Post 1516. Wednesday April 26
Tales of everyday life in the coastal village of Amble Bay
Here we are at Amble Manor, the palatial residence of wealthy spinster Lady Violet Smythe. She actually a Smith, but she doesn't think that sounds posh enough. Don’t let on I told you!
How about these massive iron gates? 'Open sesame!' I love it when they obey me.
'Open sesame!'
'Open sesame!'
They seem to be stuck, can you give them a shove?
Right. I’ll park between her Bentley and Arthur’s tractor. He’s probably doing a few jobs for her. Oh, he's asleep in the cab.
Before we get out, a few ground rules. Bow your head as you say hello, don’t attempt to shake hands, don’t sit until invited, don’t speak unless spoken to and don’t tread on her dog, Teeny Weeny. Yes, that really is its name!
We’ll probably be offered a little glass of sherry; drink it whether you like it or not. Then some Earl Grey tea in a dainty china cup. When you pick it up, point your pinky. Be especially careful if Teeny Weeny lands on your lap.
She’ll probably serve cucumber sandwiches, followed by scones, jam, and cream. Whatever you do don’t drop any crumbs, or feed Teeny Weeny.
Right, here we go. Can you give me a shove up the steps?
Right, tug on the bell chain. Ding-dong! The doors are opening, and...
Oh no, there goes Teeny Weeny.
Catch it!
Catch it!
Not a good start.
Tomorrow will be walking in The Wood
To read a brief description of Amble Bay and see a scribbled map just click HERE
Previous episodes – A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Previous episodes – A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
I imagine Lady Violet likes to be in charge of all the local committees and hob nob with the mayor and local councillors. A woman of influence no doubt.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! A pinky in every pie! Cheers Iain
DeleteObviously any dog named Teeny Weeny will try to escape the evil person who has named it at the first opportunity.. don't blame the dog at all... Lady Vi needs a dog naming consultant desperately. :)
ReplyDeleteNilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
It's a dog's life! Poor TW. Thanks Nilanjana.
DeleteArthur sure gets around the town, eh? LOL
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
There's no escaping Arthur!
DeleteAww, that's adorable.
ReplyDeleteAnd I happen to be drinking tea as I read this!
I trust you pinky's pointing! Cheers Jamie
DeleteGround rules which unwittingly might be broken without due care and attention! Perhaps only certain special folks were privileged to be let in, so one must be extra careful. Gosh! Teeny Weeny might spoil everything! Great write Keith (different take from others)
ReplyDeleteHank
Thanks so much Hank. There's not a lot of humour on A-Z this month, so I'm pleased I took this route.
DeleteSmall dogs that run off and won't be caught are the bane of my existence!
ReplyDeleteThe smaller the dog the more mischeivious I find! Cheers
DeleteAny now I have the sudden urge to make scones. And have tea.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing quite like them! Enjoy.
DeleteIs Teeny Weeny a dachsund or a sausage dog, or maybe a little chihuahua? I have an image of Teeny Weeny running into the door. Poor TW! Maui Jungalow
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely sure - it never stays still long enough for me tohave a proper look! Thanks Courtney
DeleteSuch delightful description of such a grand dame! Clearly she expects things to be done properly in her presence and now you've gone and done it by letting the dog escape. This is not going to go well, unless you are able to quickly scamper after it without getting any dust on your Sunday best attire! :-) I suspect I would be so nervous in her presence that I would do everything wrong, and most assuredly choke on my sherry!
ReplyDeletePeople do find her a bit daunting I have to say! Fortunatey Forager Fred caught TW!
DeleteMerciful heavens! I got nervous just reading that!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteCalen~
Impromptu Promptlings
A to Z Challenge Letter U
Haha! Try and stick to the rules and you'll be OK Calen~
DeleteHi Keith - Teeny Weeny is an 'it'???? No wonder Lady Smythe (nee Smith) is so uppity in her attitude to all in the village ... I hope your car was safe if Arthur's tractor was behind you ... great story telling ... cheers Hilary and a wee royal wave ...
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/v-is-for-vaynol-cattle.html
Haha! Not sure if TW is male or female or a bit of each! Some people think her Ladyship may be a Lord beneath the caked on make up, but I don't subscribe that theory myself! Thanks Hillary.
DeleteI am absolutely terrified of Lady Violet... should I make eye contact? I feel as if that would be risky. I think I will not. She might place me under some sort of hypnotic thrall.
ReplyDeleteI forget to mention that. Only look at when she's speaking to you, otherwise it's a no-no. Cheers Melanie
DeleteYou make me smile every morning, Teeny Weeny - love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted! Thanks Sally
DeleteI don't like Lady Violet. Sounds like a snob and if Teeny Weeny is like that picture..i would totally go awwwwww on her
ReplyDeleteA Peice Of My Life
You can't blame Teeny Weeny for making a dash for freedom now and again!Cheers DeeDee
DeleteRun, Teeny Weeny, run!
ReplyDeleteFree at last - yipee!
DeleteTeeny Weeny running off is not going to get us any scones, jam and cream. Thanks, Teeny Weeny. Appreciate that little pup.
ReplyDeleteOnce Upon a Time
It's not good enough, the little critter!
DeleteOh, this reminds me of my brother's mother-in-law. She has a tiny dog named Precious. He may have been put down this spring, I'm sad to say. He was hardly eating the last time I saw him. ~sigh~ I should call. Be well!
ReplyDeleteAw, that's sad. Give her a call!
DeleteAnother delightful character. Who doesn't love 'open sesame'!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it doesn't always work! Cheers Jacqui
DeleteLady V reminds me of Hyacinth Bucket, oops I mean Bouquet:)
ReplyDeleteTW looks adorable in that sketch.
Will wait to see who's lurking in the woods or is just The Wood?
V is for Ventriloquist
'The Smythe residence, lady of house speaking'! It hadn't occurred to me but you are spot on. It's known just as The Wood to the locals and they may well be someone lurking amid the trees! Cheers Arti
DeleteHe he - maybe Teeny Weeny needs a hit of that sherry!
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I think he's already had some! Cheers Susan
DeleteSounds like Arthur's hearing problem rubbed off on the massive iron gates! My mouth is watering for those cucumber sandwiches, scones and jam. Do you think I can sneak some out in my handbag?
ReplyDeleteTrudy @ Reel Focus
Food in Film: Vegetables
Why not? I promise not to tell!
DeleteI'm not sure I can manage drinking tea with my pinky sticking out, so me and Lady Violet would probably not have gotten along. Teeny Weeny sounds like he's got the right idea. ;)
ReplyDeleteA to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs
Oh, I'm sure you can with a bit of practice Sara!
DeleteHow can anyone drink tea from a dainty cup without the little finger automatically balancing the teacup. That one I do all the time without thinking. Likely to fail on all the others. Have made many mistakes in my life on etiquette. Are you in the habit of taking strangers to Lady Vi's?
ReplyDeleteOne always positions one's little finger correctly when one's drinking one's tea doesn't one? I only take special people to the manor!
Delete