used for practice drill to rescue passengers if an aircraft had ditched into the sea.
One by one the trainee cabin crews jumped into the pool fully clothed and made their way to an inflated rubber dingy followed by Shelley barking and swimming around them waiting to be rescued. I did ask if there were any objections, but all seemed happy.
What was also nice was that one could leave her in the hotel room knowing that there would be no damage or no barking which was a real added bonus.
One night when we were away I came back to the room to find she had been very ill. I found a grey paper mache tray on the floor up-side down with the name Rentokil on the side. It was no ones fault - the pest control people had put a repellent under one of the radiator cabinets resulting in Shelley retrieving it and eating the contents. I contacted the local vets and Rentokil and was advised to give her lots of water. I am glad to say all returned to normal after a few hours. The hotel also accepted full responsibility and I was offered a free weekend of my choice as a result (which I have never taken to this day). Shelly also went back home with a box of goodies!
As time went on – we became a pair and many people living in the area got to know us – in those early days I kept my-self to my-self. If I did go out for a drink it was always to the same place a hotel called Langford’s in ‘Third Avenue’.
It was family run and the manager Roy Merrick was a wonderful person. He had a dog of his own and it was one of those establishments that had a very good local clientele. We were soon accepted (like in Southwold) and Shelley became part of the furniture with her regular place under one of the long seats by the window popping her head out from time to time to make sure I was still there. I made some good friends – one person a chap called Guy Patterson whose father had been a Navy pilot in the war was always very sociable. We got to know each other well and his parents were great characters. Brian his father had some interesting stories relating to his wartime flying experiences and as it happened turned out to be quite a hero resulting in some medals for his bravery. Both Joyce and Brian Patterson were to become long standing friends of mine.
Life in Hove was going well however; there was one problem, money and trying to save and get something sorted for the future was not going to plan whilst it seemed such a waste to spend money on renting when I could look at ways to save money for a deposit for a property of my own.
One day as it was nice and sunny I took a long walk to Southwick to have a drink in ‘The Schooner Inn’. This was the pub I went to many years ago when they were making the film ‘Oh What a Lovely War.’
It had not changed and the landlord was the same plus there was a great view over the harbour and old power station. Both Shelley and my-self were made welcome. I had some free cheese and biscuits, being Sunday he managed to scrounge a packet of crisps from a couple at the bar. Suddenly there were two loud bangs and three of the pub regulars ran out leaving their drinks and drove off at speed. As I was to find out later they were members of the local Shoreham Lifeboat crew.
I had already taken to this establishment as it reminded me so much of Southwold. Perhaps a move a few miles along the coast might be a good idea – it would be cheaper and the place had a nice character and feel to it.
I returned to Hove and the next day set the ball in motion.
End of Chapter Eight
A NEW
One by one the trainee cabin crews jumped into the pool fully clothed and made their way to an inflated rubber dingy followed by Shelley barking and swimming around them waiting to be rescued. I did ask if there were any objections, but all seemed happy.
What was also nice was that one could leave her in the hotel room knowing that there would be no damage or no barking which was a real added bonus.
One night when we were away I came back to the room to find she had been very ill. I found a grey paper mache tray on the floor up-side down with the name Rentokil on the side. It was no ones fault - the pest control people had put a repellent under one of the radiator cabinets resulting in Shelley retrieving it and eating the contents. I contacted the local vets and Rentokil and was advised to give her lots of water. I am glad to say all returned to normal after a few hours. The hotel also accepted full responsibility and I was offered a free weekend of my choice as a result (which I have never taken to this day). Shelly also went back home with a box of goodies!
As time went on – we became a pair and many people living in the area got to know us – in those early days I kept my-self to my-self. If I did go out for a drink it was always to the same place a hotel called Langford’s in ‘Third Avenue’.
It was family run and the manager Roy Merrick was a wonderful person. He had a dog of his own and it was one of those establishments that had a very good local clientele. We were soon accepted (like in Southwold) and Shelley became part of the furniture with her regular place under one of the long seats by the window popping her head out from time to time to make sure I was still there. I made some good friends – one person a chap called Guy Patterson whose father had been a Navy pilot in the war was always very sociable. We got to know each other well and his parents were great characters. Brian his father had some interesting stories relating to his wartime flying experiences and as it happened turned out to be quite a hero resulting in some medals for his bravery. Both Joyce and Brian Patterson were to become long standing friends of mine.
Life in Hove was going well however; there was one problem, money and trying to save and get something sorted for the future was not going to plan whilst it seemed such a waste to spend money on renting when I could look at ways to save money for a deposit for a property of my own.
One day as it was nice and sunny I took a long walk to Southwick to have a drink in ‘The Schooner Inn’. This was the pub I went to many years ago when they were making the film ‘Oh What a Lovely War.’
It had not changed and the landlord was the same plus there was a great view over the harbour and old power station. Both Shelley and my-self were made welcome. I had some free cheese and biscuits, being Sunday he managed to scrounge a packet of crisps from a couple at the bar. Suddenly there were two loud bangs and three of the pub regulars ran out leaving their drinks and drove off at speed. As I was to find out later they were members of the local Shoreham Lifeboat crew.
I had already taken to this establishment as it reminded me so much of Southwold. Perhaps a move a few miles along the coast might be a good idea – it would be cheaper and the place had a nice character and feel to it.
I returned to Hove and the next day set the ball in motion.
End of Chapter Eight
A NEW
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