Tea at the Ritz

Sunday 20th February, the start of half term.   It is difficult for me to comprehend that I have been retired for 6 weeks.  I still worry about school and wake up at night wondering how the children and staff are managing.   I tell myself 'no one is indispensible' and that really is the truth.   The girls are coping really well.  My classroom looks minimalist now that all my resources, books, (junk) has gone, and they are doing a wonderful job.   Thank God I really can stop worrying now.
To celebrate my retirement my ex team plus one of our faithful volunteers went to London for the day.  Esther organised the train, the day and especially the tea at the Ritz.
What can I say, from the moment I got out of the car the adventure began.  We (8 of us) jumped on the train at Oxford and within an hour were stepping out in London.
First stop was the shops!  We especially enjoyed walking around Harrods looking at the beautiful things, gasping at the outrageous prices, and being sprayed with so much perfume that for the rest of the day we seemed to be floating on a cloud of fragrance.
The pets department was one of the stops, because I need some very small harnesses for the puppies.  The ones on sale were beautiful, leather, blingy and so expensive.   (I have decided that I will visit my local pet shop and perhaps buy a rabbit or even a ferret harness if I cannot get the doggy ones at the right size).
Next - THE RITZ.  Pulling up in the taxi outside the lovely building was a little disappointing because the hotel was dressed in scaffolding and plastic sheets because they were cleaning the brickwork.
Well, as my mum would say, do not judge a book by it's cover.
Inside, through the old wooden revolving doors we were greeted by uniformed bell boys in pillbox hats, welcoming us.   We were shown to the tea room, the decor of which was glorious.   The dark wooden floors shone, and the rococo style of the walls and ceilings are works of art.  The room smelled of flowers, and bowls of white roses and orchids were placed on tables around the room.   The baby grand piano shone like a mirror reflecting the grand mouldings and fabrics in the room.
Time for tea.  We were shown to our table and waited on by 3 waiters who brought our choice of tea in individual silver pots, and plates of mini sandwiches and cakes.   At this point I was quite hungry and thought this would not fill me however beautifully it was presented.
I could not have been more wrong.   Having poured my Lady Grey, and nibbled at my sandwiches, the waiter immediately refilled the plates.   Next, warm scones with jam and clotted cream.    We looked at each other and smiled.   This was wonderful, something to remember always and we were made to feel totally  pampered.   
As the scones, jam and cream disappeared, more arrived.   Teapots were whisked away and refilled, replaced by smiling waiters.  An hour and a half later, we were full, happy and content.  The waiters indulged us by taking photos of us in the beautiful surroundings.
I can thoroughly recommend this experience if you want to mark a special occasion.   Splendid.

Thank you to my team who made it all possible, and the memory of this will stay with me forever.