Travel Schlepp Goes to England and Meets a Friend

The sky began to clear as we drove toward Arundel.  Schlepp was just finishing his story about how he and 
Master Large Schlepp came to live with “Karl & Caro”, when I overheard Master Karl mention something to 
Caroline about hoping Fran’s ok.  Suddenly, I noticed that the furry one had gone all quiet and still (which is 
certainly not his customary demeanor). 

“Who’s Fran?” I inquired of him, “And why wouldn’t he or she be all right? 

“She’s my very best friend in the whole world!” he exclaimed, with even more than his customary vehemence.  “And she’s perfectly fine”. 

I found myself experiencing an uncomfortable and unfamiliar sensation.  I’d not thought that Schlepp might 
have other “friends” besides myself.  I certainly didn’t have any other friends besides Schlepp and was starting 
to grow accustomed to having a companion with whom to share stories and adventures (which I supposed at the 
time was what being “friends” meant) 

Reading my thoughts, as she is prone to do, Caroline commented, “Willie, Fran is Schlepp’s best human friend, and we’re a little worried because she might have a very serious illness.” 

“And,” the furry one piped in, “She’s Caro’s very best aunt in the whole world.” 

“Well, yes...” Caroline commented, “but, Schlepp, she’s also my only aunt in the whole world.”  

I didn’t want to press the matter, but I was growing confused by all of this.  “Schlepp,” I inquired, “Aren’t Master Karl and the lady Caroline your best human friends?” 

“Don’t be silly, Willie.” The furry one replied, “They’re my human family.” 

“But Schlepp, can’t family be friends?” 

“Now you’re confusing me, Willie.  You ask too many questions.” Schlepp replied with a hint of asperity. 

Caroline pipped in with a smile in her voice, “By that, Willie, Schlepp means that he doesn’t have an answer for 
you, but doesn’t want to admit it.  Perhaps the two of you should discuss this with Big Schlepp when you get 
home.” 

“Yeah, Willie, that’s what we’ll do.  Big Schlepp knows everything.”  With this, the furry one seemed to regain his 
customary ebullience. 

So I let the subject rest there, although I still wanted to know more about this Fran person who might have an 
illness, for despite his denying it, Schlepp was clearly worried about her well-being.  I began to consider that 
this business of being friends might be somewhat more complex than I’d first thought. 

Suddenly, Caroline pointed and exclaimed with great enthusiasm, “Look!  It’s the castle!”  This caused Master 
Karl considerable amusement (and Schlepp, too).  By this time, I’d already begun to notice that nothing seemed to 
bring more pleasure to Master Karl than when his lady Caroline expressed feelings of happiness and excitement. 
Does that make Master Karl and Caroline “friends” as well as being husband and wife?  I wondered, not daring to inquire of the furry one for fear that he’d snap at me again, or just say “We’ll ask Big Schlepp.”  I’d seen many 
husbands and wives during my tenure at The George, and I’d have to say that some of them didn’t seem as “friendly” 
with each other as did Master Karl and his lady, Caroline. 

The sun had come shining out as Master Karl negotiated the narrow, winding street up through the ancient town of Arundel to the parking area near the 
castle.  Master Karl and Caroline were anxious to explore, but wanted a quick lunch first.  So we stopped at a local 
pub where Caroline experienced her first “ploughman’s lunch” .  This is a famous meal in England, consisting of cheese,  bread, pickle (a special English relish), and good English ale. She seemed to enjoy it greatly and wanted to know how she could purchase “pickle” relish (which she did later buy at a grocer’s).  While Master Karl and Caroline were chatting over lunch, I took the opportunity to educate the furry one on a little English history.  I explained that Arundel castle had been standing for almost a thousand years and had always been in the family of the Duke of Norfolk.  For once, I was able hold my own with Schlepp and he listened to my tale with great interest.  I’d forgotten that in American they don’t 
have royalty, or a queen, or parliament.  They do have a president and congress and a senate.  And I’ve heard on the tele that Americans sometimes treat their movie stars like royalty. 

Finally, we were on the path leading up to the castle. It was huge (the castle I mean).  Even Schlepp was impressed and jumping up and down inside Master Karl’s travel bag.  After crossing the drawbridge than runs over the moat, we climbed all the way to the top - The Keep - where they watched for enemy armies.  We looked through the slitted windows from which they could shoot 
arrows if their enemies came too close to the outside of  the castle.  Caroline was as excited as I’d ever seen her and Master Karl was shooting photos left and right.  (I’m sure you’ve seem some of those photos by now.)  I suspect 
that the furry one was imaging himself as a soldier in the service of the Duke’s army, preparing for battle.  I have to 
admit it would be difficult not to have flights of imagination in such a place as Arundel Castle. 
 

