Old. But not that old.

 If you visit the tearooms I will usually ask if you have seen the Church. If you haven’t then I will suggest that you do, “it’s the only one of its kind in the country”, I’ll cajole, “don’t leave without sticking you head in” I’ll urge, knowing that once your head is in you probably won’t be able to resist looking up at the painted ceiling or gazing at all the different enamelled, story-telling windows. 

If you have already been in I’ll ask if you know that the current interior was added long after it was first built? That the spectacular windows and oil-on-canvas painted ceiling was brought from a different chapel in the middle of the 18th Century.

I was having this very conversation with a couple yesterday. I added that before the new interior was brought up from The Duke of Chandos’ chapel in Edgware our church had actually been quite plain. 

“Do you remember it when it was like that?” she asked me.

I’m now looking into buying anti-wrinkle cream. 

Glorious gloriosa

This plant is new to our conservatory. It demands attention because it’s spectacularly beautiful. It’s called Gloriosa, aka Flame Lily. I am forcing anyone who’s vaguely interested to follow me inside to see it. 

 

What a napkin is really for.

 I hope I never get tired of reading lovely anonymous notes from visitors. 

Thank you to whoever left us this.

Tectonic

We clear a lot of tables in the course of a day. Most are unremarkable. A few would raise eyebrows. Last week someone left a used nappy (in a bag) and a blob of chewing gum ON THE TABLE when there are bins and loos not far away.

Sometimes we find a gem. Like today. 

Unconditional

 For years now we have had lovely hand wash and lotion in the ladies’ loos. I know it’s awful not to have it in the gents but I’m not made of money and until there’s a protest with demanding placards I shall not yield.

Anyway, they may not want it when they’ve heard this.

One lady took a shine to the stuff and, finding it on the gift display, she brought it to the counter to pay. 

What she wanted to know, she said, was whether the stuff in the gift area is the same as the stuff in the loos? Yes, I told her categorically that it is. Then why, she wondered was the stuff in the loos called conditioner, while the stuff on sale was called hand and body lotion.

Ah.

I said.

And checked. 

It seems that for the past week we ladies have all been slathering our hands with hair conditioner. It smells the same. Indeed the lady buying it preferred the feel of the conditioner to the lotion. 

Order has now been restored but I am embarrassed.

Open

 First post in months. We are in new territory.

We opened 1st April with a larger menu but without masks.

It all felt a bit odd but we’re getting used to seeing each other’s faces again and I’m back to starting the day in lipstick. Oh, and we have new aprons too. 

It’s Easter soon so we’re offering hot cross buns and Simnel cake again.

Staffing has been made tricky by covid cases. A few got it just before we opened. At least they’re back on the rota now, filling the gaps left by other positives. I fear this may be the way this season goes. I’m glad we’re not an airline…