Inside Out

Today felt like a busy Bank Holiday which means I've already started worrying about the FOUR looming Bank Holidays.
And I've drafted in more help for tomorrow.
The weather is gorgeous - hot, sunny, no breeze. We carried some of the conservatory tables outside this morning because I knew people would rather make the most of this Summer-like sunshine. We still didn't have enough space. Folks were sitting on the grass, perching on benches, waiting for tables to become free.
We had a party in too - four generations of the same family celebrating a two year old's birthday. The guest of honour fell asleep in the car on the way so was left to snooze while the rest of the clan ate sandwiches and quiche.
I've had an enquiry about another wedding. This time it's a request to have a late night barn dance in a marquee next year with outside caterers for a three course meal. Rather different from the simple Afternoon Tea wedding we're doing in June. We'll see.
The Afternoon Tea deal proved very popular again.
As did the paninis.
We trialled a local Apple and Onion Chutney with the ploughmans and had very good feedback (albeit only from two people - is that a representative sample?)
A very lovely but long day.
I need a drink.

Many Happy Returns

We officially open at 11 but by 11 yesterday I'd served three groups of people. It was glorious, and one of those days when folks came and sat for hours. Just lovely. And very busy. The tiered plates of Afternoon Tea specials were going out, coming back, going out again...
We had three birthday visitors. My own 11 year old son, fresh (?) from his last day of term, came for cake. An 87 year old celebrated with a cheese scone, and a Kate dropped in for a swift earl grey en route to Oxford.

Lolly

A day for deliveries - ice cream, gas canisters, plants and Just Scrummy ice lollies which are made by Mary in Worcester using local fruit. She brought our first order of the season and told me that two years ago when she started she made 2,000 lollies.
Last year she made 10,000. And her business, Just Scrummy, consists of....just her.
We had another sunny one. Lots of tea and cold drinks, not so many cappuccinos. We ploughed on with a new bestseller - the Ploughman's Lunch - it even got a mention in the visitors' book.

See you in Court

A really lovely day. Sunshine and lovely people. Even the large group who pushed three outside tables together and started to eat out of their own lunchboxes were pleasant enough when I pointed out that I'd rather they bought my food and not bring their own. Of course they could always use one of the picnic tables in Witley Court...
The feedback on the new cheese continues. I've had only good reports. One smashing couple, who sat under the newly constructed arbour, were split on the Branston question. They were wonderfully cosmopolitan choosing a single espresso to follow their Ploughmans. When I delivered the coffee he commented that I was a true barista. I told them that when my sister-in-law was commissioned (well, if you can commission and not pay someone) to make my tea room aprons she downloaded a pattern for a barista apron which was mis-spelled.
What we're wearing are actually "barrister" aprons.

Nice jugs

I decided during my Winter break (for such I am calling it now) that we should raise our game further by replacing the small, stainless steel milk jugs (unbreakable but poor pourers) with white porcelain. I know, I know, I'm asking for trouble. And chips. And full-on breakages. But let me try, please.
Well I ordered the wrong size (teeny tiny), so it'll be a while longer before they arrive to be put to the test.
Jennifer (Mondays and Tuesdays) has sold as many necklaces as teacakes this week. There's a shelf of super shiny bling in the cabinet as apparently it's prom season.
Well.
I never.
Did.

Stellar

It was joy.
Mr Enviro Health has awarded us FIVE STARS. We are truly in the firmament.
What's more he said we have 5 star toilets, something you don't hear everyday.
He'll be sending us a certificate and says now we have to try to get 5 stars for 3 years running which would mean we would join the super élite.
I celebrated with a piece of coffee and walnut cake.

Rising Panic

It started badly.
The oven wouldn't stay lit. Mary and I tried 6, 7, 8 times and each time after 30 seconds there'd be a *pop* and the gas would blow out. I had visions of hundreds of Mothers, desperate for Afternoon Tea, being told there were NO SCONES and being disappointed in me. Because if there's one thing you want on a warm Mothering Sunday it's a freshly baked scone with cream. And jam.
I took the trays of unbaked scones home along the bumpy track.
I baked them in my tiny oven at too low a temperature.
They struggled to rise.
Anyway, it was an air lock. By the time I got back to the Tea Rooms the oven was laughing merrily at me and the next batch of scones was on its way.
We had a very busy day. By the end of lunchtime we had sold all the soup, all the jacket spuds, all the white bread and (a first for me) all the ham. That's good business, said a regular customer. No, I corrected, that's bad planning.

It's been a weekend full of surprises, trauma and lessons. I haven't even mentioned the flood from the new filter coffee machine.
And the environmental health man is coming tomorrow. Joy.