Work and pleasure UK 2016

Finally the time had come, to pack my things and the dogs in the car to start the journey to UK. This time I was going to stay at Anni and Digs in February, in March and April I was going to lamb in South Wales
1st of February me and Minna Eronen started our trip to UK, this time we took the VERY expensive ferry from Helsinki to Travemunde. This because the weather can be really bad trough Sweden at this time of the year, snow storms etc. Minna had Nick with her, they were going to stay and train for a week and then fly home to Finland.
The ferry was late because of hard wind, so we sat on the ferry for 32 hours, jiiz that was a long time. We arrived late to Travemunde, stayed over night at a hostel and continued to Hook of Holland the next day.

Wild ponies on Brecon Beacons

South Wales
The ferry to Harwich was good as usual, slept well and dogs had good kennels. At first we drove to South Wales, stayed a couple of nights at the second farm I was going to work on in April. The farm was big and quite tidy and the farmer seemed nice, talked a lot though, in the pub they called him The man who loves to talk.
It was raining like hell so all fields were flooding. Went to visit Kevin and Sophie as well, trained a little at their home farm. Kevin came to watch us aI also picked up Rhemy, a service pup, from Kevin. The mother is a nice bitch called Meg (what else), she is by John Lightfoot´s Taff and out of sister to Pennant Williams`s Sweep.

England
We decided to drive up to Anni and Digs in Burton, they had dry weather so we would be able to train there. And it was dry there.
We trained the dogs on the smaller homefield, I also started Rhemy there. Rhemy is really keen, a stylish little monkey who gripped like a troll and didn´t let go, not hard but not too soft either. I love him. 

Kemi Rhemy

One sunny but cold day we drove to Deerplay for training. Shirley hold the sheep on the top and I sent Coel. Coel went up like a misile with none or at the most one extra command, good boy. Didn´t send Rhy because he had been trialling there two years ago, so I assumed he would go up.
Minna trained Nick down on the field, he is starting to look really he good. After a cup of tea with Shirley and Jim, they should us several of their young dogs, really interesting and exciting to see what type of dogs they had and how they trained them.

Ladies waiting to see Dr Anni & Dr Digs

Rhy having a chat, Coel doesn´t bother

The marsh
Before Minna left we helped Anni and Digs to gather the 17.000 ha marsh. The tide came two hours to early, so it almost ended up badly. Anni´s dogs were taken to hospital, both had bad hypotermia.

Digs telling us the plan for the gathering on the marsh
(c) Minna Eronen

*

High tide came two hours earlier than we thought...
(c) Minna Eronen

After Minna had flew home, I stayed in Burton a couple of weeks helping Anni and Digs on the farm. A couple of times me and Anni went trialling, no success at all for me...we struggled to keep the sheep on the field...

We also went to see the English Nursery -final, Rhemy escaped and tryed to stop the sheep when they were brought back from the exhausting trough the field... Ha managed to go round them and balance them before I caught him

Awaaay...!

Ha, got ya!
(c) The gather

Boyz watching a run at a trial

Rhemy and Vixey, learning to wait and be quiet in the shed

Before I went to SW, we gathered the mars again. This time it went better, even if it was still scary.

Hard work to pull the ewes up, the water is ice cold

Coel guiding the ewes to safety

Last bunch on the bank

Cherry and Coel taking the ewes home

 Higher salter Roeburndale
One day I had the opportunity to go gathering a hill with Ricky Hutchinsson for a farmer at Higher salter Roeburndale. In the beginning it was snowing, later on the weather cleared up. It is really steap at some places, me and Coel really enjoyed it!

Coel guiding the ewes down the steep hill, over a stream and up on the other side

Beautiful views

South Wales
After the English Nursery final, it was time for me to drive down to South Wales were I was going to lamb for 6-7 weeks.
The first place nearby Merthyr Tydfil was in the middle of nowhere, it was a mix of green and rough fields. There were about 600 crossbreed ewes, 400 lambing inside (my main job) and 200 outside. The shed was quite small, so it was quite tight but cozy inside.
It was long days (as always over lambing) and hard work, but I loved it. The farmer trusted  and appreciated me, which encouraged me to work harder. He always remembered to say something nice, thank you, good job, well done etc. and we had good laughs. The best compliment was when he said, its´good to have you here, you take care of the sheep as they were your own.

