Off we went again to Ireland for the Munster circuit..myself with Isla and Eula and Jane with Harvey and Kane her German Shorthair Pointer. We caught the 02.45 ferry from Fishguard and arrived in Rosslare at 6.30 Sunday morning, followed by a 90 minute drive down to the first show at Clonmel.

The weather was mixed with showers and sunshine, but we did manage to miss the rain for the showing – so that was good. Eula won Open Bitch and Isla, handled by Jane was 3rd. Harvey won Champion Dog and the dog Green Star – he also went Best of Breed, and Kane Received the Green Star and Res. Best of Breed in GSP's, so a good start to our holiday. After the show we headed south to our cottage, where once again the owner had arranged for us to use the big paddock and again the dogs loved it. The only downside this year was the length of the grass about 9 – 12 inches high, so we spent a lot of time looking for lost balls!!

Monday was a day of rest following our long long journey from home. We spent the day with the dogs so that they had some free time to run, and generally just 'mill about'. We went into Kilarney in the evening for our meal, which we did most nights that we were there – you don't go on holiday to cook!

Tuesday was the Kilarney show, which this year had a change of venue. For us it was a 15 minute journey, but we still left plenty of time to get there early, to get a good spot for the tent and as it turned out for the parking too, as this proved a problem for some people as they were having to park up to 3 fields away and judging was delayed at least twice to allow these people to get into the show ground and they were not happy, not sure that would go down well in the UK either, but hopefully, like with all new venues the committee will have this sorted out better for next year. Once again Eula won Open bitch and this time Isla was 2nd, Eula also received the Res. Green Star. Harvey also received the Res. Green Star as did Kane.

Wednesday was another free day, that started off with a trip to the vet as Isla had an upset stomach , that turned out to be an experience as they didn't accept credit cards, and I didn't have any cash on me – thankfully Jane did, so between us we managed to pay the bill. After we had sorted out the dogs we visited the Gap of Dunloe which is beautiful it was formed by ice cutting it's way thought the mountains, and on a clear day it's lovely and fortunately we had another lovely day.

Thursday was Limerick show and also the ESSC of Ireland show. At the main show Limerick – Isla won Open bitch with Eula 2nd, Harvey got the GS and Res. Best of Breed, at the club show Eula let her self down by pacing (God!!) and was 2nd in Open with Isla 3rd, Harvey again got the GS, and was Res. Best in Show. However – the surprise of the day was Kane – not only did he get the GS and BOB he was also group 2 – well done to the lovely boy.

The day was rounded off with a meal with other fellow exhibitors and friends, we spent a lovely evening having a good craic and a drink or two !

Friday was our last free day, and the weather wasn't very good, we decided to go to Ladies View on the Ring of Kerry, buy when we arrived it was raining and the view was non existent – so we turned to plan B which was to have a look around Kilarney Cathedral. We had seen it many times but not been inside – however when we got there, there was funeral taking place – so, we did what we do best and had lunch!! In the evening we met up with our other friends Mark and Jonathan who have Pointers and had a lovely meal and another good craic!!

Saturday, saw us packed up and heading for home, but not before we had spent the day at our last show in Ireland, Tralee. Once again Eula won Open with Isla 2nd and Eula received the Res. Green Star today so a nice end to our week. Harvey got the Dog Green star and Res. Best of Breed and Kane was 2nd in his class. After the show we made our way back to the ferry and the journey home – which we did via the Welsh Kennel Club Show. We got a Bed and Breakfast in Fishguard so we had some sleep before our onward journey to the Royal Welsh Showground.

We arrived in good time at the show, we had entered both Kane and Isla, really just because they was with us and it's so expensive to enter 'not for competition' we decided to enter them anyway. Kane was in first, but wasn't placed in his open class, then the Springers and Harvey was 3rd in Open, Eula 4th in Limit Bitch and Isla 4th in Open bitch.

After the show we loaded up and headed home arriving at around 8 O'clock Sunday Evening.

1500 miles covering three countries, and another Munster circuit comes to and end.....roll on next year