[Dailydrool] London Adventure: Last day for shopping

[Sally King via Dailydrool]

Younger Clara here
It was our last full day in London. We were all pretty tired from all our adventures, so I suggested we finally had that shopping trip I'd been planning.
The hotel is just off Oxford Street, London's premier shopping street and sniffing distance from the famous Liberty's of London. Gentlemen hounds can easily stroll to Jermyn Street for bespoke suits (and kilts) and I knew every hound would be looking to pack away some souvenirs for themselves and their families.
 I looked out of the window and was very surprised to see there was a hard frost on the ground. That is unusual, but not unheard of in May. You don't normally see it in London, though. Temperatures had taken a real dive.
"It looks like snow out there," woofed Mollie Grace.
Pawtunia rushed to the window "That's not snow," she said sadly. "I wish it was. I love snow. Do you think it might snow Clara?"
I shook my head "Unfortunately, the chances of snow in London in May are similar to the chances of a roomful of bassets ignoring a plate of pizza," I told her.
Everyhound was deciding whether and where to shop, while Mollie Grace and Pawtunia still looked longingly out of the window.
"Oooh, look at those shiny cars," said Mollie Grace, with her nose stuck right up to the glass. They must belong to someone very impawtant.
"They look like the ones Willow sent from the palace," agreed Pawtunia.
"They are palace cars," woofed Halfred. "I recognise that chauffeur - he gave me treats"
The rest of the hounds started crowding round the window, desperate to see who was getting the royal treatment that day. They were making such a noise, that I didn't hear the knock on the door the first time.
""I'll get it," said Tabby, pulling herself away from the crowd. She nosed open the door and looked at the man in uniform standing outside.
"An invitation for Sir Rolph," said the man, lowering a silver tray with a thick manila envelope on it. Rolph thanked the man and taking the envelope started to shut the door.
"I'm instructed to wait for your reply," said the man, putting his foot firmly in the way.
Rolph ripped it open and read the note. And re-read it. Then he turned to the hounds and said. "pack up everyhound. We've been invited to Balmoral.
"Where's that?" asked Mozart
"It's the Queen's castle in Scotland" barked Stuart loudly, flying round and round in excited circles."We're going to Scotland, we're going to Scotland!"
"But Scotland's miles away," said Tabby. "It's going to take us hours to drive there. We'll just arrive and it'll be time to leave."
"Maybe," agreed Rolph. That's why I said pack up. We must take our suitcases with us."
Mariah and Ipo sidled over. "You say it," Mariah begged Ipo. "No, you say it," said Ipo, looking at her paws.
"The thing is, ermm, Ipo and I, erm..." stuttered Mariah.
"We have plans," finished Ipo, still looking at her paws.
"I see, said Rolph. And do these plans involve a German shepherd and a terrier by any chance?"Both girls were suddenly fascinated by their paws, but nodded none the less.
"Well don't get lost," I warned them. And do make sure you're at the airport. Both of you."
Christmas and Paisley ran round collecting all the suitcases and it wasn't long before all the hounds were back in the royal cavalcade.
However, instead of heading north, the cars turned south, cutting through the city. It was great fun to watch people on the pavements craning their necks to see who was in the fleet of limousines.
Before long, we pulled through the gates of London City Airport, where an RAF plane was taxiing down the landing strip. "Oh my goodness," I whispered to Madden. I think we're going to travel on the Queen's Flight."
The chauffeurs opened the car doors and we pounded up the gangway into the plane. I was a bit disappointed at first,expecting it to be decked out with fancy fabrics and ornate furniture, but Daffodil told me she had read in her mom's books, that when it is not being used to carry the royal family or politicians, the plane is in full service with the RAF.
We were soon heading to Scotland. It was not a long flight, but we just had time to avail ourselves of a rather fine second breakfast before landing.
After that, it was another ride in limousines to the castle, with Emma and Stuart bouncing around in excitement all the way.
"There it is" barked Chunky, spotting the castle nestled among trees.
"It looks like a fairytale palace from a children's story," gasped Heidi.
The cars swept round to the main door which a butler held open for us. Rusty and Dexter started off in the opposite direction, noses in the air. "This way please sirs," said the butler, that way leads to the kitchens."
"And?" muttered Rusty, but followed the butler anyway.
We stopped outside a large door, in a hallway flanked with flunkies and guards. "When you meet her majesty," said an official, there are a few points of protocol you must observe.
"We're meeting the queen?" gasped Olivia "Oh my goodness."
"You will come forward, one at a time and be presented," continued the official. "You must bow, or curtsy. You must not initiate conversation. You must not, under any circumstances, touch the Royal person. 
"Well." said Cleo, "I hardly think that applies to me, I'm..."
"It applies to every person on this planet," replied the official firmly "including Royalty from other countries, he added, looking at queens Poppy and Olive, who were excitedly flying around the chamber."
"But, I am Empress of all I survey," replied Cleo haughtily. "I am, in fact, superior to your silly old queen...."
There was a gasp from every hound and human in the hallway. Around us, the atmosphere changed and soldiers were suddenly reaching for their weapons.
"Shut up Cleo," said Rolph, unusually sharply. "That's treason and we already know where that gets you. I hate to tell you, old girl, but you are a charming, but over-inflated American tourist with ideas above your station. Carry on like that and you will be going home immediately - in the baggage hold!"
The other hounds all glared at her.
"Oh come on," said Cleo, looking unusually abashed. "It was just a little joke. Haven't you Brits got a sense of humour?"
"Well madam," said the official dryly. "When you have quite finished reducing us all to tears of mirth, I suggest you practice your curtsy."
"Sir!" saluted a guard "Allow me to escort her back to the airport, sir"
"I'm sure that won't be necessary," said the official, "Will it Cleo?"
"No sir, yes sir, erm absolutely whatever you say sir"
The official winked at Rolph and opened the door.
"Introducing SIr Rolphimis Fitzspaniel of Avondale," he said to the footman.Rolph walked forward out of sight an we heard him being introduced elsewhere.
Clara, hoping not to be heading back to the Tower, in Balmoral, Scotland.
Where we were www.balmoralcastle.com

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