Finally, and regretfully, we headed back toward our car.  I could tell that Caroline would have stayed longer, but Master Karl was concerned about finding the night’s lodging – a place called “Hooke Hall” some distance to the northwest of Arundel. 

As we drove away, we caught a glimpse of the Arun River, which gives name to the town and castle.  Both Schlepp and I were feeling rather fatigued by that time 
and, I must admit, settled in for a bit of the shut eye (or “nap” as you Americans call it).  I’m sure Schlepp was dreaming of great battles as he drifted off. 

Well, all right, I’ll admit that I was dreaming about defeating the enemy and winning the admiration of the Duke himself, when I awoke abruptly as our little red car came to a stop inside a small walled parking area and I heard Master Karl say to  Caroline, “Hooke Hall, My 
Lady.” 

 It was a rather pleasant old house and actually larger than it looked at first glance.  I try not to make comparisons with The George, or be snobbish.  One must make allowances for newer, less venerable residences.  Hooke Hall appeared to be only a few hundred years old, but possessed a certain rural charm.  Our room was on the top floor with a lovely deck (which was reminiscent of 
The G.) and it was a relatively large room.  Master Karl and Caroline seemed content to call it home for the next three days – our last in England. 

During the next few days, we explored to the south, visiting Battle Abbey, location of the famous Battle of Hastings.  I explained to Schlepp that a thousand years ago, England was peopled by Saxons.  Then, William the Norman and his army invaded England near Hastings 
and a great battle ensued on the field below the Abbey.  Schlepp, like many bears, is fascinated by the details of 
great battles and was interested to learn that the Normans won the day.  Schlepp suggested that perhaps I was named for the great warrior “William the Conqueror” as he became known after the battle.  (I didn’t want to damping his enthusiasm, but I doubt that was my 
maker’s intention when I was given my name.) 

Next, we visited Hever Castle, home of Anne Bolyn, who was King Henry VIII’s second (or third) wife.  (He had so many wives - six in all)  Although Hever Castle is much smaller than Arundel and not as imposing; still, it was an interesting place to visit.  It made Caroline sad to think of 
the young Anne Bolyn waiting in the tower of London for her execution--so young and so brave.  She might have 
saved her own life if she’d allowed her young daughter, Elizabeth, to be removed as heir to the throne.  But she 
wouldn’t do it.  (And it’s a good thing, too, because Elizabeth [“Queen Bess”] became one of England’s greatest and best loved monarchs. 
 

Suddenly our last three days in England were gone and Master Karl was packing the little red car for our drive toward London.  We drove for a long time and then turned in our red little car to the rental agency.  We then took a train for awhile, finally ending up inside Gattwick 
Airport near London.  I’m embarrassed to admit that I fell asleep during part of that time and was a little confused when I woke, thinking that maybe we were already in America.  I wished I hadn’t mentioned it when the furry one started laughing so hard he almost tumbled out of Master Karl’s bag.  But Caroline made me feel better.  “It’s ok, Willie, you haven’t traveled very much yet and how could you know about all of this.  Perhaps Travel Schlepp could stop laughing long enough to fill you in on what it will be like to fly across the ocean.” 

That, of course, set him off on a long-winded narrative about his many overseas flights.  I was glad, later, that he’d warned me he might not see much of me on the flight because sometimes Master Karl places his travel bag (with Schlepp inside) above the seat in a 
special, closed compartment.  Schlepp assured me that he didn’t mind as he liked to “snooze away on long flights 
to avoid getting ‘jet-lagged’.”  Although I didn’t have a clue as to the meaning of being “jet-lagged” I decided I’d follow 
Schlepp’s advice and sleep as much as possible – if I could.  I must admit to having the old butterflies in the 
tummy, if you know what I mean.  After all, I’d never been on an airplane before, much less one that was taking me 
far away from my country and everything familiar. 

Actually, the airplane was so big that I didn’t even realize we were inside it until Caroline sat down and buckled her seat belt.  She placed her bag (with me 
inside) right at her feet and reassured me that she wouldn’t leave me alone for even a minute.  And, as he’d predicted, the furry one (in Master Karl’s bag) was stowed out of sight and I assumed he was already settling in for his long lay-down (or, as he puts it “snooze”). 
 

(Oops, Caroline has run out of time as she needs to make Sunday morning telephone calls to the family.  I’ll say now that the overseas flight was rather uneventful.  I “snoozed” a lot as the drone of the big airplane’s engines 
seemed to lull me into a very drowsy state. 

Next time Caroline lets me get on with my story, I’ll tell you about landing at the Atlanta Airport and then, finally, reaching New Mexico.  While this may not sound 
very exciting to you, it was for me; especially the part where they had customs dogs sniffing at everything - even me.)