Every now and then it’s good to allow a
little luxury into your life and that’s what we did yesterday. We had tea at
Harrods in London's Knightsbridge. It was a gift from Daughter and it was great that she is now well
enough to come with us.
Everything about Harrods oozes luxury. It is
larger than life opulence, from the doormen greeting you on arrival, to the
décor in the toilets; from the magnificent escalators and bronzed lifts, to the
life-size, cuddly teddy bears. I want that brown bear and I want him now! He was so tall I couldn't even reach his head to cuddle him.
Our afternoon tea session began with a
discussion on teas. A member of staff talked us through the tea selection and asked
us each in turn which tea we would prefer. The tea arrived in silver pots and
was served to us by a young and extremely attentive waiter. He poured our tea into china cups with great
care and kept reappearing to top us up as we sipped.
The food was artistically perfect. We had tiny crust-free
sandwiches, scones served with a selection of preserves, including a rose petal
jam, and clotted cream. This was followed by a trifle served in a dainty little
pot and a variety of teeny cakes.
I know that a lot of the items in Harrods
are overpriced and that people are paying for the name. I know that some people
think that shops like Harrods merely perpetuate the class divide and there are
times when I’ve felt the same myself but not yesterday. Yesterday Harrods provided us
with an extremely enjoyable afternoon. A big thank you to Daughter for the treat. It was brilliant.
I'm partial to an afternoon tea, and I try to sample as many as possible from different places. I've always had to pour my own tea before though! The photos look wonderful. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI rather suspect that it tasted all the finer for being poured out for us, Anne!
DeleteThe last time that I went to Harrods was during my 60th birthday weekend in London with a female friend. On the day I said let us do one thing you want and one thing I want. I chose the London Eye and she chose Harrods. She did not like The London Eye and I did not approve of Harrods- due to the class divide mentioned by you Rosalind. By the way, did the waiter serving the tea do milk in first or second? Personally I prefer milk second. Petra.
ReplyDeleteI've never been on the London Eye, Petra. That would be fun. Interesting that you should ask about mif. The waiter put milk in first with the initial pour but each time he topped us up he added milk after tea. There must be a reason but I don't know what it is.
DeleteI love going out to tea, a few years ago I went to Betty's in Harrogate, that was a lovely experience. I've not been for tea in London yet, and Harrods looks lovely. I am so glad you were able to spend some quality time with your family. Worth more than anything...
ReplyDeleteTime with family is precious, isn't it.
DeleteAn awesome bear. Wonderful photographs, all of them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann. I didn't say that the bear cost almost £2,000!
DeleteTreats are simply the best. When my lovely old aunt was 80 I took her to tea the Dorchester - she was born in the East End of London and has always struggled. It was just one of the best days ever!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory, Jo.
DeleteMmmm. Harrods was a much loved British owned insitution that I and others respected. Sadly I could not go in there now. It was bought by an Egyptian in a crooked financial deal and then sold for a billion pound profit in a secret overnight deal. It is now owned by a middle eastern state that funds terrorism. Sorry to make to statement Rosalind but I felt it needed to be said.
ReplyDeleteLlooks yummy and it you deserve to treat yourself. Personally I think Betty's cafe is nothing special but if in Morecambe try the renovated art decor Midland Hotel. I enjoy being invited to a home made afternoon tea; showing my age as it used to be a pint in the pub!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful treat and so glad your daughter is back in good health. You two deserved some posh treatment. Very neat
ReplyDeleteI am truly hoping that some of the ladies on the tour would like to have tea one afternoon in September. Mr BC wouldn't be interested.
ReplyDeleteI love high teas!
ReplyDeleteMust have been wonderful and a great memory!
How lovely Ros! So glad you're daughter is feeling better. We all deserve a bit of luxury and those cakes look scrummy.
ReplyDeleteGlad your daughter is doing better. Me and the Sweetman go to Harrods every time we visit London. I stock up on their English Tea. There is nothing like it in America. ItS time to visit again.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosalind,
ReplyDeleteTea at Harrod's looks fantastic!!! Thank you so much for sharing.