Living the High Life with the Greatest Friends

Images from Fortnum & Mason

What a weekend!

Our dear friend from Canada and her lovely family have been visiting us this weekend. 

It started on Friday with a gathering in the pub 'at the end of the path' where several of their friends joined us for a meal and a chance for them to see as many as possible. All the boys gathered and had a sleepover together. They have know eachother since they were 4, so I think they all enjoyed catching up... Even if it meant that Our Boy was not fully rested for his 13 day hike along the West Highland Way which he went on on Saturday... But, hey! it was impossible to separate him from the rest of the old 'gang' and I am sure he got some rest on the train up to Glasgow...

On Saturday we went to Saffron Walden to see an art exhibition (will write about that later) before we gathered at our Welsh friend's house with the rest of the Ladies Who Dine and we had a lovely evening together.

The tea and sweets counters at Fortnum & Mason 

Sunday was the real deal - the Ladies Who Dine dressed up and we went to London to meet up with our other Welsh friend! The train was very busy, and we were almost resigned to stand for the hour it takes to London. But to our amazement a (young and cute) man gave up his seat to me and my Danish friend so we could sit together! Chivalry still exists  - he stood the entire way! (Ok, the question begs to be asked: did we look so nice or did he think we were 'in need' of sitting down... - we elect to believe the first option, of course!)

;-)

The five of us first went to Fortnum and Mason for a glass of bubbly in the wine bar in the basement. 

In the words of our Welsh friends - Marvellous! 

We also had a quick browse around the shop before we walked to the main event of the day:

I had booked us a table at Claridge's where I had booked us in for afternoon cream tea with Champagne. I highly recommend this experience if you are in London. Be warned, you MUST book in advance, often months before you want to go. This is the second time we are here, and it was just as big a treat as the first time.

Claridge's is an iconic grand 5 star art deco hotel in Mayfair and includes among other things one of Gordon Ramsay' restaurant. Their famous afternoon tea consists of a selection of 30 different teas, the lovelies little finger sandwiches (you can have as many as you like), two types of scones with clotted cream and Marco Polo jam, and I think there were 4 types of cakes/sweets (again - as much as you like!). The picture does not do the food justice. 

The entire experience, the elegance, the opulence, the service - it is just such a treat!

Claridges has their own china, of course and sell it in their gift shop. (Un)Fortunately for me, it was closed so I had to contend myself with some pictures from their display cases...

At the end of our visit the waiter presented us each with a small box of some of their exquisite tea. It doesn't take much to make us feel special 

;-)

It was with sadness we bid farewell to our friend who went on to visit relatives while we jumped on the train happy, content and feeling very privileged for having such great friends and experiences.

But I promise - next year we will do it all over again!