Dogs Allowed: Counter Cafe at Stour Space
Yesterday was a lovely sunny day, so to make the most of it before the rain returned (which it has today) we headed off for one of our favourite local walks – it’s not right on our doorstep – but a 5 minute car journey. We park in the free council car park (yes you did read that right) next to my favourite garden centre Growing Concerns next to the St Marks Gate entrance to Victoria Park. We then wander along the canal past the Olympic Statium and normally would join the Greenway Walk and head to the View Tube with its great views of the Olympic Park for a lovely coffee and croisant at the fab Container Cafe. However the access from the canal was fenced off for building work (this is right where the althletes will cross from their training track to the main arena)
So we back tracked and crossed over the lock to Fish Island to check out the Counter Cafe (the same folk that run the Container Cafe) at Stour Space. They’ve opened up a lovely outside area over looking the canal with views of the Olympic Stadium, and, music to our ears, they allow well behaved dogs, hurrah! We arrived about 11am and soon after it really started filling up for the amazing looking breakfasts, so we advise getting there early for a prime spot. We had our usual delicious coffee and croissant but vowed to go back soon with Edwyn to sample the more hearty offerings.
We’re always so chuffed to find a new dog friendly venue!
Stour Space is also an exhibition space, well worth checking out. James Brown has an exhibition of his prints on at the moment.
Stour Space
7 Roach Road
Fish Island
E3 2PA
T: 020 89857827
E: info@stourspace.co.uk
We Love Pudsey
Yes, a dog (and his amazing owner) won a prime time British talent contest last night! We and the whole country were rooting for them (and we’re pretty sure the Queen was too – after all they will go on to perform for her) So we thought we should share the video with those not in the UK and those who may have missed it.
Pudsey and Ashleigh have such an amazing bond, it’s a joy to watch. I hope we get to see lots more of them!
How to photograph dogs…..
……. get Gerrard Gethings Dogtown Studio to do it for you!
I met Gerrard at the Mayhew Animal Home fundraising event Hyde Bark the other week (sorry I was so preoccupied I took very few and not very good photographs of the event itself) Gerrard came along with his adorable Border Terrier Baxter (and lovely partner) and bought him one of our spotty neckerchiefs.
He took this snap on Instagram, yup, on an iPhone and I love it!
Follow him on Twitter to see more wonderful photographs. But even better than that check out his website and his wonderful professional photography….especially the dogs (yes, it’s always about the dogs)
Gerrard loves photographing dogs as you’ll see on his site, and his rates won’t bankrupt you (but you’d be forgiven for thinking they might as they’re absolutely stunning!) We’re planning to get beardy Welsh Terrier Edwyn captured – just need to get the sruffy fluffball in ship shape first!
EdwynUK at Hyde Bark
We are really exited to be taking part in The Mayhew Animal Home’s fantastic Hyde Bark Event. It really is an action packed day of events for you and your family, both two and four legged! There is far too much to list, and they’ve done a much better job over on their website here. Highlights are the Diamond Dog Show from 10.30 to 12.30, £3 to enter, which helps fund the invaluable work of the rescue centre. I have it on good authority that Jo and Anna from BBC London’s Barking at the Moon will be judging, so that will be double fun! There is also the Diamond Jubilead Sponsored Dog walk, which is your opportunity to do a 5k or 2k walk around Hyde Park and The Serpentine and help raise money for the home.
We will be there with lots of lovely handmade items for you and your dog, a bigger selection than you’ll find online, some one-offs and samples. Neckerchiefs and keyrings will be at special reduced prices, so even more incentive to come see us in person! There will be lots of other lovely stalls on show and we’re particularly keen to indulge in The Golden Afternoon Tea Company‘s Dog themed teas!
All in all it looks like a fantastic day out, and we’d love to see you there and meet your wonderful dogs, so make space in your diary and come along!
Hyde Bark, Sunday 15th April, ’The Old Football Pitches’, near The Pavilion and the Bowling Green, Royal Albert Hall side. Nearest entrances are the ‘Alexandra Gate’, ‘Prince Of Wales Gate’, ‘Rutland Gate’.
*UPDATE*
Click here for a map and details of the walks, which you can register for on the day. Hyde Bark Map & Jubilead Details
Forecast is for sunshine, but it will be cold, so London layers recommended!
Coco for Mayor of London!
It seems Ken Livingstone is pulling out all the stops in his race to be re-elected Mayor of London and although I find some of his antics a bit suspect I think he’s got it licked with this one – meet Coco the Labrador who joined Ken in Kilburn yesterday. The OH declared that Ken had his vote, purely because of the dog (and him with politics somewhere in the title of his degree…) I would like to say that it’s because I’ve been to one of Ken’s Q&A sessions and been impressed with his quick mind and grasp of facts and compassion for our London youth – oh and the fact that he’s the only politician I’ve passed on my street in East London….. But the dog clinches it, sorry Jenny……
Ken Livingstone’s secret weapon in the race for City Hall | ITV News.
Did You Catch Crufts 2012?
Well if not, then YouTube is the place to catch up. Here is a very sweet video of the Wire Fox Terrier Best of Breed, I love the fact the breeder didn’t want to get through to Best in Show, one because she didn’t like the carpet! And two because she gets so nervous – a woman who loves her dogs, and you can see why:
No footage of Welsh Terriers as far as I can see, (apart from a little on the Terrier Group Judging) but if you want to see more Crufts has plenty on it’s very own YouTube channel.
Happy St Davids Day!
Edwyn, as you know is a Welsh Terrier, and comes from a lovely lady, Lesley Hood-Bourton, in North Wales (after an extensive interview for suitability I might add….) so we have to mark St David’s Day in one way or another. We have a lovely bunch of British daffodils by our desk, and Edwyn had a great run on Hackney Marshes, followed by a Lilly’s Kitchen lamb hotpot breakfast, but unfortunately he does not own this rather splendid Welsh Collar by Holly and Lil.….. unlike his pal Dooley, seen here wearing his at the Chiswick Dog Show last year….. I shall have to put that right!
