Enchanted Greetings dear friends,

I thought it might be appropriate to share with you the little piece I wrote for one of my Uniting Kingdoms sections in Faerie Magazine, as it explains why we chose this particular venue for our forthcoming annual EF midsummer Merry Meet…
 
I am privileged to say that my Grandmother inspired one of my favourite pastimes. I was lucky enough to be close to my Nana who was on this earth for a hundred years! Like all quintessentially English women of that age, she was elegant, well mannered and a real lady all her life. I learnt a lot about good old-fashioned customs from this special soul who had been brought up by Victorian parents in a very different world from today. Through watching my Grandnana (named by my boys, her great grandsons) set table in the afternoons at four o’clock, I learnt the art, grace and sheer delight of formal High Tea. Bone China tea sets, tiny teaspoons, antique silver sugar tongs, little cucumber sandwiches (without crusts of course) dainty fancies on a layered cake-plate with paper doilies, and a sherry Trifle to finish! All lovingly served on an embroidered heirloom, a freshly pressed white linen tablecloth with matching napkins, each held for us in our own ring. In the centre of this table of anticipation, there was always a crystal vase of colourful fresh and fragrant flowers from my beloved Gramps’ prolific, well-tended and gorgeous garden. Gramps spent much of his retirement growing Nana’s favourite blooms especially for her to cut and arrange indoors, possibly one of the secrets to their sixty-year marriage *smiles*

Therefore, earlier on this year we went to the nearby City of Bath, a place I adore visiting, and treated ourselves to the famous Afternoon Tea at Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House (near to the glorious Bath Abbey and well-known Roman Baths) on what used to be known as Lilliput Alley. Sally Lunn’s Tea House is Bath’s oldest building dating from 1482, and you can still see the original baking ovens in the museum there among the excavated Roman and Medieval foundations. It is an enchanting narrow house with ancient wooden winding stairs, low-beamed ceilings and pretty decor. The charming waitresses served us the most delicious fare imaginable with a large pot of piping hot tea, together with their traditional Bath Buns (still a secret recipe from 1680, a very popular delicacy in Georgian England) accompanied by strawberry conserve and some scrumptious west country clotted cream, the perfect combination.

Our family were all so impressed that we were inspired to arrange to have our annual UK Enchanted Folk midsummer Merry Meet there on Saturday 20th June 09. We have a special room booked for us at 1.30pm and there are details on the EF Group members.enchantedfolk.com/ukmerrymeet where you can also ask any questions you may have.
All are warmly invited to join us at Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House in the beautiful city of Bath for delicious Cream Teas with Bath Buns (under £6 per head inc. tea!) in a truly enchanted teashop  www.sallylunns.co.uk  Drew and I would be delighted to have your company on this inexpensive informal, lighthearted and fun time out for the family.

(I do realise as I write this that many of our very special friends across the oceans sadly won't be able to make this meet. Please know dear ones that we will be holding you in our hearts as we gather together sincerely wishing you were with us ~ maybe one day... and not forgetting that there are other lovely EF Merry Meet Groups too of course ;o)

There is still something about mid-afternoons that inspires me to pop the kettle on and make a cup of tea, and as I do so I raise my cup in our Grandnana’s honour and to the treasured memory of both my dear Nana and Gramps. Happy memories indeed.
 
Keep living in the magic ~ we look forward to maybe seeing some of you soon…
Be

Okay, back to work on the new summer issue of our EF Faezine, even more of a joy to collate than the Spring edition which I loved! faezine.com is free to subscribe to and I am honoured to present this amazing gift from our special community.