Today Charlotte told me that while she was serving last week a man pointed to this sign and just said, “Jeremy Corbyn”.
Monday, 10 June 2019
Go Away
Rain is making working life tricky.
Yesterday, as we were starting to clear up after a morning party (45 people, sandwiches, tea, scones, cake) celebrating Christine’s Licensing Service in the church, the heavens opened.
It took lots of people by surprise, including us. The forecast had predicted rain in the late afternoon not at midday.
This meant that we were completely full in minutes.
A group of cyclists huddled round a small table, two Spanish families squeezed around a table for four.
There were people everywhere.
Until the rain stopped.
The sun emerged and the few who risked the weather in the afternoon sat outside.
Then at 4pm there was another storm. A proper deluge.
The conservatory flooded (fortunately no one was in there) and we were loaning our umbrellas to those who couldn’t wait for the rain to pass.
This week the forecast is dodgy. Lots of rain. All week.
How am I going to dry all the aprons and tea towels?
Yesterday, as we were starting to clear up after a morning party (45 people, sandwiches, tea, scones, cake) celebrating Christine’s Licensing Service in the church, the heavens opened.
It took lots of people by surprise, including us. The forecast had predicted rain in the late afternoon not at midday.
This meant that we were completely full in minutes.
A group of cyclists huddled round a small table, two Spanish families squeezed around a table for four.
There were people everywhere.
Until the rain stopped.
The sun emerged and the few who risked the weather in the afternoon sat outside.
Then at 4pm there was another storm. A proper deluge.
The conservatory flooded (fortunately no one was in there) and we were loaning our umbrellas to those who couldn’t wait for the rain to pass.
This week the forecast is dodgy. Lots of rain. All week.
How am I going to dry all the aprons and tea towels?
Saturday, 8 June 2019
I won’t be asking THAT again
Today we had a surprise 70th birthday lunch.
It’s been in the diary for ages, arranged by two sons for their lovely mum. They’d told her she was coming for lunch but not that her two sisters and some of her friends were going to be there. They’d brought balloons and a banner and glasses for a toast of something fizzy and a beautifully decorated birthday cake.
They set up a camera to capture the look on her face when she walked in.
As they all left, a couple of hours later, I congratulated her. I told her it was wonderful that she has raised sons who treat their mum with so much thoughtfulness.
I almost got through the whole day without a gaff.
Almost.
Two ladies (in their 60s?) came in late this afternoon. They were very alike.
“Sisters?” I asked, “or twins?”
“Sisters,” one of them replied quickly, “there’s a big age gap”.
It’s been in the diary for ages, arranged by two sons for their lovely mum. They’d told her she was coming for lunch but not that her two sisters and some of her friends were going to be there. They’d brought balloons and a banner and glasses for a toast of something fizzy and a beautifully decorated birthday cake.
They set up a camera to capture the look on her face when she walked in.
As they all left, a couple of hours later, I congratulated her. I told her it was wonderful that she has raised sons who treat their mum with so much thoughtfulness.
I almost got through the whole day without a gaff.
Almost.
Two ladies (in their 60s?) came in late this afternoon. They were very alike.
“Sisters?” I asked, “or twins?”
“Sisters,” one of them replied quickly, “there’s a big age gap”.
Thursday, 6 June 2019
Added info
My lovely email correspondent from yesterday (see Wednesday’s post) wrote again today just to let me know that, after all that, the Tearooms in Lincoln doesn’t open on Sundays...
Grains of truth
Unexpected coach day.
Well, ok, unexpected minibus day.
We think it was a church outing.
I took a sandwich and a pot of tea to a smiley man in a dog collar.
Did he take sugar?
He did.
I asked if that was his only vice.
He paused.
And then said, “no”.
Unfortunately we were too busy for me to pursue the interrogation.
Well, ok, unexpected minibus day.
We think it was a church outing.
I took a sandwich and a pot of tea to a smiley man in a dog collar.
Did he take sugar?
He did.
I asked if that was his only vice.
He paused.
And then said, “no”.
Unfortunately we were too busy for me to pursue the interrogation.
Wednesday, 5 June 2019
Geographically challenged.
I received an email this morning from a lady asking if are open on Sunday and did we take bookings as she wanted to bring her mum to celebrate her 80th birthday. She told me she lives in Nottingham but would be visiting this coming weekend.
I replied suggesting high tea for two which we could arrange and set up in advance so that she wouldn’t have to queue to order. All would be ready on arrival.
She loved the idea and emailed to ask if we could do anything vegan.
Yes, I replied (excited to have the chance to relive the strawberry and peanut butter success).
Another email asking if I’d like her to transfer the money in advance.
No need, I replied.
Then, at 1445 a final email:
I replied suggesting high tea for two which we could arrange and set up in advance so that she wouldn’t have to queue to order. All would be ready on arrival.
She loved the idea and emailed to ask if we could do anything vegan.
Yes, I replied (excited to have the chance to relive the strawberry and peanut butter success).
Another email asking if I’d like her to transfer the money in advance.
No need, I replied.
Then, at 1445 a final email:
Gill,
I am so sorry, I’m not quite sure how to say this but ive emailed the wrong Garden Tea rooms I thought you were in Lincoln, I am so sorry
Feeling very silly
B
I so wish she’d come anyway. I really want to meet her.
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
aide-memoir
June already and not enough posts.
The problem is that although many little things happen which would make a good story I have a tendency to forget them once I’m back home.
I need a notepad to jot down things as they happen.
We had a Christening party on Sunday for forty guests, our second for the same family in which are a number of vegetarians and two vegans. They had ordered sandwiches, mini tartlets, honey-mustard sausages, cakes and scones and lots of tea.
We always have vegan cakes so that wasn’t difficult but I wanted the vegan sandwich fillings to be interesting so I went on a google hunt and came up with peanut butter and fresh strawberry. On the morning itself my resolve failed but my team insisted we make them anyway, saying that even if they didn’t taste good they’d look amazing among the other, more usual offerings of houmous, cucumber etc.
After half an hour I went into the party and all the vegan sandwiches had gone. I approached the mum, Holly, and asked if she’d like us to make another round? She was surprised, “we actually only have one vegan here” she said and went over to talk to an older man to ask if he’d like more?
What he asked for was more of the peanut butter and strawberry.
Don’t think it’ll make the every day menu yet but the Witley strawberry season has just started so watch this space.
The problem is that although many little things happen which would make a good story I have a tendency to forget them once I’m back home.
I need a notepad to jot down things as they happen.
We had a Christening party on Sunday for forty guests, our second for the same family in which are a number of vegetarians and two vegans. They had ordered sandwiches, mini tartlets, honey-mustard sausages, cakes and scones and lots of tea.
We always have vegan cakes so that wasn’t difficult but I wanted the vegan sandwich fillings to be interesting so I went on a google hunt and came up with peanut butter and fresh strawberry. On the morning itself my resolve failed but my team insisted we make them anyway, saying that even if they didn’t taste good they’d look amazing among the other, more usual offerings of houmous, cucumber etc.
After half an hour I went into the party and all the vegan sandwiches had gone. I approached the mum, Holly, and asked if she’d like us to make another round? She was surprised, “we actually only have one vegan here” she said and went over to talk to an older man to ask if he’d like more?
What he asked for was more of the peanut butter and strawberry.
Don’t think it’ll make the every day menu yet but the Witley strawberry season has just started so watch this space.
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