The Beagle Club of NSW - Sniffing Around Sydney Walks Details

Thanks to Brian and Lesley Childs, Brialey Beagles, Cootamundra, for hosting and organising the weekend.

Details

The township of Cootamundra, where we hold Christmas in July, is located about 4 - 5 hours drive from Sydney. To help you plan your trip, have a look at the information made available by Cootamundra Development Corporation.

For specific details on how to get to Cootamundra from Sydney and join the Christmas festivities, plus where to stay overnight, refer to the latest Information Brochure (older brochures are also available):

Report Sat 12-Sun 13 Jul 2008

Ed: Thanks Monique for this wonderful report, and thanks Matt for your great pictures.

The social event on the beagle calendar has come and gone for another year and was a huge success! 22 beagles and their owners came along from Sydney, Canberra and the NSW North Coast, what a great representation for the club. The weather was perfect sunny and cool.

The activities kicked off at Midday on Saturday with everyone grabbing a quick cuppa before Brian introduced himself and went through the rules, then it was all systems go. We went to various paddocks on the Bimbadeen property where the dogs sniffed the lure which was tied to the back of the quad bike before it took off out of sight leaving a rather smelly trail behind it. We lined the dogs up and on Brian’s command let them loose. What a sight! The beagles took off like rockets following the scent (except for a few young ones which didn’t quite get what all the fuss was about). We did 5 runs and then decided that the beagles and humans needed a rest so we went to Bimbadeen and had afternoon tea. Thank you to everyone who bought a plate to share.

After our break we got in our cars and headed down to Albert Park where we started our walk down the main street of Cootamundra. Brian turned up with 6 of his beagles so that no one missed out on taking a beagle for a walk. One person who wishes he didn’t take one of Brian’s dogs would have to be David. It just wasn’t his weekend. He kindly drove the quad bike on Saturday but in transferring the lure in a bucket from Brian’s house he didn’t realize the bucket had a hole in it and he ended up with the lovely lure smell all over his jeans. After borrowing a pair of jeans and feeling refreshed he kindly offered to take one of Brian’s dogs on the walk down the main street. Just before we set off from Albert Park the dog decided to lift his leg on David’s clean jeans! Everyone found it funny except for David.

After our walk we split up for a few hours before dinner, some people dropped their dogs off at Brian’s for the night where they got to play in the front yard for awhile. I can’t believe they still had the energy. We also got too see some of the puppies Brian has and they were absolutely gorgeous.

Once again the dinner was fantastic with Brian and Lesley providing a three course feast and everyone settled down for the night very content.

On Sunday we met again at Bimbadeen for another 4 runs. On the last run a group of beagles didn’t come back so their owners set off in search of them and found them not too far away snacking on a kangaroo leg. Then we went on a nice ‘off leash’ walk in one of the paddocks (what great views) before having some morning tea and lots of reminiscing of what a great weekend it was and how much we are all looking forward to next year.

In closing I want to say on behalf of everyone that came on the weekend a HUGE thank you to Brian and Lesley for hosting and organising the weekend. Your hospitality is second to none and we all really appreciate the time and effort you put in to making this weekend the most talked about event on the beagle calendar! See you all next year.

Report Sat 12-Sun 13 Jul 2008

For the fifth time, Beagles and their partners gathered at Bimbadeen, on the outskirts of Cootamundra, for the Annual Christmas in July Hunt organised by Brian and Lesley Childs of Brialey Beagles, under the auspices of the Club. Many were from the ACT Beagle Club; others came from Sydney and other places including Newcastle, Lithgow and Nowra. The partners also came for the Dinner on Saturday evening! About 30 Beagles gathered, with some of the old hands quickly recognising what was to happen and barking up a storm! With a few not able to stay, 37 people gathered for the usual delicious Christmas in July dinner.

The weather was ideal: cool and slightly overcast. A cattle ramp had to be negotiated first - a few Beagles danced across it; some tried but had to be rescued; most were carried across it. A quad-bike took off with the lure, the Beagles straining to follow! Then they were OFF! A few Beagles went only about 100 metres, either uncertain about what they had to do or about leaving their domestic pack. Others have been called "Cappuccino Beagles", not used to too much exercise! The rest disappeared into the distance!

