Two new pub reviews up on the site, one on the Prince of Wales in Kennington, and one on the Cross Guns in Avoncliff, near Bradford-on-Avon.
While your intrepid reviewing team were at the latter, we sat next to a gathering of throaty-voiced Bathonians who, without wanting to seem too judgemental and snickering, had the harassed air of a pair of well-off couples having to deal with their offspring without help from nanny. The children were mucking about in the stream before, inevitably, having some sort of fracas, followed by lots of wailing and attention-seeking. The mother and father fussed around the kids; the calm was thus rent by the aggravated tones of those used to getting their own way, not getting their own way.
In amongst the hullabaloo was their little dachsund – needy little chaps at the best of times. He was obviously freezing, having probably been for a quick dip in the chilly waters. Anyway, he was tied up underneath their table, and was keening away, staring imploringly at any member of the family who tramped past him… the amazing thing was, despite giving them the doggiest of dog-eyes, everyone ignored him. Maybe there was one downward glance, but only to bark ‘get out of the bloody way’ at him. After a while, the (dog’s) whining rose in tone, as he strained at the leash every time a welly-clad leg came near him. But still nothing. I noticed other drinkers spotting it – after all, the keening was pretty loud.
Until the blessed moment came for them to gather up their grizzling troops and head off. Now, we thought, he’ll get that nanosecond of attention he’s been crying for the whole afternoon. But no! They undid his leash, and marched off, leaving the poor shivery little creature to totter after them as fast as he could.
I know this sounds all a bit too British, with the focus on the lovely little doggie doggie, but really, if you’re going to own a pet, at least say hello to it once in a while. The surprising thing was that the kids paid it no attention either, which made me think that theirs was a learned reaction – that the parents had bought their status animal a few years ago and quickly tired of it. The kids never see anyone pay it heed, so they do likewise.
Overall, then – gits.