Procrastina ...

Mid January and I've a small knot forming in my stomach already. We don't reopen til April 1st but changes are afoot. I've been buying "vintage" tea plates to supplement our stocks. They're "vintage" - not second-hand, or used, or just old. Vintage makes them that teensy weensy bit more expensive. I've also been buying cake stands in preparation for the Royal Wedding and the wedding we're catering in June. I need at least 10. I now have 6.
Wills and Kate have decided they're to be wed at 11am making plenty of time for afternoon tea, I hope. Very civilised. My issue will be how to store said cake stands as I can't be doing with screwing and unscrewing the bits every time we want to use them, and some of them are quite tall.
I've found someone who's going to make me a website, and I'm filling in forms to be included in a Worcestershire tourism site and leaflet. These things are all new to me and make me not a little apprehensive. That's why I've put it off for months.
Writing this is putting off all sorts of other things.

Royal Tea

Some people really are organised. This morning I was contemplating whether I can be bothered to make any more mince pies when a Mrs Bowering called. Could I accommodate 50 people from Weston-Super-Mare for coffee and cake on 20th July 2011. Underneath a pile of yet-to-be-written Christmas cards I found next year's diary which now has 3 coach trips and a wedding booked in for next Summer.
I'm mulling over the Royal Wedding. I really need William and Kate to let me know what time their nuptuals are taking place. If they tie the royal knot in the morning I could throw a tea party in the afternoon. But if they were to choose, say, 2.30pm to exchange their vows I reckon folks will put up their own bunting and won't move from their homes. Would there be any point in opening at all?
My other question is how I approach my very clever sister-in-law to make me some Union Flag bunting? Maybe she'll stumble across this and will feel compelled to offer....?

In tents

I thought, wrongly, that I had pretty much done one of everything to do with the tea rooms. But late last week I had a call from a woman asking if they could put up a marquee in the garden next June, and could we serve a proper afternoon tea for 120 wedding guests.
Gulp.
I'm meeting the bride and groom on Friday.
She's a student, and he's a new graduate who has a real job.
As for how I'm passing all my days away from the tearooms? I know it was a bit of a joke. I know I mentioned the ironing A LOT. But I've just had 3 days at home with a sick son and I've finally reached the bottom of the two baskets. Two problems have arisen. One: I had to stop washing in order to finish ironing (otherwise it's a truly vicious circle). Two: by the time I reached the bottom I was ironing clothes my children have outgrown.

Font of all knowledge

Several things emerged during my first season. The signage needs addressing. The tea rooms is a long way down a bumpy track and several people commented that they were afraid they were going the wrong way. I also need to sort out a way of telling people that Witley Court, the Baroque Church and the tea rooms are all in the same place. I've lost count of the numbers of folk who ask the best way to get to the Court. I point them in the direction (walk 100m, turn right, another 100m, oh. there it is) and they say: "What? We're already here? We thought we'd have to drive to it." I'm thinking of trying to produce a leaflet. I have no knowledge of such things but George is reading a book about fonts (Just My Type) so that qualifies him to help.

Ouch

On Tuesday I was in London for a memorial service. In attendance were dozens of BBC friends and colleagues, many of whom I hadn't seen for years and who wanted to know about cake and the first season and whether I missed radio. Among them Louise who left at about the same time as I did and who is now doing up houses for a living. One of the reporters based outside London sat next to me. He didn't even know I wasn't working there anymore. We chatted and I mentioned Louise and her departure from radio. "Oh I know," he said, "now that's a REAL loss".
I used to like him.

Xtraordinary

I've been at home a lot more this week (ironing) and am surprised by how many times the 'phone rings.
It's rarely a friend.
Yesterday a lady called Shilpa rang to ask if I'd take part in a survey about the Halifax. I couldn't think of a reason not to, so for the next 11 minutes I responded to statements with the words "strongly agree", "slightly agree", "slightly disagree" or "strongly disagree". I can't imagine what possible benefit my comments will be to the bank.
Most of the statements were mundane. Then this one:
"In the past 3 months I have recommended a Halifax card machine to someone."
I've never recommended any card machine to anyone. And I've never had a card machine recommended to me. Are some better than others then?
Shilpa laughed (thankfully).
But she still needed a response.

Crumbs of Comfort

It's over. Despite looking forward to it I felt very sad yesterday as we headed towards the witching hour and the final door closing.
The weather was great for October so we were pleasantly busy for the last weekend. The trick was to end the season without lots of stock, while still having enough so that it didn't look like a closing down sale.
We sold out of tea cakes. And scones.
We have half a granary and half a white loaf left.
We've a four pinter of milk (bought yesterday afternoon in a panic that we'd run out too early) but that'll be fine for the gathering tomorrow. Freda, Mary, Nancie and Kate and I will be putting the tea rooms into hibernation. Bringing in the tables from outside, defrosting the freezers and fridges. That sort of thing. Then I'll start on the leftover cake.
On Friday we're going on a works outing - a day trip to Oxford with high tea for all. We'll see how they do it in Oxon and chat on the train about how much better our scones are.


As for this blog. I reckon I might update during the closed season on pertinent purchases or decisions. I have several issues to address before April 1st 2011 which will keep me busy. And all that leftover cake to get through.