THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

17 August 2013

CHAGFORD SHOW 2013


I am well known for wearing the wrong clothes, and yesterday was a classic example. Up on the moor, there was a thick mist and I assumed, given the recent heavy rain, that the showground would be a sea of mud and that I should don my wellies and some serious waterproof layering. As you can see from the picture below, taken as we left the show, it was seriously hot. My three layers plus coat and winter socks to stop thin-sock-welly-slippage, were a grave error. Within thirty seconds of leaving the car, the coat was off and round my waist. None of the other layers could be removed without public offense or carrying them, along with the camera and its needless waterproof coat and my bag which I have to carry with my blood tester, insulin and sugary things. Just once, I'd love to go out carrying nothing, but I know that's not possible. I seem to be descending into a moaning session so I'll stop right there and leave you to imagine the amount of sweat and grumpiness that accompanied our schlep around the show.


Hot day and dry ground - NO wellies required


Vintage tractors and a dog's bum


Vintage cars. Trying to stop OB touching them was a challenge


Fabulous little steam engine


Exhibitors sitting with their cars and engines



There were a LOT of people there. For a small town, it's quite a big show


The craft tent


Competitive eggs


Winning novelty flower arrangement 


Champion decorated biscuits


More flower arranging


Super-carrots


Someone's onions are significantly more impressive than the rest!


Courgettes and marrows


Serious scrutiny


Cake.....


Seriously flagging


Some kind of pony class - without a schedule, it's impossible to tell what class is going on. They looked cobby to me


Donkey rides


More ponies


Judging ponies


The Ferris Wheel; OB went on this twice and, as you can see, it wasn't cheap




Grey Faced Dartmoors


Nor sure what this one was but its horns are so impressive


First class cow

For the £7.50 it costs to get in, I always feel slightly let down. Is that a terrible thing to say? It seems the same every year and with not a great deal for OB to do. I say this particularly because today we went to Throwleigh (and Gidleigh) Fete, which is a tiny affair in aid of the Throwleigh village hall. We live in Gidleigh Parish but only just, and the road to our house goes nowhere near Gidleigh. However, as the crow flies or, in years gone by, the horse trots, we are closer to Gidleigh village than Chagford. We had a much better time there and spent considerably less money! The highlight of the Chagford show for me, was meeting the paramedic who was in the Devon Air Ambulance that rescued me when I broke my neck and back almost exactly two years ago. I was able to thank him personally for saving my life which was fantastic. 

I took this picture of Jack and Snippet yesterday which is a bit scary. Amazingly, Jack has not a mark on him, despite the constant play fighting. Snippet's cheeks however, are scabby and going nasty; I spent a delightful quarter of an hour this afternoon cutting his matted fur and dousing him with TCP. Trip to the vet's on Tuesday for both of them. 


Until next time, here they both are, both slightly out of focus I notice having blown them up. Sorry - I'm slacking! have a great Sunday. 




39 comments:

  1. Good grief Em, Snippet's teeth!!

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    1. Terrifying aren't they? Such a sweet dog but the inner devil is there somewhere.

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  2. I get the exact same thing, I try to wear the correct things and end up getting it completely wrong! I think I need to take something for every season and I may be in with a chance of wearing the right thing one of these days!!
    Still, it would seem that they literally did take the coat off your back with the price of that ferris wheel...What!

    I hadn't realised you had broken your back and neck, I know you have mentioned being out of action back along, but I wasn't sure exactly the injury. How horrendous, but so good that help came as it did. Our daughter has a friend at her yard who works for the Air Ambulance, small world. Or is that just Devon for you, somebody always knows somebody who knows somebody :)


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    1. Nigel was the air ambulance man. They are amazing and I still can;t believe they have to do all that fund raising. They should be part of the NHS.

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  3. What a great, traditional day. Your pen drawing of the dog reminds me of one of mine. Lovely post - so British.

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    1. I'll have to search your blog for pics of the dog. It is VERY British, but not all of it the side of Britain I like!

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  4. I recognise the 'let down' feeling - I remember local A&P shows being magnificent affairs which kept me amused for hours, and the one we went to a couple of years ago seemed tame by comparison. I think it's just one of the tricks age plays on us. I made a resolution not to say "back then ..." any more, it seemed that I could have said it a million times a day!

    Goodness, aren't those play fights realistic!! That pup doesn't know his place ... or perhaps that's exactly what he's trying to establish. Poor Snippet!

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    1. Taking the dogs didn't help matters as most of the tents didn't allow them in. they were pulling constantly and wanting to talk to other dogs,who didn't want to talk to them! Next year we'll either not bother going, or leave them at home.

      Jack is gradually learning his place, but, despite the teeth, he's being to gentle at the moment I think.

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  5. This more or less voices my thoughts on our local Wensleydale Show Em - it is also the same every year. It is held within walking distance of our farm, so unsuitable clothing could easily be taken home again. But I do agree about if being the same every year. I shall not be going this year (next Saturday) as the trouble I am having with my ankle means I can't walk round easily. The farmer is happy to go alone as it means he can talk farming to every one he meets - and enjoy a pork pie free lunch at his feed merchants!!
    I didn't know about your diabetes, nor did I know about your accident. I have to say it makes me feel a lot better to know that others have this kind of thing to cope with. (Hope that doesn;t sound selfish - it isn't meant to)
    Actually your photographs are so informative and make the whole thing look really interesting to someone who hasn't seen it all before.