It wasn’t long before the first Beagles finished the first of four runs that afternoon, each being about a kilometre. Then after the two-legged people had afternoon tea, all took off on the walk through the main streets of Cootamundra.

Sunday morning saw us gathering at Bimbadeen again for another four runs, longer ones this time. The Beagles did better on this occasion, with one deciding to cover most of the runs a second time! He had a like-minded companion, a young lad, who often took off to round up stragglers (see the photo for the outcome). The morning finished with a leisurely walk in one of the paddocks and a cuppa before most left for home.

Brian announced at the Dinner that this would be the last Hunt they would be organising, for several reasons. Bimbadeen would still be available and they would help anyone willing to take it on. The ACT Club is considering taking on the organising.

Again it was a wonderful weekend, thoroughly enjoyed by both Beagles and humans! Thank you, Brian and Lesley, for initiating the Hunt and doing so much to ensure its success the last five years!

We have lots of extras, such as photos from the 2008 weekend.

extras set 1

Report Sat 7-Sun 8 Jul 2007

Once again, we had another fantastic time at Cootamundra for our annual Christmas in July Scent Weekend. A very approximate breakdown of numbers would be: about 45 people and more than 30 beagles in total; about 20 people and 15 beagles from Sydney; about 18 people and 12 beagles from Canberra; at least two people and one beagle from Newcastle; and a few people and beagles from other locations. This is about the same number of people and beagles as last year, indicating that the weekend is as popular as ever.

Special thanks must again go to Brian and Lesley Childs, Brialey Beagles, Cootamundra, who outdid themselves as hosts for the weekend. Because the numbers last year were so large, this year Brian and Lesley decided to use more of the facilities at Bimbadeen for afternoon and morning teas, and our Christmas dinner, rather than squeezing everyone into their house. This worked out very well. I'm sure Brian and Lesley had numerous helpers, but I'm not sure who they all were, so on behalf of everyone who attended, sincere thanks for helping to make the weekend such a success.

We started the activities about 12 noon on Saturday at Bimbadeen. Brian welcomed us and explained the ground rules for the weekend. Then, ignoring the rain that fell for most of the afternoon and evening, the fun started. We walked to various starting points around the Bimbadeen property, the dogs sniffed the stinky lure at each point, the four-wheel motor bike took off, we lined the beagles up, and then we let them off. The noise was fantastic, it's so much fun to see a group of such enthusiastic dogs howling, barking, woofing, baying, arooing, and so on. Some dogs got the idea right away and realised the idea was to follow the lure, others went for a short run and then came back, others shot off in the opposite direction. After the dogs were thoroughly exhausted, we stopped for some welcome afternoon tea. Rested and refreshed, we all drove to the main shopping area, and walked up and down the main street, with a little extra walk around a park.

We split up for a couple of hours, had a rest, and then returned to Bimbadeen for a fantastic three-course Christmas dinner, served by Brian, Lesley, and some helpful elves. It's worth pointing out, that for one family, it wasn't quite so restful. The reason is that one of their dogs ate some of the stinky lure when it broke in half during the afternoon, and then the poor little beagle spent a lot of time throwing up here and there. Fortunately, the beagle seemed to recover overnight and rejoined the activities next day, seemingly no worse for wear based on her enthusiasm to rejoin the pack.

The weather cleared up on Sunday, as we met up again at Bimbadeen for a few more scent trails and walks around the property. We finished the fun about 11am, for morning tea, and then set off for home with thoroughly exhausted beagles no doubt happy to enjoy a peaceful drive home snoozing in the car. Our Christmas in July Scent Weekend was over for another year, leaving everyone with happy memories of their beagles romping and sniffing through the fields, doing what they do best.

We have lots of extras, such as photos and other goodies from the 2007 weekend - thanks to everyone for sending them.

Report Sat 8-Sun 9 Jul 2006

What a fabulous time at Cootamundra for the annual Christmas in July Scent Weekend. If you weren't there and you enjoy watching beagles having fun, make a date in your diary for next year when we hope to hold it again. The club has held Christmas in July for the last three years and each time it has been bigger and better. This time we had about 50 people and more than 30 beagles. Most came from Sydney but there were also some from Canberra and the local area.

