Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing

Yesterday, as I mentioned we went off to the Hyatt to have high tea. Both Nicole (website) and I are partial to high tea. She outdid me by dressing up for the event.

The venue is rather classy. It is a buffet style affair, with little sandwiches, such as cucumber or smoked salmon and hot savories. The sweets were enough to boggle the eyes and overextend the stomach. I realise now that I should have taken a photo of the spread.

I like high tea in those individual tiered plates (again Nicole and I want to race out and buy one), but the buffet was wonderful. I have been thinking to host a shabby chic high-tea myself for some time. I’ve been buying Royal Albert teacups for the purpose (the chic), all mis-matched to make it shabby.

Matthew, Nicole, Erana (my daughter) and James (my son), went along together. The idea for the gig actually came from Matthew’s parents, who couldn’t make it. (we are going back next week for theirs).

Starting from 2.30 and at $35 per head, it is a lovely way to spend the afternoon. I have a few photos but some of the better ones are on my daughter’s camera.

It wasn’t crowded or anything and the adults were offered a glass of champagne, which was quite nice. We sat and sipped, chatting for a bit. Then I said to James to go to the buffet and start.

We all dug in and once we ordered our teas and coffees, the champagne glass was removed. I started with a finger sandwich of smoked salmon and Nicole put a cucumber one on my plate. Then I tried a egg/cucumber mayonnaise thing and tried a tomato/capsicum puff pastry and a vegetarian quiche. I think I went back for seconds but had just the egg/cucumber combo and another little quiche.

Then there was the sweets. On display were brightly-coloured macarons. I am very partial to those so I tried a green one, which was a bit disappointing. It had no flavour. James said I shouldn’t have had it because it was obviously all food colouring. Sigh. (the wisdom of youth).

I cut a slice of bread and butter pudding (warm) and poured custard and a dollop of cream on it. It was amazing. However, as much as I wanted to try the pavlova, the mudcake, the lemon meringue, the meringue with cream, the brownies and other stuff, I could not.

Here is a picture of the ceiling detail. I did not have the nerve to take a photo of the footman in their costumes.

Ceiling at the Hyatt Canberra (built 1924)

I ordered English Breakfast tea but was accidently given Earl Grey. However, they happily changed it and there was no marring of my enjoyment.

Me with tea

You see I forgot to stick my pinky out. Oh dear!

Here is a photo of Nicole and me with our bubbly! See how nicely dressed she is. Put me to shame for not getting into the spirit of things.

Nicole and me and bubbly

Matthew bought me a lovely gift ( a request)- a shiny red Ipad cover. Here’s me with James.

Me, James and pressie

Here is a picture of Nicole’s dessert plate. Not sure if that was her first or second helping…

No sign of weight watchers here

I don’t have a photo of me and Matthew yet. I have to wait for Erana to send me one of hers. Here is Erana and Nicole posing for another camera I think.

Nicole and Erana

The last photo for the moment is the awful group shot. All of us look slightly weird in it. Until I find a better…here goes.

An awful group shot.