I went on holiday this week to Troutal Farm....(See more below)....

Sue and Rose had gone on the train down to Stoneleigh Park and so Archie, Lilly and I had a few days holiday at Troutal Farm with Lilly's Dad, Fox. Troutal is at the north end of the Duddon Valley, above Seathwaite and Fox works the sheep up there for Alan Bradley, who has sheep on the open fell above the valley.

While we were there Fox was showing some children from a local school how to pen sheep. He showed off a bit and also drove some geese through some gates. He is really good at it and some of the chldren got a chance to work with Fox too.

Alan and Chris, his wife, started by doing B&B along side running the farm but so many people were interested in watching Alan working his sheepdogs that he has gradually trained all his dogs to work for anyone. So now he can give people experience of working with a real sheepdog. It has really taken off and he books up four days a week on the sheep dog experience and catches up on the farm the rest of the week. Find out more on their website. http://www.lakedistrictsheepdogexperience.co.uk

You can book a group or a one on one session and its a great christmas present for anyone who is keen on dogs and is interested in learning more about how us dogs can help farmers keep these sheep in line. They have visitors from all over Britain and abroad - this week they had a German couple staying who have been coming for the last three years. I think they must really enjoy it.

While we were there Lilly and I both had a first lesson with Alan to see if he thought we would be able to work sheep. He's a quiet, gentle sort of chap and doesn't say much but he had a big smile at the end so I think we did alright.

See you next week

Scout

PS I've been asked to do a blog for Discover Dogs at Earls Court, in London, next month. I think I'll send Mirk to be the roving reporter on the day as I'm not old enough to go to it, but I expect I'll be able to keep him in line.

You can email me at scout@wellbalancedpup.co.uk or have a look at the well balanced pup family website on the links to the side of the blog.