How To Disappear Completely

Tea, Scones, and Other Girlie Things...

An excursion to the Cotswald today took me through the quintissential English countryside, complete with stone cottages, wooden gates, trimmed hedges, sheep, church spires, large estates, one-way lanes used as two, and spreading trees. Our winding drive took us to Chipping Camden, notably to a little tea shop entitled "Badger Hall." Quite cozy in its dimensions, the cottage sat six tables, perhaps, and the family dog watched us from the stairs just to the side. Being under six feet tall was an advantage today; the dark-timbered roofs were rather low.

Creamy carrot soup, brown bread, scones, tea, lemon drizzle cake, and chocolate curl sponge comprised our meal. Stirring milk into English Breakfast while sitting in a cottage while the dog watches makes one feel both elegant and homey. A nice combination of affects. Prior to our repast, we had toured the old book shop, and I added to the growing collection of "Things That Will Make My Suitcase Heavy When I Return." Oh well. If I must leave some of my clothes behind when I return home, so be it.