Pippa The Gun Dog

A beating weekend

2010-12-19T09:32:00.004Z

Well I have to say its been chilly the last few days, we were asked to do some beating at Luton Hoo on Friday, there was a nice sunrise then by 10.30 the snow came in, we had a nice lunch in the warm beaters hut then one last drive before home for supper.

Then out again Saturday at Gorhambury, its a busy life for working girls during the season.

We thought we would be late but were almost the first there so a quick sniff round to see what was going on then some hanging around for the guns to get on there pegs and we were off.

1st drive was pretty good chilly but fun then by 10.30 the snow started. We didn't stop for lunch as it got heavier and heavier but lots of interesting smells and the birds went up well after Treacle and I flushed them up.

Out again Wednesday when more snow is expected.

Happy Christmas from Pippa & Treacle

Beating & Picking Up

2010-10-26T10:55:00.003+01:00

Had a good day last Saturday, we were a bit thin on the ground for beaters but Treacle and I managed OK with lots of running around to get the birds moving, the weather stayed sunny with a bit of a wind chill and as we ended up picking up at the end of the drives as well it was a bit tiring but good fun.

So when we got home we had a nice bowl of meat and biscuits and then had to snooze on the sofa.

Wildfowling

2010-09-20T09:09:00.001+01:00

This was the end of the day or in fact early morning after our duck and goose wildfowling event

Not long till the season starts

2010-07-22T14:29:00.005+01:00

Well just to let you know I have been on holiday after last season and will be commencing my fitness regime for the start of the season with my daughter Treacle.

There are a few new faces in town with a young contender called "Dolly" she needs roughing up a bit as she keeps nicking sticks but she is still a whipper snapper so will be forgiven.

I will keep things up to date from now

Bye for now

Pippa

The season rolls on

2010-01-13T14:39:00.002Z

Well I havnt been out as much as I would have liked this season something about other things to do but I was out last weekend at Gorehambury and boy was it chilly with all the snow.

Treacle is comming along well and I have managed to get her to do the dog work :) she is very good on the beating line and that leaves me to pick up the birds. I had a compliment from the game keeper on a long retrieve, I market it on the other side of the field and stopped it running off. A good day with fun in the snow too.

I will let you know how this weekend goes too.

Bye for now

Pippa XXX

Gorehambury Beating 10 th Oct 2009

2009-10-11T15:44:00.007+01:00

Treaky and I got up early today but it looked a bit misty so I thought it might rain later. As the morning went on the clouds cleared and the rest of the day was warm and sunny.

The morning drives all went well with Partridge flying out towards the guns, we could here lots of shots and when we got to the end of the drives there were plenty of birds to pick up.

We stopped for lunch and had a rest in the new (old) Landrover, its really good with plenty of room to lounge around in. Then we checked to see if any of the other beaters had left any food and had a ham sandwich. Treaky is behaving well but gets a bit frustrated when I go off and pick up. But I had a chat with her while we waited for the afternoon drive to start and she was fine for the rest of the day. We got a brace of partridge to take home and will see how much of them we get to eat when they are cooked. Then to the pub for a beer (we only got water) then off home for some dinner and a well earned sleep.

The 2009 season begins

2009-09-23T12:19:00.005+01:00

Well Saturday the 19th was the first day of my season and this time I took Treacle with me, I have to say she was well behaved, but did start to run after a rabbit because the other guns dogs were. I will let her off this time but that will have to be the last time.

It was a good day but a little hot later on, I think it got up to about 23 c so we had to drink lots of water.

Roll on the rest of the season.

The end of the season

2009-03-07T12:57:00.003Z

Well the season has been over for a while now but this is no time to sit around, Treacles training will have to step up a notch to get her in shape for the new season and I have to keep myself in trim.

I have had an article published in the Shooting Gazette telling you all about the season and my and Treacles blog, buy a copy and have a look.

Anyway it is Saturday and I have earnt a rest so when we get some training in I will keep you all up to date.

Back soon

LOL

Pippa & Treacle

22nd November at Holtsmere

2008-11-23T15:54:00.008Z

We borrowed Pauls Landrover today which is a bit chilly but fun to drive around in, it was cold when we arrived but very sunny again, a -2 wind chill, lucky I have a nice fur coat.

There was a lot of shooting going on, I think some 600 shots and we only bagged about 81 birds. oops.

I picked up 35 pheasant and 3 partridge today and a couple of those were runners, all good fun I thought.

I had a sausage for 11's and was told lunch was a Venison stew with baked potato's, maybe I will get some next time.

A tiring day but there was a nice sunset when we finnished.

Holtsmere End 14th November

2008-11-23T15:30:00.005Z

Well the weather was very sunny all day a bit too much for the guns early on, I took treacle along today and she was well behaved, (most of the time).

There was a total bag of 99 birds and I managed to pick up 32 Pheasant and 5 partridge.

We got left in the car at lunchtime this is me, treacle and our friend Harvey, I hear romours that they were drinking wine and a 10 year old tawny port to finnish, I had biscuits and a drink of water!!!

Then the final drive but we had to go back and find some more birds befor we finnished.

