Dogs In Pubs

The trio arrived tired and worn out at Heathrow. They survived the long walk through customs, solved the mystery of the lost African boy, Panda  greatly relieved that there was no need for a cavity search. Woo was just that little bit disappointed.

Neither Cat, Panda nor Woo had expected the walk to the baggage carousels to be so long. They walked half way to London to collect their bags and trudged on to the exit.

All at once Woo burst into tears as Dana Banana (aka Narna) and Andy came into view. It had been a long, long time for Woo and her best friend in the whole wide world. Now they could laugh and talk together they cried very happy tears.

Woo and Narna hugged and cried some more. Andy smiled. Cat and Panda stood back, even Cat knew this was a special moment for Woo.

Andy took charge and led the troop back to the car where he fit all the bags and ports in neatly. Panda, Cat and Woo shared the back seat and it was a very tight fit.

In Pembury the house where Narna and Andy lived was built in Victorian times, it was then the Gardener’s Cottage. The old coach house next door had been converted into a home and the manor house belonged to a forensic accountant. Andy promised to show the trio his allotment when there was time.

In the Gardener’s Cottage lived the beautiful Princess Sia. She rules wisely, her rules are simple, do what I want , when I want and all will be well. Cat was delegated the task of reading stories as soon as she arrived. Sleeping arrangements were sorted, Woo got the couch and Panda and Cat the cellar.

First evening in England Andy arranged for dinner at the Black Horse. This is an old English Pub dating from 12th century. Best of all to Andy and Panda’s glee it was a bank holiday special and the meal, a lovely roast was free.

At the Black Horse , Sia’s Grumps and Grammy came to eat and play as well. It was a grand night.

The three travellers came home to the house of the Princess and went to bed and slept and slept.

Monday – Day One in Pembury

Woodland walk in Pembury

In the morning or rather later in the morning, closer to lunch time, the intrepid travellers walked through a woodland and visited a grave yard. The Princess began to tire and was carried some of the way home in Panda’s arms.

Andy came home from work and the entourage set out to find another Olde Worlde establishment. Panda was looking forward to another meal, Cat was excited to see another building from the 15th century, Woo had twigged that they were on a pub crawl though Kent.

Arriving at the Mark’s Cross they enjoyed fish and chips and Woo had her very first English bangers and mash. All three were in tourist heaven.

Then Woo exclaimed “They have dogs in the Pub”.

“Yes dogs are allowed in English pubs,” Narna gave a matter- of- fact reply.

“Really??” said a surprised Panda a little confused about health and safety rules. There are none.

Lucille of Marks Cross

“We are in a Pub? With Dogs!!!!”, Cat called out as she wrapped her claws around a beam supporting the rather low 15th century ceiling.

The party moved outside to battle wasps and let the Princess run free. Woo held back and talked to the dogs for a while, Lucille had been bitten by an adder and was feeling sorely.

n the garden the view was stunning. A dalmatian and a couple of terriers sat well behaved and relaxed with their human servants soaking up the warmth of the day. The Princess ran like an unruly puppy set free from a leash. Her entourage, taking shifts, tried to keep up with her. Finally all were so exhausted they came home, had toast for tea and fell into a deep exhausted sleep.

Monday was over it was a day in which day Woo had found links to her perhaps heritage, for there guarding Marks Cross was a rather regal owl, Panda discovered dogs in Pubs. Cat discovered God was probably English and that she was second place to the Princess.

All was right in the world.