June in July

Two visitors of photographic note yesterday.
Firstly June, the original owner of the Ugly Yellow Handbag came for a cup of tea and slice of coffee & walnut cake. She brought her latest bag. Which is far from ugly and isn't at all yellow:

Then there was Maria, a harpist, who brought her harp to the birthday gathering she was attending. She drank tea, ate scones and played utterly beautifully.
It was a real privilege to hear her.

She is teaching the harp to the lady who organised the birthday tea. Her name is Kim Wilde (yes, really).
I suggested that if she turns professional with her instrument she could perform under the name Wilde At Harp. 
You're welcome.

Same old.

Apparently this is the point in the season when I say something about giving up; not doing another season after this; finding a different career.
Apparently this usually comes after a larger-than-usual party, mid way through July, with half the season to go.
I said this today.
My husband tells me it's my normal behaviour.
I hate being so predictable.

Wed

Mr and Mrs.
A lovely wedding.
They, their friends and their family certainly do like their cake.

We're hosting another family party tomorrow so an early night is mandatory.
Then I can relax a little.
(Til the party next Saturday)

Stirred

It's begun.
I was sort of awake between 1.45 and 2.45 this morning.
Worrying about teaspoons and whether we have enough of them for Saturday.
The order is now in for an extra 100 (plus three new black aprons).
Am left with the worry that FedEx might not find us in time for the wedding....

The marquee goes up today. The grass was being mown as I left last night.
It's begun.

Nerves

It's been a busy few days. What with the ugly yellow handbag, unexpected coach parties, expected coach parties, walking groups, a bridal shower and loads of kids who've just been let out for the Summer. (Excuse me please, I've just dropped my pound into the ice cream freezer and I can't reach it).
On Saturday it's the 2015 wedding.
Kate and Gareth are tying the knot.
The marquee goes up on Thursday morning.
My nights are already disturbed by lists, orders, recipes, weather, numbers, rotas and space issues.

Getting his worms wrong

A 'phone call:
"I'd like to book a lunch for fifty people, please. We'd also like some tea."
That's fine, I told him.
"But," he added, "I need to tell you that we have two vegetarians and a celeriac."

That's the vegetarians sorted then...

Watch and learn

Remember this? 

I am planning to visit the tearooms and to have a dozen or so of my motorcycling friends meet me there too.  We have been before on several occasions. Although our bikes might be noisy smelly things most of the riders are not and I can assure you there will be no shootouts or anything like that, just a few geriatric bikers looking for a cuppa and bite to eat!

Hope this won't be a problem to you?

Regards

Stuart 

Velocette Owners club

They came today.

About twenty of them.

They were fab.

They can come again.

They arrived half an hour before 45 Chinese teenagers came for lunch, and to have a (very short) lesson in scones. We gave them a lesson because last year's group had bitten into the scones before we'd even put the jam and cream on the tables. 

So this year we demonstrated (Cornwall and Devon ways) and then brought out the cream, jam and scones. 

Crafty.