Pet Pubs

Bruno, Reg, Tom, Jack and Daniel, are just as well known as the publicans in the countryside and seaside pubs in East Kent. Their distinctive personalities enliven and enrich the pub..

Bruno is the latest canine to pace the floors at the newly refurbished seaside pub - the Zetland Arms. He is a lovely, lollopping black labrador, who has overcome being born without a hip bone. He provides a warm welcome and loves a stroke and cuddle.

Down the road, the pet that undoubtedly rules at the Rising Sun, is Tom, a ginger Tom-cat with a feisty character. He can often be found standing to attention at the front door or lounging at the bar. Although he purrs at being stroked, you have to be alert as he is just as likely to use his prickly paws to give you a gentle swipe. Upstairs is Reg, a confident Staffordshire terrier who likes a good bark at the birds and anything else moving at night. He is a fantastic deterrent against any villains who are looking to disturb the peace.

Jack and Daniel are two sleepy cats who luxuriate in the warmth and hospitality of the Red Lion pub at Stodmarsh. They are quite at home in this quirkly, family-run pub, set deep in the East Kent country-side.

Other pubs with pets that deserve a mention are Bumble, a sleek red setter whose lithesome limbs stretch across the floor of the sixteenth century pub, the Black Pig, and Merlot and Claret, who were the resident cats at the White Horse in Dover. They have moved on in the last few months, so we are waiting for news of where they will pop up, and who might grace the doorsteps of one of Dover's oldest pubs next.

Whether feline or canine, all of these animals are great characters, who are just as happy at home as their human companions. It's worth a visit, just to greet and shake a paw.

Turner Contemporary at Margate

Snow Storm - Steam boat off a Harbour's Mouth, exhibited 1842 and seen by me today

I think that the Turner Contemporary, the new Art Gallery in Margate is one of the best thing's that has happened to the town for a very long time. It shows the commitment of the local people, the council, and funders to the belief that Margate can once again have a heyday as a fine seaside town. New to the Gallery is an impressive array of Turner paintings taking you on a journey through Turner's fascination with the four elements: air, earth, fire and water. I've always loved Turner paintings, particularly the turbulent sea scenes where water and air boil and mash together. This scene if my favourite from the new exhibition and I hope that many people visit, stroll along the sandy beach, and maybe visit the Lifeboat for a fine pie and a selection of even finer ales and cider. 

Sara's Chocolates, Deal

Flora Mayflower Oriental Tea at Sara's Chocolates

This is a fantastic chocolate-shop-come cafe, with a delicious range of hand-picked chocolates that are beautifully packaged in a wide variety of boxes, perfect for presents or for a treat for yourself. Sara also prepares really thick, warming hot chocolates (both dark and milk) which warm you from head to toe, as well as tasty homemade soups and specials such as hot camenbert which was served today. But, new to the shop is a range of teas, from Flora Tea, which have to be seen to be believed. Starting as an unprepossessing walnut-shaped ball, which then unfurls when seeped in boiling water to  reveal an inner flower surrounded by fronds of green tea leaves, combined with other herbs. I had a Mayflower Oriental tea, which was just beautiful. I could have been 200 metres deep diving on a coral reef with anenome fronds and orange/peachy flowers. If you love something a bit unusual, love the  delicate taste of green tea infused with herbs, and are happy to immerse yourself in the visual experience of watching this tea grow into an underwater garden, then you'll love this. [Sara's Chocoates is at 71 Middle Street in the historic town of Deal.]