The Bobster revisits the Royal Standard in Forty Green, Buckinghamshire.

 It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny winter's day today, January 29th 2020. I had already gone for my morning walk, trod the local park, which was bitter cold in the shade, before heading up the A40, through Beaconsfield and on to the Royal Standard, Forty Green where I knew I would receive a warm welcome - I'd been here before.  I remember.  Actually, I always remember well the places where I've eaten but, I remember also the smell of flowers around the carpark and the woods beyond. I think there is rosemary and other herbs planted around some of the small trees which line the carpark. And there were flowers in bloom, even in January.

The Royal Standard is the oldest Pub in Britain and as you open the front door it creaks like a hundred cavaliers' stooping kneecaps - least that's how the human described it, and she wasn't even drinking!!!
 The interior is dark and atmospheric, so it's no surprise that it has been used in film and Tv (e.g. Midsomer Murders, The Theory of Everything ) but it is very welcoming with cosy fires, and friendly staff. AND, they love dogs (Get in!)

 I've read on the Royal Standard's website that one of the fireplaces is the Edmund Burke fireplace, though I'm not sure which one. As we imminently approach Brexit Day I note one of his quotes on politics,
"The public interest requires doing today those things that men of intelligence and good will would wish, five or ten years hence, had been done." I guess time will tell, whatever your stance on Brexit, whether things will turn out all right.

 The Food on offer is just excellent, so booking is a necessity. I highly recommend it. It's worth a visit, especially if you want to bring visitors from overseas. This is a place steeped in history. It seeps through its walls, quite literally, if you are to believe some of the ghost stories on their history pages of hauntings but we found nothing but good vibes here and friendly people among the staff and clientele.

 Our visit was made ever more enjoyable by the friendly Barman, who was very charming and looked very dapper indeed. Thank you, Sir! You made our day.

The Bobster visits The Balloon Tree, Yorkshire

Down on the Farm

I love to eat,
so it's a treat,
to have a photo at Balloon Tree Farm.
And I'll say "cheese",
if you give me some please.
and, sure, a sausage wouldn't do any harm.
I could spend all day,
take a roll in the hay,
while the little humans laugh and play.
This day has been good,
I've had lots of fresh food.
Which we bought here at Balloon Tree farm.

The Balloon Tree  is in Gate Helmsley which is around 7 miles from York. The farm provides fresh produce and has a lovely farm shop, which is open to the public. You and your little ones can even spend the day picking your own fruit. What better way to teach them about food, how it grows, and where it's sourced.

Alongside the farm there is a childrens play area, and a large outdoor dining area where you can watch the little ones play while you enjoy a drink or two. Dogs are welcome here (woof!) 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾so the whole family can spend the day, or a lovely lunch here. There's also a small section where children can view the animals.

Meals are prepared from produce mostly from the farm, so is obviously fresh, in season, and environmentally friendly. The farm shop has much to offer, all freshly picked, so why not take a bagful or two home. 

And if you're looking to cheer up the garden, you can buy fresh flowers here too.
All in all, it is definitely worth a visit, especially if you have little humans to entertain. Check it out for yourself.

Hot in the City

It's summer, the temperatures are over 30 degrees and you are enjoying all this sun, sports, and sangria but, if you are a dog owner, summer has a fair share of health risks for fur family and friends you should be aware of.
I've blogged before of the danger of grass seed - Nasty stuff.
However, the high temperatures have their own hazard, namely heatstroke. Imagine if you humans had to walk around wearing a fur coat, yet were unable to sweat to cool down. It wouldn’t take long before you overheated. And it can happen within minutes.
Dogs should be walked in the early morning or late in the evening when it is cooler.
Bring water for drinks and to douse the dog. Try to walk in a shady area.
Avoid any over exertion, like chasing a ball. Don't let the dog do that either (woof!)
DO NOT LEAVE your fur family members in the car. For further advice on prevention, signs, and treatment of heatstroke Follow this link
You can put a bottle of frozen water on the dog’s bed to cool it at night but if your dog is anything like me, the floor is cooler these nights. This clever chap has the right idea. (photo found on the Lad Bible Oz, Facebook)

The danger from the Oak Processionary Moth has almost passed for this year, as the caterpillars are changing to moths around this time and it is a hazard to both animals and humans that I only just became aware of, even though I live in Ealing, one of the core areas. They can cause nasty rashes and irritation, even from the hairs that are shed and lie on the ground, so I am surprised it is not spoken of more. Check it out, if you want to learn more.
But, it is summer, it is hot, so let's enjoy it. In the words of Billy Idol, though it may be Hot In the City:
Don't be no fun, don't forget you're young
On a hot summer night

To The Manor Borne

To The Manor Borne

When we took to the road that morning,

I was feeling quite forlorn.

