A Puppy Named Pip

“Um, this bus is flying!”

Our bus trip from Sheffield, where our train arrived from London, was memorable. Not just for the incredible scenery of the National Peak District of England, with its rolling hills dotted with sheep and it’s dry stone walls that look hundreds of years old, but also because the bus driver drove like he was on a mission to break the all time speed record from Sheffield to Bakewell.

Michaela and David, the homeowners, picked us up in the center of Bakewell, a small picturesque town overflowing with visitors, tourists and locals.

From the first “Hello” we instantly liked Michaela and David. They drove us back to their beautiful home where we met their children and of course Pip, the Labrador Retriever puppy. When we walked into the kitchen I had to catch my breath, the view from the large windows was amazing! There was a beautiful garden (what we call a yard), beyond that was a paddock filled with sheep, beyond that another paddock with horses. The whole area was surrounded with rolling hills.

David grabbed some beers and we sat on the patio. Conversation came easy while Pip ran around the garden chasing toys. We then all took Pip for a walk through the paddocks. That is when we met Bruno and Quiff, the horses owned by a friend.   

The view again was spectacular!

Later that night, Michaela and David fixed us a wonderful meal. We talked some more after dinner and then headed to our room. The next morning the family headed off for vacation.

John and I spent the next four days playing a LOT of ball with Pip, taking him for walks and prying various objects out of his mouth. Pip is a puppy and puppies like to chew. He would get such a look on his face as he pranced around with something that should not be in his mouth. Pip was a character!

John and I went into Bakewell and explored the town. We ate in a traditional pub, found a bridge full of lover’s locks and shopped at the Co Op. We bought cheeses and charcuterie, the most amazing fresh French bread and even some champagne!

During our stay, we found a brewery! Our last night taking care of Pip was also the last Wednesday of the month on which Thornbridge Brewery holds a social. It was an easy ten minute walk from the house. When we arrived there was a pizza tent set up outside along with comfy chairs and tables, We had a couple brews and a delicious pizza. Upon paying for the pizza, I did the most American thing and tipped the girl handling the transaction. She looked at me, thanked me a little too much and set the money aside. I had that awkward feeling that I did something wrong. Yep, David told us later that tipping is just not something that’s done. In the UK, restaurants may add a “discretionary and optional” percentage onto the bill but everywhere else it is just not done. Michaela and David got a giggle out of that. To tip or not to tip, that is a debate for another day.

On our last day, we had some tea with Michaela and David before David took us to the train station in Chesterfield. We left Bakewell with great memories, new friends and a gift from the family for having the pleasure of staying at their home and having the enjoyment of taking care of Pip. This was our very first house/pet sit abroad and it couldn’t have been better.