THOUGH I say it with gritted teeth, it was good to be back in Nefyn for the opening agricultural show of the North Wales season.
It’s in a great location, is sound underfoot and has accommodating section secretaries (my thanks to Anwen and Gwen, as always). So why do I always regard the event with a certain dread?
To get to the show means a trip along the length of the A55. Every year, on the journey home, it’s a recurring nightmare as you go bumper to bumper with thousands of caravans and cars with duvets stuffed against back windows.
The only solution is to go cross-country on the back roads with all the other locals.
Slower, but at least you get home before daybreak.
On Monday, sea fog rolled across the Nefyn showground before dispersing by lunchtime. Show secretary Eirian Hughes was delighted: the fog encouraged holidaymakers to attend her event rather than disappearing off to the beach.
The inter-breed sheep final was bathed in bright sunshine. Short-sleeve weather. It was warm but everyone breathed out frosty clouds - quite eerie, really.
Sheep judging at Nefyn is an intimate affair. Visitors are free to mingle with exhibitors in the sheep lines and inspect the different breeds on show.
As I watched, two people with dogs wandered up, quite oblivious to the panic setting in among the sheep and their owners. One elderly woman strolled casually amongst the sheep, her collie making the animals recoil in alarm.
Several exhibitors shook their heads, others tut-tutted.
We may have the Countryside Code but it seems many dog owners still don’t realise that mutts don’t mix with sheep.
Meinir Jones wrote...
I think I was one of the sheep owners tut-tutting and head shaking! Whilst I applaude the informality of the show and enjoy educating the visitors about our breed, as it is the lesser known Torwen, the ignorance of some of these dog owners is beyond belief. Much time and effort is put into preparing the sheep, not just on the day, for some it starts Jan 1st with shearing and housing. Maybe they should come along and see the time and cost involved then maybe they could appreciate why the much loved collie was so frowned upon.
Posted by: Meinir Jones | May 20, 2008 9:44 AM