We all had a good day and finnished off in the 3 BB's with a beer and Treacle and I had a snooze.

Holtsmere End Shoot

2008-11-06T10:18:00.003Z

I was invited to pick up at this local shoot and what a nice bunch of people, 11s were nice with soup and sausages and some sloe gin, I only got 1 sausage though.

The first drive went well and I managed to catch a runner, then i picked up a few more fallen birds.

After a few drives we went back for lunch, I had to wait in the car though, they had carpet on the floor and I was a bit muddy, and I think I pulled a muscle in my leg but managed to carry on to the end.

I managed to pick up 15 brace of pheasants, 1 Jay and a pigeon, not bad I thought and an excellent day all said, then home to the naught Treacle and some supper.

A picking up Day At Copt Hall Farm

2008-10-23T15:40:00.006+01:00

Well we had a frosty start to the day but the sun stayed with us all day. I even took Treaky along to show her what I do and have to say she behaved very well for her first shoot day, I had to leave her with Roy when I was off picking up.

But at the end of the day I found 6 brace of Partridge and 10 brace of Pheasant's.

One of them did land on Paul's landrover but I think we will keep that a secret.

Still on Partridge

2008-10-13T15:07:00.003+01:00

Well I was out a week ago and had to leave treacle at home as she is not quite up to standard.

So here are few pictures of the day.

The Partridge Season Begins

2008-10-01T11:59:00.004+01:00

This is me and Treacle at Loch Fyne on our holiday in Scotland but now the season down here in the South has started and I have been out once! I only managed to pick up 4 brace of Partridge as I was beating.

I had to miss last week too so I have been training hard as I have been invited to pick up on a local shoot later in the month.

I will get some pictures for you for next week and keep you all up dated

The CLA 2008

2008-08-11T09:33:00.007+01:00

Well we went to the CLA at Blenheim and what a sunny weekend it was, I have to say a bit hot, up to 30 degrees and I only had my black coat with me.

I did a few Scurry's but the dummies were not that interesting, give me a running Pheasant any day.

Treacle was well behaved and we introduced her to shooting on the clay line, she doesnt quite understand it but she wasn't bothered by the gun fire, in fact she slept through most of the shooting.

We went with Tilly the Tornado who as you see seemed to think I was a seat!

Well the Grouse season starts tomorrow so we are heading up North next week to do a few days picking up.

I will keep you up todate.

See you all soon

Pippa & Treacle XXX

Swimming Lessons

2008-07-17T16:32:00.004+01:00

Well they have to learn, I took the kids, Treacle & Branna swimming the other day and I have to say they took to it like a lab to a pond :)

Branna is off home tonight so it will be just me and Treacle, ahhh peace and quiet, well almost.

Well I'm off for a walk later so see you all soon.

LOL

Pippa

XXX

The winds of change

2008-07-09T14:35:00.005+01:00

Well, we have had some issues Barnie had to come home for a while and Branna is here on holiday for 10 days so no peace for me for a while, then Barnie has gone up to Penrith as he has found a new family to look after.

I will see most of the kids on a regular basis but it is peaceful when there is only the one

Im off to the CLA game fair at the end of the month so will be practicing my retrieving over the next few weeks

See you all soon

LOL

Pippa Skipper Dubh Caileag

Then there was One

2008-06-26T09:04:00.002+01:00

Well all the kids have gone except Treacle who will be staying with me, she is going to be a gundog too so I am going to train her. She is a bit naughty at the moment but we will keep a careful eye on her and get her up to scratch.

I'm going up North in August to see how Mack is getting on and will probably stop off on the way to see Barnie.

See you all soon

LOL

Pippa & Treacle

xxx xxx

First there was 7 Now only 3

2008-06-15T18:48:00.004+01:00

Well time has flow by and my pups are heading off for their new lives, I have to say I dont miss the suckling but It is quite a wrench when they go.

I will put on a brave face and know I will be seeing most of them soon, naughty Treacle will be staying with me, Mack is of up to Durham, Barnie in Stratford, Iddy and Branna are only in the next village and Geordie has gone to Birmingham.

See you soon kids

LOL

Pippa

XXX

Puppy News

2008-06-10T08:19:00.003+01:00

Well the kids are growing up now, I have managed to teach them important things, like how to get on the sofa, how to chew people affectionatly while you are teething and how to escape from you pen and play in the lounge. Idris and Brenna will be leaving home this week and Ghillie is off to his new home next saturday.

I will keep you up todate, bye for now Pippa xxx

Not more Puppy News!

2008-05-20T14:17:00.005+01:00

Just a couple more pics as the pups are now eating and drinking, less burden on me. Treacle has even taken to my marrow bone!!! She will have to get her own though.

Getting Bigger

2008-05-14T09:02:00.004+01:00

Well due to the size of my pups we have had to move to a larger house, they have all put on another 1/2 pound in a week and are getting more active by the day. They should be getting weaned over the next week so less work for me.

Puppy up date

2008-05-06T09:45:00.002+01:00

Well they seem to be feeding lots and today some are opening there eyes so I think they might get up to mischief but I will keep them in order.

