So a date is set, and a Sunday afternoon in late September set aside for the genteel art form of afternoon tea....this time a decidedly British 1930's theme has been settled upon, but with a modern twist-the concession to 21st century living being an I-tunes playlist -created with the soundtrack from Pennies from Heaven and a liberal sprinkling of Al Bowlly tunes to create the perfect mood....
A 1930's art deco teaset, reminiscent of Clarice Cliff with its green flowers and geometric patterns, bought for a song at a local car boot sale- will make it's first appearance alongside an old white china tea pot steeped with first flush darjeeling tea leaves and hot but not boiling water...that would scorch the delicate leaves and tips!
Tiny sandwiches of crab, egg and baby watercress shoots and roast beef and mustard will be bereft of crusts and will be displayed on the matching sandwich platter.... to be followed by tiny scones, as light as air and served with perhaps 2 or 3 of mum's home made conserves.
No doubt two tiny pugs will be at our feet as we slice into the tea loaf- plump fruits soaked in earl grey tea to swell before being baked into a rich loaf- perfect for thin slices to accompany the fragrant tea.
Such a pleasant and thoroughly British past-time and just right for the time of year when we seem to be entering the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness as Keats so musically described it...
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