NEWBOTTLE MANOR 2007
 

     The usual good turn out of dogs and handlers met for the annual December meet, greeted by a bright December sun. This year we were also joined by Pat and Peter Huskins with Ivy and Rosie from the Netherlands, their first taste of a English shoot.

     Pat was incredibly nervous - if she doesn't mind me saying so . I assured her that she needn't be and she quickly realised that it was going to be a very relaxed affair. The ice was soon broken when a fair amount of time was lost rescuing one of the beating team and his Dubarry's from the mud around the lake  during the first drive !

      The dogs worked hard to find their birds and Ivy was doing well amongst them. Due to the earlier delay we were late getting to the last drive and the rain started to  pour down. So a halt was brought to the proceedings and we all trooped back to the house for our traditional lunch.

      This year we were able to admire the wonderful paintings of John Bye, including his latest Clumber work of art Finders Keepers ( see news ) , who had his work displayed in the house for us to see. Hopefully in the future there will be some cards made of his now increasing range of Clumber paintings.

    Glasses were once again raised to the generosity of our very kind hosts.

Thanks to Susie Woods for the photos.

A lovely sunny December day	with a good turn out of Clumbers	Pat and Peter with Rosie and Ivy.	Beware the lake!	All hands to the rescue of the boots.
Jackie and Tor at the end of a drive	Another pause between drives - always time for a chat.