Karl feeding ewes

So beautiful so it almost hurts <3

Yes madam, I´m afraid you have to move to an other field now

He took care of the ewes lambing outside, I fed and took care of the ewes inside. I ususally started before 8 am, normal days I was ready about 6-7 pm, depending on how many pet lambs or weak ones I had to feed. When it was really busy, I didn´t come in before 10-11 in the evening. When the lambs were strong enough (2-3days), we marked them and took them to a small field outside the shed, later on I took them to one of the grassfields, depending on if they were singles or twins. We also walked around the fields checking out the ewes in lamb, and then moved the ewes with their new lambs. The ewes were good mothers, which could be seen when they came on to the dogs really hard. First time I was up on the hills looking for newborn lambs, I almost fainted, it was so beautiful so it almost hurted.

Yes you have to move on, it´s gonna be okay

Rhy found a ewe with a newborn lamb

Moving small bunch of ewes

Taking ewes and lambs out to the grass field

This ewe had a big proplapse and a ring womb, very proud of myself to sort it out and pulled out three good lambs.

There is always one, who doesn´t want to cooperate

An other working day in paradise

My work desk

Rhemy taking the empty ewes and rams out

Rhy guiding asingle mum with her lamb

One or two times when it wasn´t too busy yet and the owner was around, I got  permission to go to Kevin and train my dogs or just hang out an hour or two at Penclyn. I also tryed to take the dogs up on the hill every day for a walk if they hadn´t been out working. Rhemy sat in a lambing pen (without sheep) from morning to evening, so you could say he has grown up in a shed. He managed to escape now and then, the ewes were so protective so he soon realized it´s no idea to go in with them.
We had a radion in the shed, where I spent hours and hours on my own with the ewes and lambs and dogs, my favourite song was Coldplay´s Hymn for the weekend... (lambs -> "drink for me, drink for me..."), I knew this song would take me back in my mind every time I´ll hear it afterwards, and it does <3

 After three weeks it was time to say good bye and continue to the next farm


The next place
was a bigger farm, about 1.200 cheviot ewes. If I remember right, about half lambed inside and half outside. The owner took care of the ones outside + the cows.

Sanne and Jessica were visiting the labor camp

This job was different, bigger shed and more ewes, a bit faceless. I still liked the job and wanted to take care of the sheep, so I stayed even if the farmer did not appreciate my work (he didn´t even talk to his old father as well, who was a very warm, sweat and helpful man). I also had problems to get payed etc, didn´t get payed until 6 weeks after I had left when a person from Farmer´s union got involved, and it was less what we had agreed.

I had been offered jobs at three other farms, so now afterwards I regret I didn´t leave earlier. After I came home, I have been contacted by several persons, who told me I´m not the first person who have been treated badly. So if you are offered a lambing job in SW, feel free to contact me and make sure it´s not on this certain farm...

Wow, whereyou have a really nice coat

Nightwish, no I mean Night shift with Jessica <3

 



Irland
Before I went home to Finland, me and Jessica took a road trip to Ireland. We had only been there once before, two years ago to watch the Internationals.
First we visited and trained at Barra O´Brien´s farm and the next day we went to a trial, not much to tell about our runs. Then we drove south and went to Ned O´Keeffe´s trial. Big strong suffolk ewes, both dogs worked very well, I think Coel was third. The judge Dennis Birchall was very impressed by Rhy , he put some stroppy ewes on their place.
On Monday we visited Simon Mosse, a very nice and straight coach. It´s a really beautiful country, with a lot of nice helpful people. I hope I´ll be able to go back soon!

Training at Barra´s farm

Working horses at a trial

Working donkey

Jessica training Dew, for Simon

Letting out sheep at Ned´s trial, Jessica and Dew <3

Back to England

I stayed a few more days in Burton, trying to do some school work on my computer.
Jessica was going to stay in Burton, she had made a big decision, she left her home and work in Finland, and moved to England to work with sheep. She would stay with Anni and Digs over lambing, and then gradually start to find a job and somewhere to live.

Matilda pleased with her coat

Llangadog trial, South Wales -> NW
The trial has got tricky outruns and often tricky sheep as well. Both dogs went up without any problems, Coel had a good run and became third.
I stayed a couple of days with Kevin and Sophie, trained the dogs and walked up to the hills.
I also went to see Ann in TyNant, unfortenately Doug was away lambing in Scotland, but we had a great time with Ann, trained dogs and moved some sheep. I also went and trained at Aled´s, unfortenately he was in America so I didn´t see him.
One day Rhemy run in to me and hit my knee from the side very hard. He got really lame and a ligament in my knee was teared, shit that hurted. Super doctors in SW, the examination and painkillers were all for free.

