Tea time 🫖

Lockdown restrictions have eased. Restaurants can have their usual quota of tables. However, there are still many people wary of mixing and getting too close to strangers. COVID has not and doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon! I still wear a mask in enclosed spaces and prefer to be outdoors as much as possible.

But life must get back to a degree of normality and I must cautiously start socialising again. I have been ‘double jabbed’ so am in the best position to protect myself and others! With some trepidation, I am getting out a bit more. I have mentioned in previous blogs that we have an outdoor dance class three times a week. This has been a life saver! At least I see and speak to others outside of my immediate household and get some enjoyable exercise. The music reflects our carefree teenage years, almost forgotten, but a much needed boost to help us through this current situation! All being of a similar age, we can relate to the sixties and sing along as we unselfconsciously ‘strut our stuff’ on a neighbours driveway!

I have lived here for twenty years and in that time had hardly spoken to anyone in our street. These dance classes have opened up a whole new social circle and I have made some good friends! One of the girls told us about a scrumptious afternoon tea she had enjoyed with her daughter. When the idea of our group going out together was mooted, we all unanimously agreed!

So, all ‘frocked up’, we met at the tea room a couple of weeks later. Chatting animatedly we took our places around two round tables pushed closely together. Teas and coffees ordered, we settled down to an afternoon of frivolity and much laughter! We certainly didn’t need any alcohol! The excitement of being able to meet up with family and friends after so many months was the main topic of our conversation. Some had even had or were planning holidays!

Looking around at the other tables I watched as smiling, happy faces were the order of the day! This pandemic has made me realise how important these social gatherings are to our general health and well-being. Confined to our homes for so many months has, in some cases, had disastrous repercussions! Mental health issues have escalated dramatically.

There were audible gasps of delight when three tiered cake stands were placed before us. The largest tray at the bottom held the sandwiches, the middle tier was filled with small, beautifully decorated cup cakes and the top tier, scones, jam and cream. Suddenly quiet whispers replaced our animated conversations as we chose our sandwiches and tucked in! Complimentary comments and contented sighs would have been all the chef and his kitchen staff needed to show our appreciation!

A couple of hours later, clutching our doggie bags tightly, we made our way home. Determined to forgo supper and probably not eat anything for the next few days, we said our farewells! Great company and absolutely delicious food!

We would have taken these outings for granted, pre-pandemic! Perhaps there will be a positive legacy left by COVID? I personally will appreciate life’s little pleasures so much more! Those long, hard, stressful months of semi-confinement will stay with me forever! If everyone got vaccinated we could get back to normal a whole lot quicker! Alas, we have the freedom of choice! Some use it more wisely than others! 👠