Yesterday my young son and his friend entertained the younger visitors with Halloween puppet shows. They were supposed to do two performances and ended by doing five.
Wendy the Witley Witch puppet is the protagonist in two stories: "I've lost my Cat" and "I'm Not Scared".
It doesn't look like there'll be anything much left over at the end of this season.
Which is good.
Except that I have to buy more supplies tomorrow as we ran out of so much today.
Yesterday a record was broken.
One order came in for twelve hot chocolates. Twelve. One dozen. On one order.
I sent out for more milk shortly afterwards.
Today was even busier than yesterday and we were short on staff. I hate it when people have to wait too long for their orders. It's a dreadful feeling.
I'm off to bed early tonight to recuperate.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
The countdown.
We have entered the final week of the 2013 season.
The trick is to have lots on offer (witches brew soup, spider cakes, puppet shows) whilst at the same time winding down to empty fridges.
The treat is when there's a little bit of cake left over on Sunday....
The trick is to have lots on offer (witches brew soup, spider cakes, puppet shows) whilst at the same time winding down to empty fridges.
The treat is when there's a little bit of cake left over on Sunday....
Friday, 25 October 2013
Groupie
Wednesday's Walkie Talkies gathering was replaced by Thursday's Miles with Smiles, a group which was introduced to me as a selection of "very old ladies". They had robust Black Country accents, the sound of home for me, knew each other from church and arrived on a minibus.
Earlier that day we'd served lunch to the Worcester Friendship Group. They sat in the conservatory. In the summer they'd had Afternoon Tea in the garden and had booked this after enjoying their visit.
In the morning a pretty, young girl brought her dad to talk about her wedding in 2015. She would like a vintage tea party reception. Her son, sitting in a high chair, wiped chocolate on my apron with a broad, gorgeous smile.
She'd better watch out for her wedding dress.
I have a chocolate stain on the back of mine, left there by a then 2 year old named Meg.
Meg has just started her second year at Cardiff University and has been working at the tearooms in the holidays since she was 16.
She still likes chocolate.
Earlier that day we'd served lunch to the Worcester Friendship Group. They sat in the conservatory. In the summer they'd had Afternoon Tea in the garden and had booked this after enjoying their visit.
In the morning a pretty, young girl brought her dad to talk about her wedding in 2015. She would like a vintage tea party reception. Her son, sitting in a high chair, wiped chocolate on my apron with a broad, gorgeous smile.
She'd better watch out for her wedding dress.
I have a chocolate stain on the back of mine, left there by a then 2 year old named Meg.
Meg has just started her second year at Cardiff University and has been working at the tearooms in the holidays since she was 16.
She still likes chocolate.
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Such sweet sorrow.
When I woke yesterday it was dark and pouring with rain. Again.
Older son had left on a school trip at 2am so I was suffering from lack of sleep.
I thought about not opening the tea rooms at all.
Then remembered we had a booking for 8 people from a group called the Walkie Talkies so I didn't have a choice.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain (well, nearly all) and brought enough visitors to keep two of us busy all day.
The Walkie Talkies were panini eaters and tea drinkers and wrote lovely stuff in the visitors' book.
Barry, who comes once a week for a walk and a ham sandwich, shook my hand as he left, told me he is visiting his son in Devon next week (our last of the season) so wouldn't see me until April when we reopen.
I felt remarkably sad when he left.
Older son had left on a school trip at 2am so I was suffering from lack of sleep.
I thought about not opening the tea rooms at all.
Then remembered we had a booking for 8 people from a group called the Walkie Talkies so I didn't have a choice.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain (well, nearly all) and brought enough visitors to keep two of us busy all day.
The Walkie Talkies were panini eaters and tea drinkers and wrote lovely stuff in the visitors' book.
Barry, who comes once a week for a walk and a ham sandwich, shook my hand as he left, told me he is visiting his son in Devon next week (our last of the season) so wouldn't see me until April when we reopen.
I felt remarkably sad when he left.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Leave me where I am
One of those days today. So slow that I can remember every customer. And every order.
11am Two men. Two teas, one millionaire's shortbread and one almond slice.
12noon Two police officers. One tea, one black coffee, one kitkat.
We decorate the tea rooms for Halloween.
1230 One lady arrives expecting to find two friends she's arranged to meet.
1245 Second friend arrives
1300 The two decide that the third isn't coming. Order two pumpkin soup and two teas.
1345 two ladies order two cafe lattes.
1400 a couple orders two teas and sit in the conservatory.
1415 two men ask if they can put up a poster advertising enormous pumpkins: 50-180lbs. They order two teas.
Er.
That's it.
I can't remember ever having such a quiet day....
11am Two men. Two teas, one millionaire's shortbread and one almond slice.
12noon Two police officers. One tea, one black coffee, one kitkat.
We decorate the tea rooms for Halloween.
1230 One lady arrives expecting to find two friends she's arranged to meet.
1245 Second friend arrives
1300 The two decide that the third isn't coming. Order two pumpkin soup and two teas.
1345 two ladies order two cafe lattes.
1400 a couple orders two teas and sit in the conservatory.
1415 two men ask if they can put up a poster advertising enormous pumpkins: 50-180lbs. They order two teas.
Er.
That's it.
I can't remember ever having such a quiet day....
Monday, 21 October 2013
Toil & trouble
Rain this morning.
Rain rain rain.
I'm off to buy pumpkins to spend the (obviously quiet) day making Witches Brew soup.
Apart from the pumpkin it contains cinnamon, cumin, onions, garlic and bay leaves.
After that I'll start on the ark.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Countdown
Two weeks to go.
We have rather a lot of supplies to get through so I'm really hoping for a dry, busy half term.
Apparently there are different half terms for different shires again this year so you never know the kids may be in this week...
We have had two days of stunning storms. It's been dry for the most part but then absolutely torrential rain in the afternoon.
Lots of mud walked in by people with dripping hair who need hot chocolate.
Two weeks to go.
Did I mention that?
We have rather a lot of supplies to get through so I'm really hoping for a dry, busy half term.
Apparently there are different half terms for different shires again this year so you never know the kids may be in this week...
We have had two days of stunning storms. It's been dry for the most part but then absolutely torrential rain in the afternoon.
Lots of mud walked in by people with dripping hair who need hot chocolate.
Two weeks to go.
Did I mention that?
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