It's Amazing How Much You Can Eat...

...when you put your mind to it.

Yesterday afternoon a friend and I went for afternoon tea at Cliveden. The 376 acres of grounds are owned and managed by the National Trust while the house (once home to Waldorf and Nancy Astor) is owned and operated separately as a hotel. The weather was glorious and as we arrived a little early, we made the most of the spring sunshine and sat outside.

For tea we were seated on a gloriously squashy sofa in the great hall, next to the huge fireplace, where a fire was burning, even on this lovely warm spring day.

Over the course of the next two hours I managed to eat 3 finger sandwiches -ham & wholegrain mustard; cucumber; and chicken - and devour three cakes - a chocolate and cherry confection, a chocolate mousse layer cake and a fabulous macaroon, plus a scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream (what's an aftenoon tea without a scone afterall?!) all washed down with two pots of coffee. I was amazed at how accommodating my band was, and really pleased to be able to enjoy such a delicious afternoon tea with no trouble at all. Needless to say, I didn't need any dinner yesterday evening!