Blaxhall, UK

The day began, like usual, at 7:00am on the dot with Teddy's incessant barking until I came down and let him out. I wanted so much to go back to bed after he did his business in the garden but he just whines if I'm not with him so I left him on his bed whimpering a bit and zipped up to take a quick shower. Teddy survived his time alone and the kitties survived until it was time to eat at 8:00am. Oh, morning in the country are so much fun!!!

I did some computer work and read and at 1pm took Teddy for a walk to the Ship Inn so I could get some lunch. I was getting tired of cheddar cheese and whole grain bread sandwiches which was lunch the last three days. So off we went. The whole morning was foggy and overcast so it was a nice surprise when the sun came out around 12:30pm. And it's unusually warm for this time of year but I'm certainly happy about it.

I had a BLT sandwich on a fresh multi-grain baguette but forgot that bacon here in England is not the crispy strips I was so looking forward to it's more like Canadian bacon. But the sandwich was none the less tasty just not what I was looking forward to. The pub was quiet for the most part. One couple in the main dining area and three older men in the bar area where I eat because Teddy is only allowed in that area.  The men were very nice and just adored Teddy. They each had a dog, two of them in their dad's cars outside. The men clearly met here each day for their afternoon pint or two. They gave me lots of advice on how to handle Teddy as he was clearly not listening to me. They said I must be firm with my commands and keep them simple - SIT, DOWN, STAY!  I'll try I said but fortunately I'm only his temporary care giver so I don't really have to get it perfect, just enough control to make my life easier while I'm caring for him.

The oldest man, David, probably in his late-seventies is one of the main singers who comes on Monday afternoons and his brother who is turning 80 on this coming Monday also comes and sings and apparently they have been doing this pretty much all their adult lives. They also, along with the young pregnant girl who was working behind the bar and another lady who must run the place. She said this breed of dog, meaning Teddy, must get at least 5 or 6 miles of walking in each day. They all clearly heard me gasp as yesterday's three hour gaunt only took us about 2 miles so one of the men said well you have to take into consideration when you let the dog run in the fields that they run a many more miles than you do so he's probably getting plenty of exercise. All I know is Teddy was exhausted yesterday when we got back so I think three hours is our limit, it certainly is mine.

So we walked back to the house after saying thanks to them all for their advice and help with Teddy, they watched him while I used the bathroom. It's funny thing things you don't realize is difficult when you're dragging a doggy around like how to use a bathroom stall while he's jumping, running around and whimpering because you're not paying attention to him.

So that was our English Country day and I got cute picture of Gweni using the teapot on the AGA as her warm pillow, so cute!!!