Llangadog trial, tricky fun outrun trough two fields

Up to Brecon Beacons with the boyz

Rhemy and Coel, Brecon Beacons

Ann and Craig in their hill in NW

Ann´s and Doug´s fields on the hill, North Wales

 England again
Before I went home, I met up with Stuart and went to a trial in Escrick, same trial me, Leena and Jonna went to a couple of years ago. Small field with small fast tricky hebredian ewes. If I remember right, Coel was fifth the first day and Rhy was third the second day.
Stuart checked that my car was fit enough to make the journey to Finland, then it was time to say good bye and drive to Hull.

Hebs at Escrick sheepdog trial

Stuart going trough Filippa (the car)

Back to Finland
This was the first time I was doing this long trip on my own, I felt a bit lonly and missed Leena when I was waiting to get on board on the ferry to Rotterdam. The kennels have ususally been very good and dogs have been calm and okay when I have picked them up.

Not this time, in 3 or 4 other kennels, there were hysterical labradors barking like idiots. I waited outside for a long time, and they didn´t stop. I asked the staff if I could take my dogs and keep them in the car, but that was not allowed. I went to see them once during the trip, the labradors were still barking. Next morning, when we came to the kennels, they were still barking. All dogs in all kennels, were blowing and had teared their beds...even Coel and Rhy, something they have never done before in their whole life.
I was a bit nervous, how far I would be able to drive on my own. First day I drove from Rotterdam to Malmö 900km 11hours , stopped two times,  whereof Rhemy rolled in human shit on the first one. Nice.
Stayed with Lisa Hansson over the night, had a morning training session with her and continued to Stockholm 611km 9hours, two short stops and 1h walk with the dogs. I had thought I would be able to book the Viking Line night ferry to Turku the same morning. But no, it was full. Thank god they had room on Silja Line. Next morning I arrived to Finland, then two hours driving and we were home <3
It had been a intrestering and educational time, learend a lot more about lambing and had a great time! Also learned that people are not necessary what they would like you to think they are. I will still try to trust people like before, but I´m sure gonna do my homework in advance the next time.

Coming up soon, the Continentals

Trial summer in Finland and training in Norway

Trials in Tammisaari
I arrived from UK to Finland with my boys just in time for the trials in Tammisaari, at Annika Paarvios farm.
The field is a little bit tricky, long and narrow. Many dogs seems to have "straightruns" instead of outruns there. I´m lucky to have two dogs who are both good outrunners. Rhy did perfect outruns both days, but gripped when stopping an escaping ewe at the pen one of the days.
Coel went in to the forest at the most narrow place, I´m not sure if I´m happy with that or not. Should have sent him to the right maybe...but then he might have gone out on the road instead...he hates to be tight on top. Don´t think I hit the cross gate with any of them...I don´t remember any points or placing anymore, so I assume we must have been crap...

Continental - and Nordic -championship qualifications at Kotikoskis

The judge was Patrick Byrnes from Ireland. The trial course was over two fields with a big ditch between, with a bridge for the sheep to come over in the middle and one on the left side for the dogs, if they see it..It´s a lot of water in the ditch so the dogs have to swim if you send right. If you send left, you won´t see if the the dog doesn´t go over the ditch, before it´s too late and it crosses. The sheep were set out quite close to the outletting, so there wasn´t much room on the left side, much more room on the left side.
Saturday
I sent both dogs right and they had good outruns. Missed both gates with Rhy, I just couldn´t see. For Coel I borrowed LittleLeenas (Vaarasto) glasses, still missed the cross gate. Felt very dissapointed with myself, what the hell has happened...I can´t "feel" if I´m hitting the gate anymore at all

Sunday
I think I missed the gates AGAIN with Rhy, he didn´t take my whistles, close work good. I was really down, felt I can´t be around anyone, I would only spoil other peoples day. First I thought I´ll just leave, but managed to make myself to stay. Took the dogs and rested at the sauna cottage, until it was Coel´s turn. He had a good start, one misunderstanding at the second gate, but the sheep had continued quite okay, even if it felt terrible with panic whistling. Close work good, even I felt I didn´t get any hold of the sheep. I had the feeling that I had run really crap, and I just wanted to go home. Anki asked why I was so upset, when I told her she answered that she had checked and Coel was in the lead. Whaaat?! I couldn´t understand at all... Well, thankfully Leena had filmed it, and it was actually a good run, except for the panic whistling at the second gate. Coel won. Next day I went to Instrumentarium and ordered own glasses.

