Category: Events,Reviews | Post by: Andrea Wong
The Alberton Tea Series is in full swing, with another two dates to go on 3 and 7 March 2010. Mum and I went along to the Morning Tea last week. It was raining on and off all morning and I was hoping that the verandah would be enough cover to protect our cups of tea from the elements. I didn't need to worry because not only did the verandah give us great cover, but the rain stayed away while we were there.
I mentioned to our hosts, Randall and Penny, that I hadn't been to Alberton since gong on a school trip when I was a wee girl. And funnily enough, everything seemed strangely familiar - the house had obviously made an impression on me even back then. I guess that it also helps that being an historic house, not much has changed!
Sitting at our table, Mum and I admired the donated vintage tea sets and mother-of-pearl and silver cutlery that we were about to use. Around us were tables of people, mainly women, enjoying their cups of tea and nibbles. It as a lovely feeling, sitting on the Alberton verandah. Painted white, the verandah is wide, roomy and light-feeling. I could have stayed there all day - all I needed was my cross-stitch and I could have been in colonial New Zealand.
We were served a big pot of tea each and the food soon followed on a little tiered cake stand: scones and a selection of sandwiches. Having an incredibly sweet tooth, I was hoping for a little cake or something as well but perhaps it was too early for sweets at Alberton (it's never too early for cake in my house).
We sat on the verandah, nibbling and sipping our morning tea, while having a nice chat. It is so nice to have such a relaxing morning - it is something that we don't make time for enough, I think. We were free to wander around Alberton afterwards, to see the rooms and all its possessions. Mum recognised some of the things from her early childhood like the old copper, washing boards and clothes wringer. It reminded me that despite living busy lives, we are lucky that we have time to do things beyond the essential... like writing blogs!
If you can't make any of the other Tea Party dates, Alberton is putting on an Easter Tea Party on 4 April 2010. Contact Alberton to make a booking.
Going to an Alberton tea party is well worth it for a nice, relaxed morning or afternoon tea and a look around this historic house. Take your mum, daughter, niece, friend or cousin and make a girly day of it.