So many attendees meant a lot of work for the organisers. Special thanks must go to Brian and Lesley Childs, Brialey Beagles, Cootamundra, who outdid themselves once again as hosts for the weekend. Reportedly they started planning almost 12 months ago! Thanks must also go to their many helpers. For the beagles, most work was spent preparing the smelly hessian scent bag and deciding on the location of the scent trails. For the humans, most was spent organising the sumptuous Christmas dinner. It was amazing to have such a fantastic dinner in such a wonderful atmosphere for only $11!

We started the fun about 12 noon on Saturday at Bimbadeen. Brian welcomed us and explained the ground rules for the weekend. Then we were off to our first scent trail. We let the dogs sniff the scent bag, and waited while a four-wheel motor-bike was used to drag it around a fenced paddock. We lined the beagles up to the tremendous noise of baying, barking, woofing, and arooing. It was deafening! With a cry of "Tally Ho" and a horn blast, we released the beagles and watched as the pack sorted itself out into the serious sniffers, the learners, and those who didn't have a clue. The first group went around the whole trail, the second had a go but seemed to lose interest, and the third (the party animals) decided to do their own thing.

We did three more scent trails until it seemed the beagles were exhausted, and then adjourned to Brian and Lesley's house for a welcome cup of tea or coffee and a snack. Following afternoon tea, it was time for the Annual Cootamundra Beagle Parade - we drove to the main shopping area and walked up and down the main street. We then had some free time until we met again at Brian and Lesley's for pre-Christmas nibblies and drinks. For dinner, a few rooms had been completely rearranged to create some very packed eating areas. We were given strict instructions not to move around too much and then just watched in amazement as the three-course meal was served.

On Sunday we met about 9am for some more scent trails. It seemed that a few more beagles had picked up what they were supposed to do, and once again it was great fun to see them running and sniffing and having so much fun. We finished off the morning activities with a long walk around a paddock and watched as the beagles raced here and there sniffing at everything they could find. Unfortunately, a few also found some smelly sheep wool and other stinky stuff and couldn't resist a roll. We finished about 11:30am and, after some morning tea, left for home with our thoroughly exhausted but happy and stinky beagles.

The following beagles would like to give Brian and Lesley lots of licks: Daisy and Gypsy; Ruby; Adelaide; Doughal and Angus; Wesser and Phoebe; Gus; Hugh; Belle, Beth, and Jack; Sophie; Marlin and Chloe; Theo; Bernie; Bits; Stripy; Marc; Tanya and Tzar; Zoe and Roxy; Charlie and Loki; Winston; Luna; Patchinko and Kiki; Mac, Meg, and Kes; Tolly; Camry; Ally and Bridie; Harvey, Jack, and Ellie.

A final thanks to Brian and Lesley for a fantastic weekend. If you're interested in coming to the 2007 Christmas in July Scent Weekend, watch out for more information in the Harking In.

We have lots of extras, such as photos and other goodies from the 2006 weekend - thanks to everyone for sending them.

Report Sat 2-Sun 3 Jul 2005

About 17 people and 11 beagles made their way to Cootamundra for a weekend of serious sniffing. We gathered behind Bimbadeen around midday and commenced our first track. The dogs were leashed while a hessian bag containing an irresistible combination of liver and garlic was dragged around the first paddock. All the dogs were then released to follow the trail. Some of the city beagles took a while to catch on, but aided by the experienced beagles from Brialey Kennels most soon got the idea. After recapturing the dogs we then moved on to the next paddock to lay a fresh trail and repeat the procedure. After a several tracks and an off-leash walk we retreated to Lesley and Brian’s for a well-earned afternoon tea, followed by a stroll up and down the main street of Cootamundra. Brian kindly lent some of his dogs to those who shared a beagle between two or three so that everyone had a dog and we made quite a sight as we paraded through the streets.

After a short rest at our various accommodations we gathered at Lesley and Brian’s house for dinner. The theme was Christmas in July and what a wonderful sight greeted us. All the furniture had been removed from the lounge/dining area and transformed into a beautiful Christmas scene. One long table, big enough to fit us all comfortably, was in the middle of the room covered in white linen, metres of matt green tinsel with just a hint of sparkle ran down the centre of the table, framed all the windows and edged the skirting boards. Silver candelabras lit with red candles and red poinsettias added colourful accents and in one corner, a collection of lovely old kerosene glass lamps made a warming glow. A delicious three-course dinner was served, pumpkin soup to start, then turkey, pork and ham, baked potatoes and vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding with custard. A great evening with the chance to get to know several new club members and exchange beagle stories.

