s telling me to shut up and calm down.  We went zooming off, got faulted on the weaves AGAIN and it was only ¾ way round that I remembered the monsters.  We had nearly finished but I figured it would be safer just to miss out a couple of jump and finish a bit earlier in case.  I got a lot of cuddles for being nearly very brave so it can’t have been all bad.  1 day down, 2 to go.

Stay tuned for Part 3....