Seems ages since I last updated. What with computer crashes, christmas, new year and trying to get my daughter organised for boarding school, time has slipped away.
Not a lot has happened really.
Balto is back at work and loving it.
I worry though, as he is still a tearaway, and getting him to slow down near impossible. I hope the leg holds out until he grows up a bit more
 Balto, first time back on sheep, on new years day.
He loves to swim and will retrieve a toy from the water with glee. It took me ages to get this shake shot as he doesn't keep still long.
The weather has been unbearably hot but recently cooled down after we had an unexpected deluge of 17mils of rain. The rain was lovely, and didn’t do too much harm to the pasture, as there is little feed left now. We are already handfeeding stock, it will be a long dry season unless we get an early break.
In stark contrast to the eastern states, where they have had unbelievable amounts of rain.
Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have suffered loss from this tragedy. I think also of the many animals who were lost. Very sad indeed. Even our northern areas are getting flooding rains.
It seems we are the only dry spot in Australia. Perhaps we are next in line.
Ken and Jenny Atherton put on a new years eve training day and it was great to catch up with friends and have a look at new young talented pups.
There were many but some names and bloodlines escape me. (The dogs not the people, although I really dont know the bloodlines of most people either.)
Photos below.
 Andrew Gortons Kelpie/BC cross. (Ramulam Tony X Boylee Ella)
 Sam Weavers lovely Boylee pup.
 Peter Dougherty's secret weapon for trialing this year.
 One of Ken A's lovely young kelpies.
 And another one.
 Karen BUller's Anzac, full brother to Chloe but a lot bigger.
 Andrew Gorton and Doreen Hansen with (I think) an Alboa Ben X Jandoree Molly pup.
 Andrew and Wendy Gorton, filling in as grandies for Kate Mcguire.
I am pleased with my young pups. Chloe seems to have passed through a really feral uncontrollable stage and after a sort out is working well. A bit sticky at times but showing some nice moves. She does come in a bit tight at the top of her flank but all dogs have a fault of some sort, so I think I can work through it.
Ginger is coming through a very soft slow stage but starting to fire up a bit now.
Blondie too is looking good.
Blondie, working nicely for Sam.
My older dogs dont get much work but I do try to get in a weekly training session.
Sometimes I just cant be bothered, especially it it is hot.
So they just get to play.
As does Sam, with her chooks.
I have also purchased a new camera, finally going up a level to my first DSLR, a Nikon d3100.
Reviews were excellent on this camera so I decided to take the plunge and buy one. The shake shot of Balto was taken with it, but I am still trying to work it out. I really wanted the Nikon d7000 but out of my price range I am afraid.
So hopefully better photos will appear shortly.
| 
