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Nowhere is the English genius of domesticity more notably evident than in the festival of afternoon tea. The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose.
George Gissing |
Buxted Park Hotel - Friday, 8th February 2013
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Tea-takers
Sarah Ryan
Paul Ryan
Olivia Ryan
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Buxted Park, our local country house hotel seemed a suitably traditional setting to begin the Afternoon Tea odyssey upon which I am embarking. The house was built in 1722 by Sir Thomas Medley. This fine aristocrat made his money through introducing Port wine to England (or so the Hotel's own potted history would have us believe) so it seems doubly auspicious. Even approaching in the dark, the eagle topped gates and long drive through the parkland and the shadowy silhouette of 13th Century church, made a deeply pleasing impression. We had the lounge to ourselves at the unusually late tea hour, with the lovely smell of wood smoke from the fire, and a wide range of lounging opportunities provided by the armchairs and sofas. However, it should also be noted that an irritant in the form of piped Andrew Lloyd Webber tunes kept it from being too cloyingly delightful - such a relief.
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It tasted lovely anyway and was a combination of fruit, cream and meringue, which was always likely to be winning combination whatever anyone choses to call it.
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The French duty manager, Marc, came over to be charming and made friends with Olivia, and succeeded in his aim of fuelling her with an enormous desire to go and stay at the hotel. We swapped stories about French and Italian driving and he talked about his passion for hospitality in the Ashdown Forest, before supplying us with extra biscuits in a doggy bag (sac de chien?). All most pleasing.
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First Tea - First Year
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Privileged to be a co-tea-er at the first.
ReplyDeleteIn tribute to the founder of the great house, I have just poured a port wine for myself and the birthday lady. Hurrah.