I can see, I can see :-)

 Norway

Knivebakken
Before the last qualifications, me. Leena, Jonna, Linda  drove to Norway for training, Minna and Santeri went via Karin and JoAgnars trial and joined us the next day...
I had felt like I had lost something, that I couldn´t do proper runs at all anymore, I couldn´t figure out why... I hoped that Jaran Knive would be able to help me realize what was missing.
Before the first training day, we went to train to Cathinka. She hadn´t came home from UK yet, so her sister came and brought us the sheep. It was really hot, so we gave the dogs a short run with alpacas watching us, after that we took the dogs swimming.

Curious alpacas

It was so hot in the middle of the day, so we decided to start training at 6 in the morning. Jaran´s sheep were in the forest, first day we managed to find about 15, he had beautiful hilly big fields. I was really excited and a bit nervous, I thought that he was a bit scary and afraid I wouldn´t understand the language well enough.
Jaran was straight, really straight. He said what he saw, and then it was up to you if you listened, even to the things he didn´t say. In his opinion, without a dog that isn´t a good listener, its´almost impossible to run well enough, especially on the level where every point is important.

Anja, you have got a problem!

He said that he thinks the dog has to be sensitive away from sheep, but tough enough towards sheep. If the dog is not listening or bothered away from sheep, it won´t be a good listener on sheep.
The first thing he said about Rhy was, your dog is not very obedient is he? No, he is not. The next day he said that it might be that he is not that stubborn, he is just very keen, but the fact is that he isn´t a listener. True. Now I understood even better, what the difference between a real listener (Coel) and the other one (Rhy) is. I also realized even better (Simon Mosse has told me the same thing), that I sometimes just starts to drive something somewhere, I don´t have a proper plan or picture of what I´m gonna do. I have to be much more exact, now I understand, so now I have to do it as well. Always.

Having a break and chatting, Jaran with Bea and Beri

Minna running Heili

We also talked about the importance to have someone to look up to, if you don´t have anyone you can watch in your own country, an other working thing is to have a group who train together and try to solve problems together.
One of the best things was to see him train his young dogs, Bea and Beri. Wow. Now I realized something I hadn´t done before, the difference between driving slow with good pace and to really be in control of the sheep. The man is a genious.


Saturday afternoon we went out for a meal and a drink...hilarious time we had.

Me and Jonna had just seen a pic of our selves in my camera...

Me and Leena

 

Me and Leena took a selfie outside Drammen Hotel and put it on FB, next minute Alex Fyhr and Arne sand invited us to train with them.
Alex is working for Jon Sand, a big farm with a historical beautifu house. We had a cup of tea and got to run our dogs on a nice quite steep hill field. Jon and Alex showed us their promising young dogs as well

Jon Sands farm

Watching Jon training

Arne´s home field

Next afternoon we went to Arne´s farm. Wow. A brilliant shed with all equipments you could ask for, whole place very tidy and spot on, nice field where you could see everything. Arne had to go and give a ski´ng lesson, but left us to train on his sheep. It was really appreciated, now we had the opportunity to practise the things we had got from Jaran.

Super equipment

Norway is our Nordic own Wales, amazingly beatuiful and a lot of really nice people. Thanks Norway, we´ll defenitely be back!

Halikko, last qualifications for the team 2016 (Continental and Nordic)Judge was Simon Mosse from Ireland. The course was on a slopy field down towards a little stream. Outrun about 300m, after the lift, you couldn´t see the sheep for about 50m. The sheep had a strong draw back to the outletting, so it was interesting to stand and wait where the sheep would turn up...if they would turn up.

After my break down at the last trials, I had been to Anne Talvitie a couple of times, she has helped me to find a way to relax and find the right focus on the course. This would be the first trials after that.
Both dogs and me run very well. I felt we had control and felt very confident all the time, everything went so easily. Coel won the first day and Rhy was fourth, the second day Rhy won and Coel was fourth. This meant that Coel won the qualifications over all and Rhys was sixth, both dogs in the team. And for the second time I would have the honor to be the captain for the Finnish Team.
And on top of all, Leena, Jonna and Minna made the team as well! Happy happy happy!

Coel singles

Coel shedding

Rhy single

Finnish Team 2016

Coming up; Continentals 2016 and UK 2016