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      This is a medium sized steam event & we had split into two groups as it clashed with the Royal Lancs. Show. We
remembered last year when everyone was flooded, this year promised to be a repeat but Ackworth escaped the worst of the rains while the Royal Lancs. was cancelled again.
     The ground at Ackworth was quite wet which caused
problems with trying to move steamers so once again the dogs & carts were one of the few things able to move in the main arena. It was also very windy & the display tent did
suffer a little damage. Barbara hung on to it as it tried to take off & we all battled with the guy ropes & pegs. We were grateful for the help from one of our neighbours for the loan of some large stakes.
     We had Barbara & Barry, Gary & Lin, Michael & Hilary &
ourselves camping with Pam & Dave & Louise & family
visiting for the day. This was the first time that Louise's dog Crystal pulled her cart into the arena & only her second time of pulling a cart but no one would have known it! We even pressed her son & friend into service to handle dogs, Thanks & well done to them!

     This is quite a big parade for a small seaside town & we really enjoy the wonderful reception which the dogs & carts receive. We all try especially hard to have a full Swiss
costume & decorate & polish the carts to look their best. The dogs are beautifully turned out & harnesses & brasses all
polished. Everyone puts in a lot of effort but the oohs & aahs make it all worthwhile.
     There was a sea fret over us in the morning but it did ease off for the parade itself. The crowds turned out in force all to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. We roped in everyone possible including Barbara's grandsons & Pam & Dave's grand-daughter Paige & managed to have all the dogs taking part in the parade.
     Before & after the parade we all display the dogs & carts in the Garden Fete held in the pub grounds. A very enjoyable day.
     It was a very proud day for Elsie who had Smurf in his very own cart for the first time. She couldn't contain her excitement & it was a very special day for her & Smurf.

     This is our biggest and longest event in the Carting
Calendar & can also be the most tiring for our dogs & us. We had the usual fight for display space & camping space. This year our display area was upwind from the steamer's smoke stacks & we managed to keep relatively clean & not all looking like chimney sweeps.
Despite having torrential rain on the Thursday evening our display area was relatively dry & our campers not flooded out. The weather did mean that the Thursday & Friday were quieter than usual but by Saturday the crowds all came in as usual.

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