Sprinkles, Portswood, Poppy's Tea Rooms and Lilys, Wickham

 Sorry for the delay!! Busy few weeks for both of us. For Margaret - settling little Alfie into his new home and getting to know his new friends, and Polly and Peggy have both been poorly so causing her mum emotional (and financial) stress!

 Still managed to get out for our weekly breakfast/outing though, but have just visited previous places we have reviewed.

 Went to Sprinkles in Portswood, a firm favourite when in the mood for pancakes/waffles, as having tried a few venues, Sprinkles wins hands down for value and quality! And the white chocolate waffle is yummy.

Yummy Yummy

 Off to Poppy's Tea Room (situated within Park Place Nursery) near Wickham the next Saturday. Cooked breakfast this time, but too busy trying to guess our favorites for the Grand National that day, and get to the bookies, so nearly forgot to take a picture, hence half eaten! (and a horse with 'Dude' in its name, the nickname for dearly departed Jake, came 3rd. GO JAKE!! Margaret was quids in!!)

Half eaten....

 Quick visit last weekend to Lilly's in Wickham Square, and baked Eggs Benedict for both this time. Huge helping - yummy and very filling!

Mega filling

 So - our main priority (for Margaret, and his Aunty Jan!) was to get Alfie feeling at home. Not too much effort for Margaret as he has settled straight in.

Sussing each other out

Awww - new brother (not a replacement tho) for Jessie

Loved by all dogs and humans so far (though maybe not the vet who he took an instant dislike to, naughty boy!!)

Alfie part of the gang

Alfie a bit worried Peg is going to eat him

 On the whole, he has been great off the lead, running around madly and trying to entice the others to run with him. It works briefly, but unfortunately the others are getting a bit too old.

Jessie happy playing

But had enough now...

So Alfie just has to run around by himself!

Peggy is intrigued.. he does look a bit like a fox.. should she chase him?

Nope - maybe he is a dog and will play instead!

Polly had a bad week, but has slowly reverted back to her happy but increasingly wobbly self. Still swimming once a week, and managing alternate day shorter walks.Had a double wobbly walk with her old friend Bud, so they took it in turns to fall over :( ....

Polly and Bud at Titchfield Abbey

The spring weather has been beautifully hot - lovely except Pol does struggle in the heat...

Mega thirsty post walk

Peggy had a dramatic 'poorly' day last weekend. So far seems to have resolved, and she was distracted from her usual howling at the vets by meeting her first python !

Peg not sure about this.....

Lots of exciting outings (not just eating!! ) over next few weeks - so keep reading!! x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westlands Farm Shop

We have had a very busy couple of weeks since our last posting to the blog. So much has happened including the arrival of a new member of our group.

First of all on Saturday 21st March Jan and I took our friend Chris to Westlands Farm shop in Shedfield for breakfast and also because it was the first of two lambing weekends.

They had a very extensive menu and we all of us went for the light breakfast which cost £6 each plus coffee.

           

                   

We had all the usual full English items, service was quick, food was hot and was enjoyed by us all.

Of course we were eager to get outside to visit the lambing pens. This was the first day but several of the lambs had been born over the last couple of days, some of them just that day.

This little one was the only surviving triplet so they were giving him his Mothers milk by tube and hoping for the best

The little one on the left stood there for ages resting his chin on his Mother.

This is Jan, Chris and me with lambs that were one or two days old.

They are so soft and cuddly. Really would like to have taken one home.

however, I didn't know it then but there were even better things to come.

While we were there we were talking about my ongoing search for a new little dog and how I was despairing of ever finding the right one. Me and Jan are regular visitors to all the local rescue centres but Chris had never been. So, we decided to visit the RSPCA at The Ark in Stubbington on the way home, by a circular scenic route.
How glad am I that we did. After we had looked around with no luck and were just about to leave, Steve who I know from the Ark called out to us. He said they had a little dog just in, not even listed yet and would I like to see him. He was a little bit nervous and overwhelmed but we all loved him straight away.

The next day Jan and I came back with Jessie and what a difference. I think he remembered us and was much more relaxed.

Think he did have a naughty plan in his mind while he was standing there so innocently

Anyway a week later and Alfie came home. No problems except maybe a very over the top welcome for anyone who visits and making a nuisance of himself while I am trying to do this blog

The first introduction to the cat was quite uneventful although Mitzi played it safe at first.



But soon decided to investigate.

First Kiss

Good sniff around

Time to meet best friends Polly and Peggy

And of course his lovely sister Jessie.

That is all for this very exciting week, more news next time.............................Margaret x