There is a special room designed for afternoon tea at the palace. The whole room is made of glass, and with the sunlight coming in that day, the room was so warm in a lovely (and not terribly sweaty) way. Everyone's voice was low and hushed, and the clink of the silverware and pottery chimed like bells from heaven. Once sitting, I looked at the array of the room, with straw chairs and other beautiful furniture and furnishing, and plants, and thought of India.
A detail from our menu:
After a few minutes, the warmth and the sounds and the entire bright atmosphere of the place began to sooth me, and so I settled in my chair and really got comfortable. I felt as if relaxation was granted to me, and I didn't fight it, for I knew it was a rare occurrence. I marveled at our table. I don't remember what tea we ordered, but once it came and steeped, both Dan and I poured gracefully without a hurry. Tea in the cup, slowly, then the whitest richest, cream next, then a gentle drop of a sugar cube. Then, to pick up the silver spoon, and slowly spin it in the cup, watching it all melt and mix together. Sigh. It was... lovely. A tea party! For two.
We waited patiently for the three tiered food we ordered. I don't remember... but it had a special name. Dan doesn't share this opinion with me... but I swear it was the best "meal" I ever had. I love bread, I love butter, I love fresh things and baked things. The butter was whipped, and the bread was so warm and so soft and in perfectly sized proportions, and the cucumber in the sandwiches was so fresh and everything was so succulent and lightly delicious. The tny slices of ham were juicy and watery and sweet. And the jam! Just look!
All this with the warm tea, dripping like... morphine or some magic down our throats into our happy bellies... all this made me giddy. I laughed like I hadn't in quite some time, just about the experience. I felt I was a child again, enjoying a tea party with my best friend.
Dan must've felt like the Mad Hatter or some other dandy. I could see it, his jovial face brightening, turning a bit ruddy with the heat. We sat and sat until we felt sedate. Only then did we know it was time to get up and walk back to Hyde Park.
Once at Hyde Park, we sat at our favorite bench and saw the most beautiful white swans.
It was if they were floating past just to greet us, like something out of a fairy-tale. In truth, they were probably wondering if we had food... the next day we came back with bread and were swarmed by starlings, swans, ducks...
Here's another lone swan we spotted, preening:
We also found ducklings protected ferociously by their parents. It was hilarious. Whenever a human tried to look closely at the babies, the mom and dad ducks would shoo them away, charging at them with webbed feet and wings spread. OK! Got it, we all said, and I zoomed in for a picture of the cute ducklings huddling for warmth.
When we were done playing with the birds, I stopped by the outdoor fruit market for some fresh goods. I found apricots! They were so yummy.
Passing through the park again, I stopped for a picture of this cute, fat squirrel with a soft white belly that reminded my of my cat Grigio. I began to miss her.
We went back to the hotel (after stopping by some store and buying really cheap liquor) and watched really funny British television game shows until we fell asleep. It was another good day.
Day VI coming soon.
- F
P.S. I forgot to include this picutre of the Kensington Palace Royal Garden that I took after our Tea:
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