out.of.town

you visited a friend who lives in greater london, well technically final tube station on one of the london underground line.  you went there by train since the underground line is under maintenance on most weekends anyway.  it didn't take long and you are out of the concrete london, in a charming town in a valley.

they live in a period cottage house, you're like viewing the houses on 'escape to the country'. it's really that sort of cottage they are living in.  it's not big since it's no the main cottage property but big enough for two people.  the lovely exposed beams and the fire place.  the house are modernly renovated but the period structure is maintained.

you had a good chat and catch up with Y and at 4pm you went for a afternoon tea in the old city (or rather town). it's really just a street with two rows of shops and a hotel.

 at the cafe, you are served with tea cup, with a presumption that you are here for tea....

 the interior of the cafe (or restaurant), quite nicely decorated with the village charm

and the exposed beams, only the new york broadway jazz music didn't really match the ambiance

 your flute of sparkling wine, the restaurant apparently owns some vineyards in the country and hence this is a home grown sparkling wine...

 your tiers of afternoon tea treat. it looks rustic and not really traditional as cucumber, egg and salmon sandwiches are not on the bottom tray.  but what you had is better.  some home baked olives, sesame bread serve with generous portion of pate and sweet corn hummus.

the cakes on the middle tray, lemon sponge with a kick of lemon.  the winner for you is the moist pumpkin spice cake with pistachio nuts.  you like the buttery chocolate fudge but it's just too chocolaty for you after yesterday treat at the dessert bar.  hence you share it with the couple.

 you adjourned to the crown hotel just opposite the street.  this is apparently where the movie "four weddings and a funeral" was filmed.  the location is used for the first wedding, Y described how the  bride walked down the stair case and people congregated on the other room (not shown)...

 it's quite cold out there, you feel warm looking at the mink thrown on the chair

and a glass of merlot certainly warm you up.  it's a pity that you couldn't stay longer as tomorrow is a big day, in fact the next 4 days will be extremely busy for you. you are hosting the workshop for the client on the first 3 days and you have to conduct a training on the 4th day.  just seem to be the  most busy periods... but it will soon be over.