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    1. It doesn't sound selfish at all. Pain can be a very lonely thing, so knowing others understand is a help. Just human nature I think.

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  6. I enjoyed your tour of the Chagford show. You took some terrific photos of it. But I agree, many country shows can be a bit predictable, can't they? - while I grew up with village fetes and have a soft spot for those.
    I'm really sorry to hear you had such a nasty accident, but meeting the paramedic again does sound a special moment.

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    1. I probably wouldn't be writing this blog if I hadn't had the accident. I was looking for something to replace riding!

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  7. This fair is so ENGLISH! Craft Halls, carrot-judging, flower-arranging, wellie-wearing and formally-attired old gents all had me laughing! The locals may find it repetitive, but tourists would have a blast!

    Shocked to read about your broken neck and back - what a frightening ordeal to go through. Glad you are better and that you have so much gratitude to your rescuers :-)

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    1. You're right Christian, it is quintessentially English and the tourists there were enjoying it enormously. The beer tent was extremely busy with bored locals!

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  8. I'm not a fan of these types of shows and have avoided them ever since we went to the Great Yorkshire Show-I didn't enjoy it or the traffic queues. However Em the pics are great and really portray the life of these types of shows. I love the Grey Faced Dartmoors and the competitions for best cake, veg etc. That straw hen is fabulous. I hope the naughty boys are ok at the vets-sharp puppy teeth can hurt so much, poor Snippet!

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    1. I loved that hen too. Better than most of the exhibits, although the produce tent is definitely the most entertaining.

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  9. Can sympathise with wearing the wrong clothes as its something I often do myself!

    I keep meaning to go each year to our local Agricultural Show but never ever get round to it so it was interesting to see all your great photos - you really capture the atmosphere.

    So sorry to hear of your horrendous back and neck injury but pleased you had chance to thank the person who did so much to help.

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    1. I bought a lot of raffle tickets from them and now OB is under the illusion that we have a good chance of winning a new Mazda car to replace the ailing Megane, of which he is deeply ashamed. I fear he will be very disappointed.

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  10. it seems to be a cars exhibition! this is rally cool wonder full cars ! em gonna share this to my car financing in houston

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  11. Ref top pic. Was the dog's bum vintage,or was he placed in the wrong class?!
    Jane x

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    1. Ref pic three NOT top pic...duuuuuuur!
      Jane x

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    2. He was pretty vintage actually...lots of aging hairy Jack Russells there for some reason!

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  12. Having worn the wrong clothes recently (oh boy, did I?!) and having had to buy thin cool clothing in two charity shops, I can sympathise . . .

    I think the pony class in the photo was Mixed Mountain and Moorland (looked like a Welsh Cob with the gent on it). I am with you about such shows tending to be "sameish" - I can go to our two local shows in my head every year (even remember the entrants in the horse and pony classes, as they are the same year in, year out!)

    I enjoyed seeing Chagford Show though - as I haven't BEEN to that before!

    Snippet looks like a PIRANHA in that photo!!!

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    1. He does doesn't he? I'm assuming the worrying length of those teeth was created by a blurring effect. Either that or he has some kind of inner demon. He's too young to have watched 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

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  13. Oh I love fair days like this. Had one a couple of weeks ago around here. : )
    Impressive onions!! Like that rooster!!

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  14. Some of those vintage car exhibitors don't look very inviting to talk to! They look like they'd rather not be there.

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    1. Only if you want to talk about their car....in enormous detail. Luckily O
      B is completely obsessed with cars, so he manages to get them to crack a smile.

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  15. Wow! What wonderful photos! It may have been a letdown for you but your photos really caught the gist of what was there. Hard to pick the best one! I think I enjoyed them so much because it is so different from here. We had our Country Fair several weeks ago and it was dusty, dirty, little to look at, no rides-you catch my drift. The highlight for the locals is the demolition derby. I stopped going several years ago. Not into demolition derbies.

    I can relate about dressing wrong and then always having to carry things.

    My, what teeth. Hope both are okay.

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    1. I'm not surprised you don't like the DD's having just looked up what's involved! I think OB would like them though.......boys.

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  16. Those puppy teeth are mighty sharp. Poor Snippett. It's tough being the big brother sometimes.

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    1. He does start it half the time, so it's his own fault. I hope the vet will have some advice!

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  17. Love the fair photos ! The winning carrots were beautiful and I love the onions in the little pots. I don't think they won though.
    Jack is very handsome and Snippet is very funny in that photo. Sometimes when I take photos of thehamish and he moves the teeth always look so huge.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I'm not sure who won that one, I just thought the onions looked so funny in their pots.

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  18. Wow, Interesting fair! how many colorful and useful things are available at one place, looking nice in the photos. so love its. really, i also like the fairs and festivals.
    such a great experience. thanks for sharing....

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  19. Looks like fun but these affairs can be solo expensive, I have to say the smaller the better for me these days!

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    1. Completely agree. Am thinking of holding one in the garden next year instead!

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  20. I'll come if you get a hen show, love hens, my wish is to have several hen houses with different types ;) I do sympathise with your diabetes, my son has type 1 also and though there is always access to all the equipment I just wish they would find an answer with stem cells.

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    1. Absolutely, although I fear stem cell research will come too late for me! I would love to use one of those probes that continuously test your sugar levels but they're ridiculously expensive. I should talk to my GP about it though.

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