They seem to enjoy sleeping which is good for me.

More Puppy Pics

2008-04-28T12:51:00.006+01:00

Here are some more pics of my litter 5 boys and 2 girls and boy are my nipples sore!

I have started to go for a walk in the morning now the wet grass is very cooling on those sore bits.

The 2 in the middle on the right are the girls

Im also getting steak and rice and I had chicken and rice last night. Yum Yum.

Pippas Puppys

2008-04-23T11:41:00.003+01:00

Well I decided to have some pups last night, I started at about 11.00pm and managed to keep everyone up till 3.00am, then they fell asleep on the sofa.

When they woke up at 4.40 am I had all 7 babys not bad for a first effort.

So I have to go now and look after the little devils, see you all soon

Lots of Love

Pippa

XXX

My Pregnancy

2008-04-17T12:56:00.004+01:00

Well all seems to be going fine, I must have doubled in size and its not just all the food I have been eating, only another week to go so they think :)

I must get some rest now its very tiring been pregnant

Could be Pups on the way!

2008-03-28T12:34:00.003Z

Well it's 5 weeks since my asignation with Bramble and I seem to be putting on weight, so the vet told me there could be a least 6 pup's on the way.

Lets just hope they are all as good looking as me.

I will keep you all up dated as to how I am getting on.

I did get to the Kelmarsh Game fair at the weekend but there were to many interesting smells to get serious about the dummys

I dont suppose I will be allowed to go out shooting this weekend, :(

Guess I will just have to take it easy for the next few weeks and make do with walks.

End of the season and possible pups

2008-03-20T15:47:00.003Z

Well the season has been over for a month or so and I have to say Saturdays are a bit boring at the moment but I must be growing up because I might be having pups in a months time, but thats not going to stop me going out.

Here is a picture of my stud

I have to visit the Kelmarsh gamefair this weekend and have a go in some of the scurries just to keep me fit

So back soon to let you know what is happening

A day at Gorhambury (3rd November 07)

2007-11-04T11:30:00.000Z

Well I thought it would be colder now we are in November, but no sunny and warm all day.

I was quite tired at the end after lots of picking up from the river, but I like swimming and it stopped the nettle stings itching, I managed to pick up about 10-15 birds and they are heavy but we have a few to cook up after they have been plucked and gutted, I leave that to my personal chef though.

I had to go and stay with my nan while everone went to the fireworks but she spoils me and I got to sleep on a nice chair.

Bye for now

Back on the Grouse Moor's

2007-10-31T16:30:00.000Z

Well we headed up North to Teedale again on the 27th of October, the weather was a lot better, windy, sunny then foggy but I managed to get seven birds so Iwas happy. We did loose one of the beaters in th fog but thats because they have no sense of smell, or direction, so another good day and I managed to get on the sofa for a snooze when we got back.

See you all soon

Another Day Beating & Picking up

2007-10-21T10:22:00.000+01:00

Well what a nice day it was yesterday a bit warm really but thats OK Well they didnt seem to shoot that much so I only managed to pick up about 6 partridge and a Pheasant and boy did I get stung by some nettles, I had to roll in the mud to stop the itching.

I nearly got the blame for scaring the birds but it wasnt me it was one of the guns dogs running around been naughty

So as usual we stopped in the pub and I manged to curl up on the carpet then back home for a nooze on my chair.

See you soon

Back Beating in Hertfordshire

2007-10-01T15:54:00.000+01:00

Saturday 29th September.

Well it was my first day back on the beating line down south but the weather was a lot better than in Teesdale, I had to stay back quite a lot as as there is not so much space as on the Moors, but I did managed to pick up about 6 brace of Partridge, thats 12 birds to you.

After a long day we managed to get back to the pub so I could have a snooze of the floor, and its got carpet, then when Roy had had a few beers we headed for home so I could have some supper and get back to my armchair.

Sunday 30th September.

Managed to get out again but he was only clay shooting so nothing to pick up, I have to say I prefer the real thing.

On the Grouse Moors of Teesdale

2007-09-25T11:12:00.000+01:00

Well the glorious 12th was on a Sunday so we had to wait to go out but it was an experience, talk about wet and windy but I met some new friends all spaniels on the beating line though.

My Dad only walked about 10 - 15 miles I guess I must have done at least 20, lots of Grouse flying out and when we go to the guns I found about 6 brace and took them back.

A good day I thought then when we got back to the house I managed to curl up on the sofa for a well deserved snooze.

Beta Working Dog Tests

2007-04-20T15:05:00.000+01:00

Well I have just heard today that I got into the Beta dog test so I guess I will have to put in a bit more training, mind you that means I get to go out for more walks :)

A miserable Day

2007-03-24T16:54:00.000Z

Well I have to say there are not many days that I dont enjoy but the weather is pretty miserable which I dont mind during the season because I am out flushing the birds and picking up, although I have been out today doing a bit of practice on the retrieving.

So I guess I will just have to curl up on the sofa and wait for dinner.

2007-02-23T15:35:00.001Z

This is me with my mates Eric & Elliot