What cheered me up, 

was a bit of sup, 

when to the Manor borne.

The place was grand but welcoming.

There was croquet on the lawn.

Had I known 'tis posh

I'd have brought some dosh, 

when to the Manor borne.

If only they had told me,

my best clothes I'd have worn.

But I looked cute,

in my birthday suit. 

When to the Manor borne.

Okay, enough of this poem, which was written by the human. I was looking for a good poem to use and actually found a rather great one, The Old Manor House by Ada Cambridge, which is really well worth a read.

The Manor House Hotel is in the very picturesque village of Castle Combe, which is really chocolate box beautiful. We were blessed with the most brilliant bank holiday weather, so this made it perfect  to explore the wonderful village and the hotel grounds.

It was my favourite part of the day (lunchtime) when we arrived so we headed to the table we had pre-booked at The Castle Inn, which is just by the hotel and dog-friendly. The food was excellent. I usually only have two meals a day, so lunchtime is bonus time (woof!) 🐾🐾🐾🐾Pre-booking is recommended as the pub does get very busy. I'm not surprised. Yum!
We had some little humans with us, and as this was a family trip, and as children aged under 11 are not allowed in the Michelin star restaurant in the evenings, we opted for casual dining that evening. Now you're getting an insight into the workings of my mind. Did you see the speed that I went from lunch to dinner? Not even a blink. And as if nothing happened in between. The in between was spent exploring the grounds, and village, and generally lazing about waiting about for dinner.

We could have eaten in one of the comfortable lounges indoors but, with such perfect weather, we dined in the fabulous garden. The waiting staff ( actually, all the staff) were really nice and friendly. Our waiter suggested some rather great sounding gin, so my human had some (would be rude not to, or so she says) and the wine was great too. Food was excellent.

The human had booked the stay via a hotel booking site, so the message had not been passed to the hotel that I (a dog) was coming. The hotel has only 5 dog friendly rooms but we were allocated a room in the cottages, which sound small, but are really good sized. However, it did mean that no bowls or bed was provided for me. The charge for dogs is £25 per night and only one dog allowed per room.

That being said, the human got me my blanket and I was very comfy. The bathroom was huge, with lovely Bamford bath products provided, which the human loved so much, she has ordered some online.
Overall, this was a very relaxing stay. It feels very stately and a great place to bring visitors, specially those from overseas. I really do hope to visit the Manor again. This time, I'll be wearing my best outfit and will be sure to pre-book a dog-friendly room. Woof 5 paws for the Manor🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Bobster's favourite pubs - The Village inn

I wanted to label this blog entry, I'm one of the Village People but the human thought it would lead to too many questions, like, am I the Policeman, Cowboy, or Biker? Do I spend all day humming catchy disco tunes? You get my drift.

The Village Inn in Ealing is my local, or, as the urban dictionary describes it, my neighbourhood pub.

Just what is required of a good local pub, I hear you ask (we dogs have extraordinary hearing!). Well, here's my list.

1. You must be able to walk to it (bringing the car is an impediment). The fact that my local is halfway to the park means I get to walk to it twice, so double the chance the human will bring me in.

2. It will have regulars who seem to be propping the bar no matter what time of day it is, or which day.

3. You and the regulars might never speak, but the occasional nod may lead to conversation - about the weather. No one will have a spray tan!

4. There will be NO fruit machine, jukebox, or TV blaring in the corner even though no one's watching.

5. You may be over 40 but you will still feel like one of the youngsters.

6. You will know who the landlord is, even though you have not been formally introduced as such, it will be that evident by his/her welcoming skills.  

7. You will always find a table, or place at the bar while they clear a table.

8. The food will be proper pub food, not gourmet, and plenty of it, served by friendly staff. No nasturtiums will have died to add a flourish.

9. They will offer a pub quiz - you will never go.

10. The décor should be cosy, comfy, with no glaring lights, where you can relax while you sit out the rain, or that heat (with your dog!).

