Back again

Hi chaps (and chapesses)

Finally back after the winter break. It’s good to be back in the shop after two months – so much news to tell you. Firstly, I’ve been BOATING! Actually, Mum and dad have been boating, and I nonchalantly tagged along. Tried so hard to trot across a lock gate, but it was a bit difficult to look cool when the collar gets pulled by the lead until my ears are completely across my eyes. That was my excuse anyway, really I was scared stiff – lock gates are definitely not my thing. Then, the indignity of having to be carried on to the boat. I was only weighing up the options of whether I could jump that far, or just pretend to sniff something more important, or actually run like hell! Mum says that I cannot qualify for a boat dog bandana until I can get on and off the boat unaided. Well, thank heavens for that; getting carried isn’t so bad after all! Long may it continue.

Anyway, back to more important things, the shop and my PUBLIC. We’re now open every day again, lots of people and lots of fuss! Biscuits directly from Ant, our lovely postman, instead of through the letter box when we were closed, and then sniffed at by cats.

Extra comings and goings at the moment. We’ve only been open less than three weeks, and have had FIVE courses! Water colour painting, rag rugging, bobbin lace, crochet, and boat fender making (looks like crochet, but with rope).

Now, starting this coming weekend, we have our third annual canal art exhibition. Lots of people bringing in parcels to put into the needlework shop, and lots more deliveries. I think the Mill might explode sideways if they put any more in it.

Finally, my best news ever. I’m famous! I’ve been given the title “dog with a blog”. Although we stock almost every canal book in existence (well, we do if you listen to Dad), today a brand new book arrived, entitled “Pub Days Out”. It’s by those nice CoolCanals girls, and I’m in it, as (I want to see this again) “dog with a blog”. My name even gets a mention – “Winston, the unassuming cocker spaniel” (shows what they know). The shop also gets a mention, but obviously you’ll have to read it to get that bit. This all helps to put Audlem more on the map. Let’s keep up the good work.

I’ll have to go now, as more pats on the head have just walked through the door. They just think that they’ve come to shop. I need to put them right.

Bye!