How To Make A Stranger Laugh

Today I had an idea. Not quite as revolutionary an idea as making Swansea Britain's first Adidas-free city or enforcing weekly paella in every school but it was an idea all the same. The idea was to write to my friend Jason. An actual letter. Pen and paper. Envelope and stamp. All I needed was a location to write it in.

Living room? Library? Parisian style café? Pub beer garden? Only one contender. Out came the walking boots, combat shorts and factor 15 sun cream preceding a three-mile hike to The Stag At Offchurch. 

What is it with this recent phenomenon of naming pubs The Something At Somewhere? Is it an attempt to somehow give a pub more kudos by over emphasising where it's located? Will other establishments soon follow suit – 'The Launderette At Aberystwyth' or 'The Dentist At Lyme Regis'?

On my way to The Stag At Offchurch, a woman passed me walking four spectacularly different dogs. I complimented the woman on her 'nice array'. She laughed out loud. 

I could have just said 'Hi' but with a little extra effort I've upped her endorphins and given her something amusing to share when she gets back home to the husband. "Keith, I was walking earlier near Offchurch and this jolly man passed by, looking at the dogs. He turned to me and said 'nice array'. Oh Keith how I laughed. I mean it's what you say about flowers isn't it Keith. Not dogs."