The Monday Musings – Small Dog on the Open Seas

This week Small Dog has well and truly been on his travels, starting with a trip down to Cornwall to sniff out Ice Cream and Pasties and then a trip on the high seas across to the land of Poodles and Frog’s legs. Now Small Dog has always been a good traveller and a keen adventurer (well, as long as the adventure involves near constant attention for him, plenty of food and all other dogs bowing down before him) but never before has he travelled to a foreign land nor crossed an ocean to get there…

Fortunately for Small Dog the journey started fairly simply. Having already brushed up on his French whilst in Cornwall (Le Woof seemed to cover most eventualities) and signed his newly obtained Paddy Passport Small Dog quickly packed his bowl, spare collar and squeaky rubber chicken into his trademark brown suitcase and was ready and waiting as the humans flapped about, flinging things in cases and stressing over whether they’d brought enough teabags. Whilst evidently a bit miffed to be departing the south coast whilst there still remained territories that he had yet to mark as his own, Small Dog eventually hit the road once again and prepared to board a boat that seemed quite considerably bigger than those rowing boats he’d swum past in the boating lake that time.

Now the worrying part of this journey for the humans was that this was an overnight ferry on which it was expected that all “pets” should remain in their car. There was much concern that Paddington may not be comfortable or that he could become scared being on his own in a car overnight, but sadly as the nasty people at customs seemed to think that Small Dog was indeed some kind of “pet” and that the rules shouldn’t be adaptable based solely on personality. So as the humans went up to enjoy the luxurious ferry facilities and a great night’s sleep Small Dog was left alone below deck.

Now as the humans fretted about the Small Dog’s well-being, Paddington himself, quite used to falling asleep in the car, decided it was about time to have a well-earned and quite comfortable snooze. The humans meanwhile were facing an altogether different proposition…

It would seem that luxury trans-channel travel isn’t quite what it’s cracked up to be. Indeed as team Bride Vs Groom sat down to start some late night blogging and editing they found that their tea supply was quickly removed as, 10 minutes into the journey the one and only bar was closed. Luckily though there was still a shop open, helpfully selling all kinds of sun-screen and british memorabilia but not so much as a Kendal mint-cake to eat or drink. Still there was always the broken vending machine to look at. However whilst the catering may not have been quite up to scratch at least, unlike Small Dog, the humans would not be suffering with having to try to sleep in the back of a car. No, instead they had luxurious reclining chairs to relax and snooze in as the ferry slowly floated across the tranquil waters. Well, ok reclining may be a strong word but at least they had comfortable chairs, sorry uncomfortable chairs and what must surely be a darkened room to sleep in. Well, dark if you discount the floodlights shining into everyone’s eyes. At least though the one guy who did get to sleep wasn’t a snorer… oh, wait.

Nonetheless eventually the ship sailed into port and the surprisingly weary humans returned to greet their waiting, well rested and excited master in the car ready to continue on into Poodleland.

As the car pulled out Small Dog started to notice many strange smells in the air and was slightly concerned about what exactly this place was. A faint hint of onions and garlic were perhaps the most intriguing but he decided to carry on regardless.

After what seemed like an eternity finally they pulled up at Paddington’s new Gite in the Normandy countryside and he was relieved to find that his garden had been well prepared for his arrival, although Hugo, a local French dog didn’t initially seem to recognise Small Dog’s superiority despite his inferior height. Still, Small Dog quickly set about claiming everything in sight as his own and was happy enough to curl up with a familiar smell in that waistcoat Matt sometimes wears when carrying cameras around. A few adjustments were necessary, but fortunately the fabric was very flexible in this regard. And, after roaming the French countryside for a few days Small Dog was very happy to consider France for his holidays again in the future.

Now for the journey back…