I have just finished editing all the entries for this blog and going through all the photos. I expect there are still some spelling mistakes and typos.

It occurred to me while doing this there were a few references to the "Pub Guide". This is something Pippa and I started doing on my phone as a way to remember the better pubs and where we could take the dog. We decided to grade the pubs for future reference.

It is not as extensive as it could be, but here is the explanation of how it is graded. For the individual gradings go to the photo album that corresponds.

Each pub is given a grading out of 5. Of course the highest is 5/5. This would be the perfect pub and one we would visit again if in the area.

The points are as follows:

Dog-a-bility: Is Anouk allowed inside and outside and is water provided and a feeling that dogs are welcome not just tolerated. 1 point for all the above. 1/2 if outside only, but all other criteria is met.

Atmosphere: This is the physical feel. Warm, comfortable, historic, welcoming and includes the other clientèle. Do we feel like we are happy or have just walked into someone else's 'local' and the rinky tink piano stops and everyone dives under the table to the background tune of 'the good, the bad and the ugly' 1/2 point each way physical/clientèle.

Staff/Service: Essentially are we served or ignored. Do we get a friendly smile or a menacing scowl. Are we a customer or an inconvenience? generally 1 or 0 as one bad staff member experience will ruin your day.

Food: Do we like it? Is the menu vegetarian friendly or did the kitchen hand personally pull the meat our of the meal just before bringing it to the table. Do they have a decent range of red wines by the glass and do they serve Hoegaarden?

Value: Only if the food is good will any pub score in this section. We scale at about 7 pounds per main. This can go up if the food is really good, but more than 10 pounds for any pub lunch is not what we expect so value for money would score a 0 in these cases.

It is a bit of fun and currently country pubs are scoring by far better than city pubs. Usually because we can not take the dog into most city pubs. The odd exception to the dog rule was the Prince Albert in Battersea. But this was the only points it scored. It was one of the worst pub experience we have had in England.

Anyway have a look at the photos, occasionally the total would be lower if for example we did not eat at the pub or did not have the dog with us, so could not score for her.

The Blue Ball, Nicholashayne, Devon 5/5

This was our local in Devon. The perfect pub and we visited several times. Pity is was in the next village so we had to drive there. But they can not lose points for that.

The Oak Inn, Ardingley, East Sussex 5/5

Perfection. Low beam ceilings, a fireplace you can sit in and have the dog curl up by the fire. All topped off with great food and service.

The Old Nun's Head, Nunhead, London 5/5

Perfection in London. This is rare, but also a pub we have been to several times and had great Spring rolls. Well located to meet up with the Freemans.

King Alfred, Burrowbridge, Somerset. 5/5

Another perfect country pub. Great at everything and would be a local if we lived closer. Pity it is on a nasty intersection. But the pub was there before the intersection.

The Cross Keys, Upper Chute, Wiltshire. 5/5

Family Christmas get together in Feb as the real one was stopped due of snow. It was also Pippa's birthday. Really good at everything a country pub should be.

The Lamb, Marlborough, Wiltshire. 5/5

This is were we stayed for the Archaic Weekend. A great place, though we have to judge the food by the breakfast which was very good. perfect little

The Angel, Rotherhithe, London 5/5

Really nice pub on the river with views down to Tower Bridge. Easy walk from Southwark Park with the dog. Not the biggest menu but all good.

The Old Salt Quey, Rotherhithe, London 5/5

Another perfect place in London. Right on the Thames with good food and atmosphere. Unfortunately Rotherhithe is a little far to go now we live in Herne Hill.

Bankes Inn, Corfe Castle, Dorset 4.5/5

Beautiful Inn we stayed in during our visit to Dorset and Lyme Regis (see blog). Everything we expected from a country Inn, warm open fires in the dining room, set is a great rustic village and wonderful service. A little on the expensive side because of the touristy nature of Corfe. But we were there in the off season so a little over priced.

Hawkley Inn, Hawkley, Hampshire 4.5/5

Great little country pub. Warm fires and quaint feel. Perhaps a little expensive for the quality of the food.

Queen's Head, Sedlescombe, East Sussex 4.5/5

We were thinking this is another perfect country pub. But there were overtures of the rinky tink piano when I walked to the bar. Funny I was telling Amy about the pub guide and was overheard by a staff member and the service improved. Pity about the clientèle

Castle & Ball, Marlborough, Wiltshire 3.5/4

Christopher Hughes was so impressed he did an etching of this pub. Pippa, Amy and I ate there on my birthday weekend Archaic tour (see blog). We did not take Anouk with us so can not be sure of the dog rule. Food was excellent and it was a funny experience with the new waitress trying to work out what drink I wanted. And she gave us the wine with no glasses or ice bucket. lost 1/2 a point of service

Mayflower, Rotherhithe, London 3/3

Another Thames side pub in SE London. We have been for a drink a few times but have never eaten there. I fear it may be a little expensive. Only scored so far out of 3

The White Horse Inn, Woolstone, Oxfordshire 4.5/5

Again almost the perfect score. The owner was arrogant and rude, but the rest of the staff worked hard to make up for him. A bit of a Wally in an otherwise very nice place

Beambridge Inn, Wellington, Devon 3.5/4

A last minute thought to go out to dinner with Katharine. A bit bland atmosphere and we did not have the dog. Everything else was OK, perhaps a bit without character.

Half Moon Hotel, Herne Hill, London 4/5

This is our local. Only draw back is they only do pizzas for food. But we can walk there and it is dog friendly. great place for a drink, but not to eat.

Clockhouse, Peckham Rye, London 4/5

Nice little place opposite one of our favourite parks. Food is limited so only 1/2 point and the dog is not allowed inside, another 1/2 lost. But nice for a drink and we have been several times.

Thameside Inn, Sothwark, London 4/5

Right on the Thames in a beautiful historic part of Southwark near the cathedral and Borough market. Serve great sausage and mash. Unfortunately they do not allow dogs at all so the best they can score is a 4. But if I am in town without the dog I bee line for here.

Rose & Crown, Lytchett Martravers, Dorset 2.5/3

A bit of a odd bod. We were driving around Corfe Castle area looking for lunch with very little success. We stopped here with lowish expectations and were surprised. We did not eat here and the décor was 70s at best, but not too bad overall.

Harvester, Portsmouth, Hampshire 1.5/5

One of the lowest scoring pubs on the list. Average food and dirty glasses, generic atmosphere, could have been anywhere and if we had the dog we were only allowed on the grass outside, not even a table. But we had a nice waitress

Prince Albert, Battersea, London 1/5

Disgustingly full of Dulwich darlings and Battersea babes. Pretentious and nothing going for it except dog friendly. Assuming she is not trodden on by the hovering vultures waiting for us to finish and leave our table. Worst pub experience in England. But it is Battersea 'say hi to your kids' Gabby country