North Somerset Show

Apple Vale Elstar

Eventually, after months of anticipation, our first show of the season arrived on monday, and we set off for The North Somerset Show. It seemed to have been a long time coming, perhaps being absorbed by the weather, or because we were especially pleased about this years show team or because there have already been several shows - anyway, the weather had been settled for several days before, and was forecast to be good on the day, and it certainly was, being dry, breezy and bright, and occasionally warm.

We had a good day: first up was Apple Vale Elstar, Junior Fawn Female - sire: Van Diemen Qjori of Patou, dam: Apple Vale Bramley (sire: CME Centurion). She was placed second in a class of four, all from notable sires.

Next was Golden Delicious, our first cria from a dam born on the farm - we had taken her as company for the others, rather than as a champion-to-be, and was placed second, with Judge Shirley Bettinson praising her, admittedly few, attributes.

Finally, Apple Vale Empress (sire: CME Talon grand-sire: CME Jaqinto) was in the white Junior Female class of nine, again against several progeny of proven sires - placed sixth we weren't too disappointed, as the judges comments and repeated comparisons showed there was little to seperate the placings, and hopefully, on another day, another judge, she will get better placings yet

Apple Vale Empress