"to take tea"

A confusion has arisen about the correct term for "taking tea". Traditionally one would "take tea" in the afternoon between 3pm and 4pm and so became known as "afternoon tea". Anna Maria Duchess of Bedford 1783 to 1857 is credited as the first person to have transformed "taking tea" into an afternoon meal, she sent cards to her friends inviting them to join her for "tea and walking in the fields", "afternoon tea" spread through fashionable society.
"afternoon tea"is composed of loose tea brewed in a teapot, served in bone china tea cups and accompanied by sandwiches, cuccumber , egg and cress, scones with clotted cream and jam and perhaps a victoria sponge. However, the term "high tea" is sometimes used incorrectly when referring to "afternoon tea", perhaps because some think the word sounds lofty and regal. In fact it is an early evening meal served between 5pm and 7pm by the working classes , consisting of meats, egg, shepherds pie and a heavy cake. It can also refer to a meal that children would eat before they were old enough to stay up for supper or dinner. It is suggested that the term developed as "afternoon tea" was served in the drawing room at a "low " table and "high tea" served at a dining room/kitchen table at a "high" table.

However, I feel to be correct in a very old fashioned way, one should just refer to it as tea. For those in the know, its like talking about riding, and refering to it as "horseback riding", for a fuller explanation please read "How to Get on in Society" by John Betjeman.

end of another era

This is the week of speech and sports days and end of terms, only 3 this week, and for our daughter Flo her last one. What a brilliant day for her, she won the textile prize, read in chapel, won the award for being sacrastant, and looked gorgeous all day. On Thursday Johnny s speech day and then on Saturday Aggie s. ( Tom is now at Durham university, 2 more years till his graduation which will go in a flash)

And I should know by the end of the week about my possible involvement in the Country House Rescue programme. So keep your fingers crossed.

What a week !

This week has been full of contrasts. My beloved seaside house, Rose Cottage Bawdsey was let to friend s grown up daughters for a hen party. Was I stupid or what. The sausages were left on the grill unattended, 10 minutes later a full fat fire with flames up the wall, yet the modern attitude is "not my fault". Well I was shocked but then lo and behold an email from Caroline the producer of the Country House Rescue programme. In need of a new presenter, and I was on the short list of 6 or 7 people ! wow. I spent 2 hours filming with them in Hammersmith yesterday, I went from good to very good and back to fluffing my lines, needing a cup of tea ( but only had a bottle of warm water) and then getting a bit better again. " Could have done better" the report will say but just to have been asked was great, its like someone who has ridden an old nag 3 times in an indoor riding school then attempting a 3 day event, and almost achieving it. Well thats me, what a learning curve !
Well back to real life, changing beds for my bed and breakfast business ( variety the spice of life) and what did I find in this bed but a bottle of tingly spray ! what, how and when I dont want to know

What a weej