It's a Pub Life

John and I went out on Saturday afternoon to do some planning.  With notebook in hand, we drove to Raby and enjoyed a lovely pub lunch at the Wheatsheaf, definitely one of my favorite places on the Wirral.  The pub is along a country road in a beautiful old farmhouse building with a thatched roof and thick wooden beams, a place seeping with character.

We sat near the stone fire at a wooden table among other patrons.  I picture them all in cable knit sweaters though I know the couple across from us were buff and wearing instructor gear from The Underground training centre.  A little boy with his dad and grandpa at the next table swept his finger across his dad's beer foam and licked it with a smile.  Three pub pooches were gently slumbering under their respective tables. Dogs in pubs tend to be old, gentle and sweet.  I think even our kids would be pleased to have them at their feet.

John went to order our drinks, and the bartender asked how Michael was enjoying his half-term break.  It turns out that the bartender was Mr. __, the manager at St. Peter's Primary.  He works at the pub on Saturdays and has been doing so for decades.  I chatted with him briefly later and yesterday at school pickup.  A nice man, clearly respected and looked up to by the kids at school.

We clearly aren't in America but instead in Postman Pat's village.  We will have to bring Michael and Anna to the Wheatsheaf one Saturday to say hello and have some chips.

http://www.wheatsheaf-cowshed.co.uk/

Polly Put the Kettle On

Every time I walk through the door, I feel a compulsion to turn on the kettle.  I'm sure it has something to do with the weather and it certainly helps that our kettle is about two steps away from the door.  To lean over and turn on the kettle is a break in the day.  Absolute bliss.

There is something so reassuring and calming about the sounds of the kettle.  The initial seething kettle, the crescendo of sound to a warm and vibrant "berkling" of the water as the kettle jiggles and the steam shoots out the spout.

I am convinced that the civility of a cup of tea (or 5) everyday is good for the body and soul.  It is reassuring, centering, calming, social.  I like that we break for tea (or coffee) in art class and photography class.  I also recall watching a major cricket match in which "tea time" was called, so the players left the field to regroup over a cup of tea.

I once saw a greeting card that read, "With a cup of tea in your hand, you can do anything."  I wholeheartedly agree.