An Intellectual Offering, or Merely Grumpy Lowering the Tone.

I've never fully read Samuel Pepys Diaries so I'm not sure how intellectual they are. When I re-read my 1985 diary I am amazed as to what events I diligently recorded. Of world shattering importance they are not, but, what the heck, they amuse me!

I had an accident early in that year, seriously curtailing my activities. It also entailed being 'on the club'. I already suffered from the effects of a motorcycle accident in 1959 so I spent four weeks alternating between physiotherapy and various dinnertime visits to pubs. I know, I know, terrible but I'm older and wiser now. Go on then, older!. The following diary extract gives food for thought.

Diary 5th March 1985
I receive the message that the Cavendish, my 'watering hole' for much of last month, no longer allows dogs in the lounge. I am surprised as this was not the case last month. the reason, it transpires is as follows.
The Cavendish, not the most salubrious of pubs has been attempting to 'move upmarket' by selling sandwiches etc at dinnertimes. Ron and friend, two characters not renowned for their sartorial elegance, frequent the pub for hours on end, dinnertime and evening, complete with a large friendly Staffordshire bull terrier. One dinnertime, in the middle of 'sandwiches' someone broke wind, silently but disgustingly effective; sandwiches were discarded. The culprit, it was decided, was Sam, the bull terrier. He was unceremoniously 'outed', a notice now proclaims 'No Dogs Admitted.' Dogs can't talk, but even Sam knows he was not guilty. Old Ron, not unaturally, is saying nothing!

Who said they did not wish to know that!