Go on

Walter was christened yesterday and we hosted the post service party - sandwiches, scones, lemon drizzle.
Thank goodness because otherwise the rain gave us very little to do.

A family who visit us once a month or so came for lunch.
Dad was wearing such a stunning coat (wool, plain back, pristine condition - looked brand new) that I commented. He opened up the coat to reveal a scarlet lining. Not the sort of thing a farmer from these parts might be expected to wear.
He smiled and said the coat had a story.
It had belonged to Harry Secombe.

Harry Secombe's coat. In MY tea rooms.
Made my day.

Gingerly

This drought we're in is horribly wet. So, in between serving the six customers the day brought, I made a ginger cake with black treacle, golden syrup and muscovado sugar. Not my personal favourite but I have been persuaded of the merits of ginger so I might try a stickier version. Trying out new cakes is the way I'm going to get through the rainy season. If the rain doesn't stop soon I'm going to need elastic waistbands.

Drizzly when wet

So we knew it would be quiet. The forecasters had made the UK look like a glass filling up with water. It rained. Boy did it rain. So I made lots of Lemon Drizzle cake, which made me very happy. Eleven people braved the weather. Eleven whole people. Eleven people more than I thought we'd see. The first two were from Oklahoma: "what are we gonna do? stay in the hotel? We're only here for two weeks." They told me about the addictive qualities of caffeine. There were two en route from London home to Liverpool. He asked if we had anything low carb. Erm no. And then had a scone with jam and cream. Two more en route from Herefordshire home to London. They had a full lunch. Thank goodness. Two men came in twice (I only counted them once). Tea and cake twice in a day. My kind of men.

What the Dickens?

This has been a weekend of firsts.
I had to explain to a family what a quiche is. Try it. It's tricky.  
An old gentleman asked if his teeth would be able to cope with our special panini.
Fortunately for us all they were.
We gave away 14 copies of A Tale of Two Cities having been chosen as a World Book Night Giver (ten more to give away tomorrow).

And yesterday some "lady" swiped a full bottle of hand wash from the ladies loos.
Must've thought it came free with her tea and scone.

  

Stars

One of those speculative 'phone calls that I love so much came today.

The young sounding girl asked to speak to the manager. Then:

"Do you want to sell your cafe? "

Erm. No thanks.

"Are your sure?"

Yes, I'm sure.

"Oh, ok then. Bye."

The other momentous event was the Environmental Health man turning up unexpectedly for an inspection.

He gave us Five wonderful stars again and bought two pieces of cake to take home.

It rained. A lot.

Which meant we had few visitors.

The upside was that we were able to have lovely conversations with them all.

Ho ho.

I made a joke today.
Not a great one, admittedly, and it was trounced this afternoon.
2 ladies ordered 2 filtered coffees, three men with them had 3 teas.
I delivered the order and asked which of the men would pour the tea.
"Philip" said the men, pointing at their friend.
I arranged the pot with the handle towards him.
"You can 'phillip' the cups" I said, inwardly groaning.

Later two regulars commented on how much they'd enjoyed their soup:
"although we were a little worried when we saw it was 'Nancies's pea and mint' " they said, "We weren't too sure what Nancie might have been drinking."

It's how we get through a long, busy Sunday.

If it weren't a dastardly plan then it could have been.

We put up a sign telling people that the conservatory would be closed from 1.30 for a private party. The High Tea birthday party of a wonderful 85 year old. No one believes he really is 85. He must have a portrait hidden in some attic somewhere.

Anyway, the sign prompted several people to ask for details about booking parties.

If I were cunning I'd put one up every week....