I slept like a log after all our labours preparing for the dog show and was up early to watch Rusty the pony’s debut in the fancy dress class in the Timsbury Show with Shelley’s daughter Maisie on board. He looked fantastic as a cow and won second place, beaten by a dashing black Shetland pony dressed up as a pirate ship. Brilliant! Tina and Wellington won Best Veteran qualifying for another Championship show in September and then took Reserve Champion at the end of the day.

My sister and my nephews are on the way down from Surrey to spend some time with us and it is my younger nephew's birthday tomorrow so Tony, Daisy and I are off to brave the local giant toy store to stock up with presents, whilst a large dinosaur cake is being crafted in the kitchen at Tilley Farm courtesy of Jon and our friend Janet Atkins who owns Léo’s sister Ciela. Ciela won Best Puppy yesterday so she too has a lovely trophy and a cup.