The only Cockerspaniel in the Village Inn

The Village Inn fulfils all the above requirements and more. There is ample outdoor seating and a special seating area which is for non-smokers 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 , dog biscuits are offered (woof!) and, as the landlord has a dog himself, he very much welcomes dogs on the premises. I am allowed to eat in the bar area and in most of the dining area 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

I recommend a visit here with or without your fur friend so Ill leave you with a quote from W.C. Fields "Everyone's got to believe in something, I believe I'll have another beer."

The Bobster's favourite walks - Chiswick House and Gardens. Dog show - a date for your diary

One of my favourite jokes is the one about the dyslexic insomniac who lies awake each night wondering if there is a dog. That's not a very pc joke but if there is a dog, or God, I am sure he/she created Chiswick House and Gardens for us all to enjoy and escape from the city. With its well kept grounds, river walk, magnificent cedar trees and the house itself, it is a pleasure to walk in.
There is also parking by the entrance on the A4, or free parking off the back roads.
A paws up, fur pals and human companions: Chiswick House and gardens will host a dog show on September 24th 2017. Be there if you can to support this wonderful park.

There is a also a very nice café on the grounds, which is a favourite with dog walkers, and they provide bowls for drinks after a walk, along with a variety of tasty stuff and really excellent coffee. (woof!) Dogs are not allowed inside but there is ample space outside and we like the fresh air (woof!)

The House and gardens host weddings and many great events, such as open air operas and the Festival of Lanterns is a great recent addition to these, which coincides with the Chinese new year - the little humans love it.

The Bobster visits Ashdown Park Hotel and Spa, East Sussex

We decided to visit Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex during the half-term break for an overnight stay.

As you can see from the photographs the weather was amazing and we had a couple of great days enjoying the hotel and the grounds. For the little humans, there was a welcome pack on arrival. To entertain them, there was a swimming pool, tennis courts and walks through the landscaped gardens where the beautiful rhododendrons were in bloom, and walks through the woods which lead to the nearby llama park. Simply playing under the trees, or taking in the view was a relaxing break away from city life. There is a spa for adults and golf course, and mini golf.

The restaurant was great. A great choice for dinner and we had a super English wine to accompany it(among with a choice of all the usual wines on offer). The buffet breakfast was also good. The staff are very friendly and on the ball.

This was the view from my room, overlooking the golf course

I really enjoyed the walks as the grounds are lovely, and it was great to eat with the humans on the terrace. Luckily the weather was beautiful as I am not allowed to be in any of the hotel reception rooms or bar. Dogs are only permitted in the Fairway suites which, while they do overlook the grounds and have French doors leading outside, with its own little patio seating area, the rooms are more expensive, especially if the human is a single occupant. The hotel caters for dogs in a very special way that I have not seen before. I was asked if I would like a home cooked meal of fresh chicken and rice. What could I say? woof! 5🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾  Yes, please,

and it was delivered promptly to my room at the requested time. Added to that there was a massive array of goodies in the room when I arrived. Wow!! The charge for my stay was £30 per night and I was provided with a bed, bowls, a ton of goodies, and a home cooked meal. Thank you Ashdown Park!

 

Near the Ashdown Park is Pooh Corner, a very cute tea shop which sells all things Winnie the Pooh related. You can also visit the places mentioned in the books. Worth a stop.

The Bobster visits Bristol

I have visited Bristol more recently but how could I resist adding these fabulous photos of the fabulous Gromit sculptures to my blog, which were taken during my trip there in 2013. There were 80 such sculptures throughout Bristol during that time as part of the Gromit Unleashed exhibition which you can read about here

Here I am besides two of my favourites. By the way, Wallace and Gromit is made by the famous locally based Aardman Animations , such talented people (woof!)

Bristol, has a large port area with many outdoor cafes so I had my pick of places where I could eat with the humans. 
As it's a real favourite of mine, once again I stayed at the local Hotel du vin. The charge for my stay is £10 per night and I am given bowls and a blanket. I was welcome to join the humans in the courtyard and bar area to eat (woof!) 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
My visits to Bristol have been brief and, as a creature of habit, I have tended to revisit the same places ( okay, restaurants and bars) so for a more comprehensive list of dog-friendly things to do in Bristol I will direct you to the excellent visit Bristol site (woof!)