I must start this letter with an apology. I have been silent for far longer than I had planned, but life is going by so quickly that I am having trouble taking it all in!
As you know, since my fortunate escape from the hateful crate, I have been located in a fair number of beautiful properties, all seemingly called Chipman Hill Suites. I have been trying to work out how each of these several different homes all seem to have the same name.
In my earlier days (seemingly decades ago), when I resided in England, each house had both a street address and it’s own name………..such as Fairways, White Cottage, Sedalia, The Old Farm, The Vicarage and so on.
Here, in the new world, or at least here in Chipman Hill Suites, each building is named Chipman Hill Suites, followed by a street address.
I am, as of this morning, now guarding Chipman Hill Suites at 71 Sydney Street.
This building, I have learned, was once the home to a prominent physician and healer, a Dr. White, who was also the mayor of this City of Saint John. It is a gracious brick structure with beautiful furnishings in multiple parlours here on the main floor. I enjoy seeing the look on the guest’s faces when they open up the front door and step into the gracious foyer which I am now guarding.
Speaking of floors, it is rumoured that Dr. White went on an extended trip and in his absence, his lady wife had the roof removed and a third story added to the home! I can well imagine what a surprise, or dare I say a shock the good doctor had upon his return.
Unlike the other Chipman Hill Suites buildings where I have previously resided, the guests here seem to stay for a much shorter period of time. Often, only a night or two. I worry that I may not be able to know them as well as I knew the guests in my previous locations who generally stayed for months at a time.
I am still trying to work out exactly how all this works, but as far as I have worked out, some of the buildings tend to have long term stayers, but this one, and perhaps there are others, have mostly nightly guests, somewhat like a coaching inn from back in my earlier days.
This building also has a piano. It is not a shiny white baby grand style like my beloved young lady played so wonderfully at one of my former residences, but it is older and taller, apparently it is called an “upright” piano. Apparently the Lady Susan plays the piano, although I have never heard her play it.
During my transportation here today, I noticed that fall is in the air, although on my way out, from 9 Chipman Hill, I saw Sir Keith artistically applying a fresh coat of paint to the doors. He commented that there will only be a few more painting days before it is too cold, so he is painting as fast as he can, although perfectly.
I smelled a new smell during my transportation. It is called “New Car Smell”. Apparently, the Lady Marilyn, has a new coach. It is called a “van” and has, indeed, an engine. No horses are needed, and it goes very fast. She is very pleased with it. It seems to be called “Toyota”. I wonder what Toyota means.
As I write my blog during the night hours, inbetween patrolling the building, and dawn is breaking, I must once again bid my readers “adieu”, and return to my frozen stance.
I will write again soon, dear readers.
Sir Syd.
