Late Birthday presents are the best

Oh I do love having a late birthday present, I think all my friends are now going to have an iou, wrapped in something utterly gorgeous, then months later they can have an opportunity to feel special again.

On Sunday I was treated to afternoon tea at a London hotel by the Darlings and had a joyful day.  The gift had been presented to me on my birthday many months ago, in a bundle of brightly coloured ribbons and we were all able to decide on the best day to book the trip and enjoy the anticipation. 

Sir Joshua Reynolds wears a jaunty summer sash !

The Royal Academy summer exhibition has recently opened so this was an ideal chance for us all to take a stroll around the beautiful, weird, exotic, incomprehensible, rubbish, and simply stunning artworks, chosen by the Royal Academy to be displayed as a sample of art in Britain today. Always a good talking point as everyone has different views on what is talent, is it actual skill, visions, use of colour or simply the agile use of meaningful words to describe a scribble on a canvas.  Enough said I think.

Out of the front doors and onto Piccadilly we walked into a massive Hare Krishna celebration taking place. It was a wonderful and colourful scene with happy chanting people filling the streets which had been closed for the event.

Tea was utter indulgence starting with a glass of champagne to wind down after the mornings events. Delicious little sandwiches, the zucchini and pesto were delicious, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam and a massive variety of delicate little cakes.  All this washed down with ginger and lemongrass tea. 

The day didn't stop there, we arrived home and The Chief was taking on his favourite Sunday evening occupation, preparing a BBQ!  We all gathered around the table in the garden (wrapped in warm fleeces!) to eat and chat about the day’s events which finished the day off perfectly.


I felt like the Queen having my official birthday!