The venue - an off-road challenge for the trusty Berlingo!

What a wonderful day we had today, visiting the Working Bearded Collie Society's Shepherds' Meet, held in a lovely farm venue at Buxworth in Derbyshire. We were blessed with fabulous weather, beautiful scenery and a warm friendly welcome from the working beardie folk and their dogs.

A happy group of typical working beardies

As owners of the only KC Reg Beardies present, Jackie and I wondered how our Diva and Mirk would compare - but we needn't have worried, as they fitted in very well, and thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the herding activity on offer.

Diva working with John Pickett

Diva even had the honour of working with John Pickett, Chairman of the WBCS, and he was quite satisfied with her efforts. Despite the distraction of a stray chicken, intent on sabotaging her run, she remained reasonably focussed and gave it her best shot.  As for the chicken, it refused Diva's gentle push to become a flock member and was kindly but firmly extracted from the pen!

Diva not sure whether she should be herding the chicken or not, and checking for handler feedback!

Mirk also did very well, though a little-overexcited by all the new company he remembered his manners and when called upon to work the sheep was more than happy to oblige!

Resting in the shade with her new young friends Sweep and Abbie

There were some lovely dogs at the farm today, but our special favourites were the Picketts'  two youngsters, especially the bitch puppy Abbie (see her picture below) one we would have been quite happy to have brought home with us!

We intend taking part in further WBCS activities, if they are all as much fun as today's that is.......!