[Dailydrool] London Adventure: Friday pm. SURPRISE

[Sally King via Dailydrool]

Younger Clara here
We were enjoying a meal in Morse's pub - well, those of us who were left.
Dexter caught my attention.He was sniffing and snuffling at the wall beside the bar. “I might not see so well,” he told me, but I'm sure I can smell cat.

“Ah, yes, said Morse. This pub has a mummified cat which was buried in the walls when it was was built. People back then thought it would ward off witches and bad luck.  It was found hundreds of years later during works. I’ve given it a good sniff and I’m fairly sure it’s not worth eating. Especially with all these fine pies.

 “I think you’re right,” said Dexter. “Hey, Paulie, come and describe these pies to me. Do they look as good as they taste?”

“Hey, guys,” I reminded them. Don’t forget we’re off for a slap-up meal at the Poopdeck Restaurant later.

“Poopdeck?” snorted Paulie and Dexter, giggling like a pair of puppies. I don’t need a deck, I can poop anywhere.” They both started rolling around laughing.

“A poopdeck,” said Morse, slightly sternly. “Is the rearmost deck of a ship. Not a garden feature for your convenience. And this Poopdeck is an extremely fashionable restaurant, with an excellent menu and cellar.”

Unfortunately, the boys only laughed louder.

I wandered over to talk with Pawtunia and Millie who were chatting amiably and ignoring the antics of the younger hounds.

Before we knew it, the coach driver was beeping his horn, calling us aboard for the journey to Brixham and our evening meal.

We bundled aboard, but as I looked down the bus I realised Kylee Dawn and Kaitlynn Skye were missing. For heaven’s sake, this was a disaster. I was losing hounds like a coins in a casino.

“Does anyhound know where the Alaska girls are? I don’t want to leave them behind," I woofed.

Mozart, who was still a little giggly, called out “Oh yes, don’t worry. They’ve gone on ahead.” and burst into even more laughter. Paulie too was stifling a snigger. 

I hate in-jokes.

We drove on through the lanes until we pulled into the harbour of a charming fishing town, where we could see the lights of the restaurant blazing. I have to say, it looked very inviting. 

The hounds all bundled out through the door, but the driver, Ned, stopped me. “Oh Miss Clara, Miss Pawtunia and you, too Miss Millie, could I just check something with you. It strikes me you’re the sensible and reliable hounds on this trip, I was just wondering if I could check erm…. And he started scrabbling through his diary “yes, erm, er what time I’m to pick you up for the run back to the station tonight.”

“It was 10pm wasn’t it?” asked Pawtunia. “I though 10.30pm,” said Millie. “I’d rather it was 10pm,” I said. I don’t want to miss the train home and we might need to round up rather a lot of hounds. Quite a few seem to have gone wandering off.”

We last three ladies stepped off the coach and headed for the restaurant. “They could have waited for us” muttered Pawtunia.

As we opened the door an almighty roar of ahroos, barks and stamping broke out.

“Surprise!” yelled all the hounds “Happy Birthdays”. The three of us looked around in amazement.

All the hounds were there. Every single one who had gone missing were there in the restaurant along with Gunter and Captain Thanet (what was he doing there?).

Ipo pushed a giant cake towards the three of us. “I came ahead to organise the party,” she said proudly and the others have been arriving early to help. It’s not often we get to celebrate three of our favourite hounds having their birthdays at the same time - and in the same place!”

.Kylee Dawn and Kaitlynn Skye stepped forward with three beautifully wrapped presents. “We all clubbed together, “ said Kylee Dawn. “We hope you like them,” added Kaitlynn Skye.

I was speechless. As a rescue dog I had always celebrated my gotcha day. This was the first time my birthday, May 15th, had been celebrated.

“Isn’t it extraordinary that you three should have your birthdays back-to-back?” laughed Olivia. “And all be 13 years old?”

I was quite overcome. I had known, of course, that Pawtunia’s birthday was on the 16th and Millie’s on the 17th.  And I had intended to do a little soiree once we returned to London, but this was just amazing.

“Do open your presents,” said Sasha. I helped Cleo choose them. 

We carefully unwrapped the elegant ribbons and paper. I could smell they weren’t edible. 
As I nosed back the paper, I saw the box  with Asprey’s of London, written on it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Aspreys is one of the top jewellers.
Inside was the most beautiful diamond and pearl collar, with a stunning sapphire set in the front. Millie’s was identical, except for a large emerald in the front and Tunes’ had an amazing solitaire diamond.

The hounds all cheered and the party really got under way. There were champagne cocktails, lobster, salmon, beef, lamb, sausages, pate - you name it, the  kitchen had supplied it. Then as they cleared the tables, Gunter revealed he had bought some of his orchestra with him.
Thee music and dancing went on and on. I was having such a good time I didn’t notice it was already 11pm. But I did notice Ipo and Captain Thanet dancing together for every number.

The restaurant closed and we all spilled on to the harbour. “Where’s the coach?” I asked Rolph.

“Don’t worry about that,” he  laughed. Morse has promised to take us for a nightime  beach walk”

We all went waddling down the beach, sniffing at this and that, snacking on the other and then Olivia called out “Look, look it’s the Good Ship Lollipup.”

“Ahoy there,” called Captain Thanet. “All aboard for the special party cruise to Ireland.”

“Ireland?”, I cried “But we had return tickets back to London tonight. We were going to go shopping tomorrow, and…..”

“Oh come on Clara, forget your itinerary for once” soothed Pawtunia. “It’s our birthdays. And really, shopping? We can do that any time. But I really want to visit Roo and Sophie with Uncle Frank and Aunty Diana.
“Uncle FranK?” barked in Rusty. “Oh, yes, we must go and visit them.. All aboard everyhoundy, All aboard!”

Clara,and her two birthday girl friends, along with all the pawty hounds on a ship heading to Ireland.
Where we went: http://www.poopdeckrestaurant.com/  

Thank you to all those who have sent money to Basset Rescue Network Great Britain. It's through charities like this that hounds like Rolph and Clara find new homes. If anyone still wishes to give a little cookie money to the homeless hounds of UK, you can Paypal payments at brngb.org.uk  or visit their Just Giving page to pay by card. Those who want to send a check can email me at bassetydogshomr at gmail.com for an address.



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