Sue's notes to self

Well, who wouldn’t? It’s PIMMS O’clock on a dreary afternoon, so what better time for a nice afternoon tea served with a fruity concoction and a suitable designer tea (as in, not PG) to follow. Trouble is, there are, if this is even deemed possible, too many cakes.

Like many people, especially those of a certain age, we have discovered the ‘afternoon tea’, a quintessentially English custom which has made a big comeback in recent years. When on holiday, and dinner is a long way off, what better way to wile away an hour or so than comfortable surroundings and a little light refreshment? Except, it rarely is ‘light’.

In most instances there are very few sandwiches, which is not great when you have a preference for savoury rather than a sweet tooth. AND they cut the crusts off of the bread, so they amount to barely a round but with several (thinly layered) fillings. They don’t even ask what fillings you want, though I doubt if they supply marmite in such circumstances, far too ‘common’. If you really lucky there will be a further savoury, yay! But cake, always loads!

Which is okay if you like cakes a lot. I don’t mind cake, or sweet things, but there is such a thing as ‘too much of a good thing’. (That’s very thingy!) of course, if you are cheeky, or well prepared, you can sneak some away for later. You can even ask for a suitable receptacle. For some of us though – those whose eyes are bigger than their bellies – accepting the challenge of getting through it all is just part of the fun.

When on our last holiday we did indeed succumb to the allure of an afternoon tea in the lounge, it was, as expected, beautifully presented and full of scrumptious cakes – and not enough sandwiches. We got to thinking during that holiday. Whatever happened to the dessert trolley? You know, the one with loads of choices from which you picked the one you liked best. Well, why not do the same for the afternoon tea? Then I would choose a fruit scone with jam etc, a slice of carrot cake with extra thick frosting and one other delight – not two or three mind you – something chocolatey I suspect. Just a thought….

Of course one of the joys of the afternoon tea business is that you can buy them as gifts for others. This is really helpful when you don’t know what else to get, because who doesn’t like a meal out. (Though it can be a bind if you have to travel a long way to said afternoon tea and then curse the person who gifted it to you for the fuel costs. Best to make a day of it maybe.)

Now we live not so very far from Tiptree and so the several Tea Rooms which are famous for that name. We have even tried a few of them, and jolly good they are too – you can sometimes even choose your sandwich filling for your afternoon tea! How sad that one of them has had to close. I guess there is just too much competition about these days? My goodness, think how many calories have been consumed in the mountain of cake that goes into said afternoon teas.

But the cream of the afternoon teas must surely be found in the big London hotels. I have only tried The Ritz (other hotels are available), where we went for my last notable birthday. Just look at the pile of sandwiches! And they brought more when we ran out. Luxury – and then some. Plus a glass or two of bubbly. Don’t mind if I do!

Needless to say there was still too much cake, especially as we had ordered the special birthday one too. I am ashamed to admit that we brought it home with us to share later, even though it was a very creamy and squishy one. We had eaten too much already! (Perhaps because of those extra sandwiches…….)

Sue, August 2024