Eagle eyed readers will note that Sophie's paws are dark brown. The little stream and waterfall have dried out. They do however remain muddy - extremely muddy. This morning Angus and his shaggy companion share some Labor Day insights from a dark suited Manhattanite. Seems that the American hotel industry is projected to shrink by 45% this year. Only 16% of Americans plan to travel for Labor Day, 25% for Thanksgiving and 29% for Christmas. 14% of hotel rooms are booked for tonight and tomorrow, compared with 41% last year. Sophie is not surprised.
To the cafe with the audacious sparrows for our early morning coffee. Todays offering a study in mundanity. Lumpen, soggy and flavour free. Charity awards it a 6/10 although 5.4 might be more realistic. My fluffy side kick is less critical. All curly croissant ends warrant at least an 11/10.
Two small strawberry tarts are bought for lunch. The girl behind the counter wanders over and strokes Sophie's head. Sophie accepts this familiarity with resigned good grace. She knows that the girl has a small mignardise in her hand. Curly croissant ends and a mignardise. Life is good !
Car buying time. We go to several garages. Angus stipulates how much he will spend, how much he wants for the health hazard dog car and when he expects delivery. He has no interest in colour, seats or wheel finishes. Space in theback for the PONette is the key factor in this choice. If they can come up with something he'll deal. He has less than zero interest in negotiating. The first sales lady finds this Anglo-Saxon approach completely incomprehensible.
The dress code seems rather puritanical for a 'themed' event? : https://www.greenbrier.com/Holidays-Events/Murder-Mystery-Dinner-Theatre-(4).aspx
Can't wait to catch up with this : https://twitter.com/donwinslow/status/1302014053674446848
11 comments:
Hard to think of anything more off putting than a murder mystery dinner with a dress code. Especially one specifying ' resort attire' (a term new to me). A 6/10 croissant in the company of Sophie would be infinitely preferable.
Good luck with the car purchase.
Cheers! Gail.
Ha! Angus, I SO understand your attitude to new car purchases! I have just negotiated for a nearly new, Japan import Nissan LEAF - an electric car. My interest was purely the battery SOH (State of Health) which I required to be very, very good. They tried to convince me it didn't much matter (It does!) but when I found one that suited my needs, the Salesman to all excited ... because it was a sports model! I also required that the car was completely converted to English. I'd recommend that you check they've done what they say they have - these people hadn't and I have had to take it back to get it sorted. Such a waste of my time. It's about 40 years since I bought a secondhand car, and certainly there is a lot less care taken of the customer!
Yesterday I read an article (on a NZ news website) titled "Pooch haulers: The five safest vehicles for your dog revealed". The article had tips like have leather seats (as they retain less smell) and I learnt "Land Rover has one of the most extensive ranges of pet accessories covering all vehicles in its stable. These include nifty items such as spill-resistant water bowls, full height boot partitions and even a pet ramp to help dogs of all sizes get up and down with ease. And one of the best items could be the portable rinser allowing owners to hose off the dog before getting into the vehicle." Having an inbuilt shower for my dogs would be luxury after taking them to the beach or for muddy walks! Good luck finding a dealer to sell you Sophie's new vehicle.
Hari OM
Outings that result in muddy feet and croissants seem to me to be verging on the idyllic... YAM xx
Muddy paws, croissant ends and a mignardise (however small) have got to make this one of the best days ever!
There seem to be some very good offers on new vehicles in local showrooms here, but I don't feel tempted, although I could do with a more accessible car for Inca. As I rarely use a car more than two or three times a week at the moment, it's not worth the hassle of changing, as there really isn't anything wrong with the one I have (fingers crossed!).
After 4 years of PON usage the 'Loonj' has developed a certain ' odeur du chien'. That , plus the increasingly weird and wonderful electronics, suggest it mat be time for a change.
Men’s hats and baseball caps are not permitted.
The baseball caps I understand. But, what are ' men's hats ?. American social decor is a mystery. Who still wears them in the 21st century apart from our old mayor with his tartan pork pie number ?
The problem about hosing down a dog before it enters the Range Rover is that it has now absorbed twice its body weight in water. This of course may not apply to Labradors who are Range Rover dogs de rigeur. PONs are a different matter.
Indeed. The halts for badger poo less so.
We are now waiting for a new Volvo the colour of stale, watery porridge. This may explain the good deal we've done on it.
Sounds like the perfect requirements for a car.
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