On Sunday morning we met up at Bimbadeen for more tracking. After a couple of tracks, some of the dogs got so enthusiastic that on reaching the start point they would happily go around the old trail for a second time. Another short walk to the top of hill followed, affording some wonderful views of Cootamundra and surrounding hills. We then returned to Lesley and Brian’s for a reviving cup of tea. The weekend concluded as we enjoyed some digital footage of the weekend’s tracking including some of the exciting group starts, taken by new members, the Schmid family

Thank you to all the club members who made the trip to Cootamundra, especially those who have recently joined. We hope you and your beagles had a great time and you will join us at future Sniffing Around Sydney meets.

A special thanks to Margaret and Peter, friends of Lesley and Brian, who helped with the catering and serving dinner again this year.

Most of all, thanks to Lesley and Brian Childs for their warm and generous hospitality. The organisation and work that is required to ensure the smooth running of such an event is considerable and this is the second year that Lesley and Brian have provided us and our dogs with a most enjoyable weekend.

We have lots of extras, such as photos and other goodies from the 2005 weekend - thanks to everyone for sending them.

extras set 1

Report Sat 3-Sun 4 Jul 2004

As advertised, for beagles, the weekend was a weekend of off lead running and sniffing around fenced paddocks, plus the opportunity to socialise with other beagles. For humans, it was the chance to have a short break and some leisurely exercise in friendly company.

The weekend was hosted by Brian and Lesley Childs of Brialey Beagles, and what wonderful hosts they were. From the friendly welcome, to the scent tracks for the beagles, to the professionally organised 3-course dinner ... the list could go on ... everything was well organised. On behalf of everyone who attended the weekend, I'd like to extend my thanks to both of them.

A small group of about 18 humans and 16 beagles travelled to Cootamundra for the weekend. Most people travelled from Sydney, a few from Canberra and Wagga Wagga. We met about 12 noon, Saturday, at Brian and Lesley Childs' house. The weather for the weekend was clear and sunny.

After a short welcome, we walked to our first off lead area and scent tracks, about 10 minutes away. It's worth noting that all off lead areas were secure - the paddocks were surrounded by ringlock fencing so there was no opportunity for our beagles to follow their own tracks. Brian used a smelly concoction of liver and garlic to lay down the tracks and that seemed to get our beagles attention pretty well..

On Saturday afternoon, we watched our beagles try their noses on three tracks. Some had never done it before, others seemed quite experienced. Some didn't really get the hang of it and followed their own trails, some rolled around in smelly piles lying around here and there, but others took off with great enthusiasm following the trail and baying. It was great fun to watch them. After the beagles had tried out three tracks, we had some afternoon tea, and then took the beagles to the nearby enclosed race track so they could enjoy more sniffing and running.

The dinner on Saturday night was fantastic. This was included in the $10 cost for the weekend. Miraculously Brian and Lesley produced a catered 3-course meal (a few people expected a sausage sizzle), which was wonderful. During dinner, our beagles had more time to play in the back garden.

Everyone had arranged their own accommodation on Saturday night, at various motels, hotels, b&bs, caravan parks, and lodges around Cootamundra.

On Sunday morning, we met about 9:30am at our next secure tracking area. Here our beagles tried out three new trails, most longer than the previous day. Once again, some beagles seemed to know exactly what to do and others didn't. Again, it was so much fun watching our beagles do what they do best.

After some morning tea, we wound up the weekend about 12 noon so most people could drive back to Sydney during the afternoon with their exhausted beagles.

From the many comments made about the weekend, it seemed everyone had a great time, humans and beagles alike. Here are some quotes:

Sadly we have no extras from the 2004 weekend - unless someone has some photos hiding in a cupboard.

Christmas in July Scent Weekend, Cootamundra

Details

Report Sat 12-Sun 13 Jul 2008

Report Sat 12-Sun 13 Jul 2008

Report Sat 7-Sun 8 Jul 2007

Report Sat 8-Sun 9 Jul 2006

Report Sat 2-Sun 3 Jul 2005

Report Sat 3-Sun 4 Jul 2004