Trio in season at last!

Well as the title speaks for itself!  After a long wait, she finally came into season after our trip to Windsor - seeing Alfie again certainly seems to have done the trick.

We started to progesterone test on day 8, anticipating a retest on the following Monday (day day 12) and a trip to Alfie mid week.  Sean had as soon as she came into season that we'd end up visiting Alfie on the Saturday.  The children were going to Caldey Island with the youth group that morning, and it was the NSDTR breed seminar that I was booked onto.  We had already organised for Sean to take the children and I was car sharing with Gerald (Cooper's dad) to the seminar.  I had spoken to Gerald as soon as she came into season letting him know that there was a very slight possibility that I might have a problem as we were planning on mating her, hence I might need to change plans regarding the trip. 

Well the progesterone test (Thurs pm) came back at 6.5 ng showing that she had just ovulated and was ready to go! 

Panic stations then ensued with a host of phone calls, quick trips to town for last minute supplies for the children and packing.

We had kindly been offered the opportunity to stay with Meg's (Tilly's daughter) owners, and I  had packed the tent to camp in their paddock.  All was then organised to travel to Lincs to Alfie, then on to Nicola & Charlie's for the night before heading to Leics the following day for the seminar and then home from there. 

Gerald sadly had to travel on his own, and I certainly missed his company on the long journey to Lincs.

The journey to Lincs was long and hot, and took several hours - but eventually we did arrive.  We didn't get the mating that we had hoped, despite the blood results she just didn't appear ready and it was agreed to try again the following day after the seminar.

A lovely meal with Nicola and Charlie, and a good catch up and they were very persuasive in having me stay in a bed and not the tent for the night!  It was certainly more comfortable, and Trio was happy being in her crate in the same room as me.

I travelled to Leics the following day and Nicola and family kindly minded Trio, much nicer than being cooped up in the car for the day.  She certainly had a lovely day from what I was told on my return.  The seminar was really interesting, and with a morning exam and afternoon of critique writing was quite taxing on the old brain. 

It was agreed to meet again with Alfie, which we did after I'd collected Trio.  Sadly I didn't get much chance to catch up with Nicola and Charlie, and the cup of tea from Charlie was much appreciated before I headed off again.  To our relief we managed to get a mating, and a tie of 15 mins!! 

A long drive home then to finally reach my own bed shortly before 2am!

Our local club show took place on the Saturday, sadly we had to miss this as we had already booked the seminar which was such a shame as they now put on classes for both breeds.  We were delighted to be told that Eve's sister Bron - Seahaven Gloriana won BoB (only entry) but then went on to be placed in the gundog group!

We now have to be patient and wait to have Trio scanned at 4 weeks, at least it's nearly one week down.