Of Teas and Tearooms

I didn't get many tea photos but these few are proof of the total delight that tea can bring, even to a coffee drinker like Jim! We had proper Afternoon Tea at the lovely British Museum restaurant on Easter afternoon -- two of the photos are from there. And that was just the beginning as we generally had some lovely tea somewhere every afternoon -- sometimes along the seashore in Cornwall, sometimes in the meadowlands, ...

One day in London seemed to be my Tea Day. Jim was in meetings so I focused on the things he wouldn't feel cheated to miss. In actuality, he was relieved to not share in this day but he smiled, obligingly, at my tales!

It began with tea in our hotel room, as was my custom! Then I took a taxi to Harrods, did a bit of strolling/viewing, had Earl Grey tea in one of the restaurants in Harrods, and bought a charming English bone china tea cup and little creamer. Then I moved on to Harvey Nichols and bought some of their own tea -- Earl Grey, of course (and coffee for Jim). My next stop was in a little Crabtree and Evelyn shop where I bought some lemon cookies in honour of the many teas with C. and E.'s lemon cookies that Jeri and I had after school in her elementary school years. (Yes, Jerz, I'll bring the full tin to Thailand on my next visit. Have the tea ready! ;-)) I then bought some Earl Grey tea from a little Whittard of Chelsea shop. Finally, I strolled along the lovely streets (Google walking-map in hand) to Claridge's for my 3 p.m. Afternoon Tea reservation. The price was high but it included some amazing tea sandwiches, scones and clotted cream, pastries to die for (or maybe I should say "from"!), Earl Grey tea, all accompanied by fabulous violin and piano. The place was packed! I sat very near a table of perfumiers or whatever the term is for high-fashion perfume designers. They were entertaining fashion writers as they were unveiling the new perfume that will be launched in August.

I attempted to walk off some of the calories with a brisk walk back to our hotel. I tried to look "normal" but I'm sure there was a suspicious grin on my face as I walked along, causing the locals to assume I was up to something! How do you keep from grinning after such a "telightful" day!