This
is something that crossed my mind months ago and I wrote a post but cannot find
it anywhere and it doesn’t appear to have been published. So here we go, my granny used to say, “everything has its
place” and I think this applies in this case.
How
many of you whether working in the garden, shed, greenhouse or garage, have
always replied “ooh yes please” if being asked if you want a cup of tea. How
many times does the said cup of tea get delivered and gratefully accepted in an
earthenware mug? Well of course it does because you are working and really you
just wanted a drink but there is just something comforting about a cup of tea.
Earthenware mugs are robust items and sometimes actually bounce off hard objects
in any of the four places mentioned. Typically the type of mug we are talking
about may be a souvenir, something that was given but certainly not one from a
set of six or eight.
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| An earthenware mug (authors collection) |
However,
there is nothing nicer than sitting down to afternoon tea or even just a cake with
a cup of tea in a bone china cup and saucer, served from a bone china teapot.
This is the whole point, it is about being able to relax because you shouldn’t
rush a cup of tea. Also there is something inherently wrong about working in the
garden or the garage workshop and having a cup of tea in a bone china cup. Partly
because it is likely to fall over or worse, break and then the china tea set
becomes a mixture of odd cups and saucers, which appears to be the fashion these
days but I digress.
The
thing is that ever since afternoon tea was introduced by Anna, 7th
Duchess of Bedford in about 1840, people have always sat and had afternoon tea
as a mid point between lunch and dinner. It is said the Duchess has dinner at
8PM and this made it a very long time between meals. Fashions change and some
people used to laugh and snigger about afternoon tea and then put on the
affected voice “oh I say afternoon tea, how very quaint”. When they meant how
very old fashioned. Strange really that afternoon tea is now regarded as very “vintage”,
to book afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, jam and a
selection of small cakes. It is not just in London at Harrods or Claridges, The
Ritz or The Savoy either. Many provincial cafes and restaurants offer equally
good afternoon tea packages. The better ones do offer bone china cups, saucers,
side plates, together with cake forks
and linen napkins to enable you to relive the grandeur of yesteryear. At
the end of the day, it is not about being posh or just wanting something to
eat. it is about being able to relax in nice surroundings with friends or loved
ones and to take time to enjoy a cup of tea made properly with loose leaf tea in
bone china tea ware.
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| Table in preparation for afternoon tea, Royal Albert Old Country Roses (authors collection) |
So
just one thought to leave you with, even if you don’t have all the trimmings
with your cup tea, just remember: “A cup of tea without a biscuit is a missed
opportunity!”
