A family came in recently - daughter in her 20s/30s and her parents.
Dad asked if the fruit cake is moist (tick) then if the apple cake is moist (tick,tick). Then while he was making up his mind his daughter asked about gluten free cake.
We ran through our three options but unfortunately she doesn't like banana, lemon and courgette nor orange, carrot and sultana. She had an ice cream.
Dad then asked if he could SEE the apple cake up close. When we put it on the counter he stuck out his hand to give it a squeeze....
We suggested he shouldn't actually touch it.
"But I might buy it" he said. We repeated that we didn't think he should feel the cake in case he didn't buy it.
His wife was evidently a little put out: "No-one's ever said no to us before." she said.
They did eventually choose (carrot please, but not an end piece).
And as they left they called out: "lovely cake, thank you".
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Special delivery
A great weekend. The sun shone and it was crisp and cold - perfect October days - which meant people came out for soup and panini and jacket potatoes and lots of scones (a relief since I thought I'd seriously over-ordered cream).
The first person in today brought us a gift. She reversed her soft-top car down to the door. Out of the back seat she hauled a big (and I really mean big) thing in a pot.
She had 'phoned a few days earlier: could we take her avocado plant which she'd grown from a stone? It was now too big for her house and was bent over and extending horizontally. She wasn't kidding.
We've put it in the conservatory. Next to the arum lilies. In the opposite corner to the fig tree. They'll all Winter together like green buddies. Big green buddies.
At lunchtime we found a floral bag which had been left on a chair in the garden. In it were, among other things, a wallet and a mobile 'phone. In her contacts we found a home number in Bolton some 120 miles away.
Late this afternoon the lady in question returned our call. From Bolton. She hadn't realised she'd lost her bag until she heard our message on her answer phone.
Off to the Post Office in the morning to reunite them.
The first person in today brought us a gift. She reversed her soft-top car down to the door. Out of the back seat she hauled a big (and I really mean big) thing in a pot.
She had 'phoned a few days earlier: could we take her avocado plant which she'd grown from a stone? It was now too big for her house and was bent over and extending horizontally. She wasn't kidding.
We've put it in the conservatory. Next to the arum lilies. In the opposite corner to the fig tree. They'll all Winter together like green buddies. Big green buddies.
At lunchtime we found a floral bag which had been left on a chair in the garden. In it were, among other things, a wallet and a mobile 'phone. In her contacts we found a home number in Bolton some 120 miles away.
Late this afternoon the lady in question returned our call. From Bolton. She hadn't realised she'd lost her bag until she heard our message on her answer phone.
Off to the Post Office in the morning to reunite them.
Friday, 5 October 2012
Essential reading
I seriously doubt that I shall ever have a week like this one again.
Wednesday night on the telly holding up a urine sample.
Today the publication of Essentials magazine's November issue in which, on page 39, I tell the story of the woman who did a wee in the garden. There's a lot more in the Essentials article than just the pee tale. Honest. Including photos of the tearoom.
Had publication date been later I might have squeezed in the story of the knicker discovery (8th Sept- Bocker Glory).
Or am I becoming too niche?
Or am I becoming too niche?
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Bjork day II
We were busy today but this afternoon it was strangely quiet.
We didn't lack customers.
But the people who came whispered to each other. There was no raucous laughter. No hubbub.
No cheerfulness (apart from the two women who raved about the cheese scones).
And no tips.
There was a conspiratorial couple of ladies who said they'd have cake after their lunch "because it was a bad day".
And no one, it seemed, recognised me after my primetime appearance on Channel 4 last night.
We didn't lack customers.
But the people who came whispered to each other. There was no raucous laughter. No hubbub.
No cheerfulness (apart from the two women who raved about the cheese scones).
And no tips.
There was a conspiratorial couple of ladies who said they'd have cake after their lunch "because it was a bad day".
And no one, it seemed, recognised me after my primetime appearance on Channel 4 last night.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Today a man brought his mum all the way from Saffron Walden in Essex because she wanted to see Witley Court. I did my usual bullying to make sure they also saw the Church.
Which they loved.
Of course.
Then they asked what they should do tomorrow? Where else should they visit round here?
I gave them a few ideas but really I should have lots of answers. Leaflets even.
Trouble is I don't go anywhere else...
Something else for the Winter months?
Saw myself on telly this evening. Looking at the footage I can't understand how I managed to get so sunburnt that day.
I was, after all, wearing a cardigan...
Which they loved.
Of course.
Then they asked what they should do tomorrow? Where else should they visit round here?
I gave them a few ideas but really I should have lots of answers. Leaflets even.
Trouble is I don't go anywhere else...
Something else for the Winter months?
Saw myself on telly this evening. Looking at the footage I can't understand how I managed to get so sunburnt that day.
I was, after all, wearing a cardigan...
Urine luck
Channel 4
Tonight
8pm
The Food Hospital
A field, 30 pee samples and me cooking asparagus.
Tonight
8pm
The Food Hospital
A field, 30 pee samples and me cooking asparagus.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Full steam ahead
We are in unchartered waters.
The tea rooms have always closed during October weekdays, only opening at weekends (excepting the half term week).
A few weeks ago I laughingly said that we'd stay open throughout October because the weather couldn't possibly be as poor as April's was.
It's raining.
On a more positive note we have a party booked in for lunch today and I seem to remember from the last time this group came that they're cake lovers....
The tea rooms have always closed during October weekdays, only opening at weekends (excepting the half term week).
A few weeks ago I laughingly said that we'd stay open throughout October because the weather couldn't possibly be as poor as April's was.
It's raining.
On a more positive note we have a party booked in for lunch today and I seem to remember from the last time this group came that they're cake lovers....
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