Clare Teal: Too excited to sleep as we dash to meet a new friend

We were washed, brushed and out of the door by 7.15. It was a dark miserable morning and the traffic was frustratingly stop-start stop-start, especially through Salisbury. Our meticulously planned schedule was slipping. Thankfully Muddy is a brilliant driver, always safe but with an inbuilt ability to go like the clappers when necessary. Despite having left what I thought enough time, we reached Southampton docks with minutes to spare and zoomed onto the Red Funnel. Phew. I hate ferries more than I hate wasps and I hate the sea even more than I hate ferries. I don’t cross any body of water without very good reason.

It’s while attempting to slurp a coffee, eat a muffin and write this column that I discover that a tornado hit nearby Hayling Island just yesterday, that and I’ve run out of travel sickness pills.

Despite the weather report, our crossing is relatively peaceful and calm and by the time we pulled into East Cowes, the sun was cracking the flags... not.

Having stood by an open window for most of the journey I didn’t feel too bad, although judging by my sickly pallor I could have been auditioning for the lead role in Wicked.

Lunch at The Garlic Farm helped perk me up – there’s a surprise. I didn’t fancy the garlic ice cream but the garlic cheese was fantastic. .

Finally, the time had come and after a short drive we pulled up to the house and excitedly knocked on the door, “We’re here.” Mud’s mum Di had come with us as she is an authority on these things. “Are you sure you’re happy with the name – absolutely sure?” “Absolutely sure”.

“Come in” said the man, “They’re in here.” A few seconds later a warm tiny two-week-old bundle of fluff was placed in my arms.

“Hello little puppy – you’re going to be loved very much and we’re going to call you Alan.”

I don’t know what was worse – leaving Alan or getting on that blasted boat again.