I toddled off to Ian’s yesterday to be a handler on a judge certification course. It was a long old day but beautiful weather, we had to have lots of water as it was so hot, would you believe. There were six handlers, we had to wear our white coats, and pretend it was a real show as far as one can with six classes. You feel sorry for the people trying to certify as they are clearly very nervous and shake a bit in the first class but after that they tend to get more confident. John Dakin was there to film them and then they have the judges Nick Harrington Smith and Val Fullerlove plus Nick Weber as observer, watching their every move – very stressful.
For the handlers it is very interesting as you learn a lot from watching which animals they place where and why. I am slowly beginning to understand more about suris as we have never had many here and have never shown them. I feel reasonably confident about huacayas but know I would never, ever want to be a judge. Gaia Dakalo was over from Italy, she’s a judge and seemed surprised that I had never wanted to be a judge but I am a backroom girl. We had one of our conversations about words as she is a dictionary nerd too.
I went to see a different consultant in Exeter on Tuesday at the new, rather flash, Diabetes Centre. I got very irritated by an auxiliary who kept getting my name wrong and laughed about it a lot which sent my blood pressure soaring. However the consultant was very nice and knew where we lived as he had boughts tons of Vulscombe cheese from our neighbour for his wedding. It was agreed that the services of a dietician were required as I am not getting the balance between carbohydrates eaten and insulin injected right. I have been on the waiting list for the DAFNE course for two years which teaches you over a week how to do this. Miraculously when I got back yesterday there was a message saying they have got room on the course for me in July. At last, some action, thank you.
Alex A –
That’s really good news about the course.
Had my second driving lesson yesterday – was quite good. Having a bit of trouble using the mirrors effectively and am a bit overwhelmed at roads with other cars on. But seems to be all going well.
Lynn –
just goes to show what a good bit of cheese can accomplish you clearly won him over
John Dakin –
Good to see you again Rachel – in good form – Thanks for forwarding the info. from the guy in the States that is trying to research the history/background of the “Dakin” name – It originates from Scandinavia -somewhere – “Minor Aristocracy” – my mother likes to think – but more like “common-as-muck” Another member of the family touts around that we come from some Huguenot strain that arrived in the UK to escape persecution in France. All this is pure conjecture. I don’t have a clue !