As most people know, Easter fluctuates. It roams around the calendar every year like a vodka soaked bunny rabbit. Not so Mirinda’s birthday. However, they do coincide sometimes. Like this year. Tomorrow is Mirinda’s actual birthday but, why not have a birthweekend? Similar to her Paris five day weekends, a birthday should be celebrated for as long as you can manage it.
And for that reason, today we visited Tylney Hall for afternoon tea and jazz. Both were exceptionally good.
The jazz was provided by the FB Pocket Orchestra. Jenny, Paul and Ollie are three brilliant musicians who filled the room with tunes harking back to the Cotton Club and Kentucky bluegrass.
It was a shame that most of the diners didn’t seem to enjoy the music as much as we did. Maybe they hadn’t realised there’d be music. Maybe they were a bit like Darren when it comes to jazz. Or maybe they were all deaf. Whatever the reason, would a little bit of applause hurt any of them?
I like to think we shamed some of them with our enthusiastic clapping. Though I doubt it.
Of course, a visit to Tylney Hall would not be complete without a wander around the extensive and very green grounds.
Given the glorious weather, it was a marvellous afternoon.
Mind you, I mustn’t forget the amazing afternoon tea. Served in three tiers and including finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and some truly artistic Easter themed delights at the very top.
Mind you, the young boy at the next table from us was less than impressed by something he tasted. While his face was bright with delight when the plate was placed before him, his mouth turned downwards as soon as he sampled something.
I found nothing objectionable. In fact, I’d like to point out the amazing half eggs in the photo below. The yolk was passionfruit, the shell was caramel and the nest at the bottom was hazelnut praline. Obviously a major highlight.
A perfect pre-birthday, birthday afternoon.
