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Thursday 27 May 2010

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLISH AFTERNOON TEA ..........

Hertford has been the county town of Hertfordshire since Saxon times, and is 10 minutes away from where I live.


The town of Meryton in the Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice, is thought to have been
based on Hertford.

The town centre still follows the medieval layout, with many timber framed buildings. The first mention of the town was in 673 AD. By the time of the Domesday Book, Hertford had 2 churches, 2 markets and 3 mills.
The Parliament of England temporarily moved to Hertford during the Great Plague of London in 1665.That is why the square in the town is called Parliament Square.

..... but, it is also very up to date with some lovely restaurants. This one is Cafe Rouge, Although they are a chain of restaurants, it is like you are in the depths of France when you eat or have a
drink there.


I think that the above looks very French.

This is a really lovely florist in Hertford. Their displays are very rustic with old wooden boxes,
vintage terracotta pots and many rusty items.



Farrow and Farrow is a delicatessen filled with delicious Venison, Rabbit and Kidney and Guinness pies ( I just hope that Sweeney Todd isn't lurking around there somewhere !! ) They also sell Braughing sausages, made in the local village of Braughing, and very famous in sausage circles !!
Can you see those gi-normous meringues ? !!


Now, just past the doctor's surgery, which looks very similar to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's house, Number 11 Downing Street, London, don't ya think ?.............


...... then, turn left into a little 'Jack the Ripper' alleyway, and there before you is a delightful Tea Room and garden.









Once inside, it's like being in someones Victorian parlor. Tables laid with snowy white tablecloths, beautiful china, sofas around a cast iron fireplace, old fashioned high chairs, dressers and
overmantles.















After partaking in tea, sandwiches and cake, a little stroll along the river was called for.





Over the bridge ..........




.......... and pass the weir. How delightfully English it all was ..... BUT THEN, look what greeted us on our way back to the car.......... and, I promise you all that this was absolutely true. It's a bit out of focus, as I took it quickly because I didn't want him to see me !! ..........





WHAT A WONDERFUL SIGHT TO BEHOLD !!!!!!








I just hope that it hasn't put any of you off of your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and continued support.
Have a lovely weekend and make sure that your trousers fit properly and there is no builders bum on show !!!! haha










Jackie

86 comments:

  1. OMG........can find the words to describe how wonderfull I think your pictures are!!!!!!!!!!!! I'n justs gonna enjoy them again.......not gonna say ANYTHING about your last picture....*shiver*...;)

    Have a nice day!

    Lynda

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  2. OMG!! You make my day........your stories are just great you should be a writer............Thanks for the history and photo's......I have a friend that just left for York today and I hope he has a Great time........................I love to see your area some day. XO MARY

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  3. What a beautiful, beautiful trip! Thank you so much for taking us on the journey, each step was delightful and lovely.

    And the last picture was a brilliant surprise! Sadly, I think there is one of these in every town!

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  4. Jackie, I counted only 4 people in all those photos! How did you manage that??!! But seriously, it looks like a magical place where my sig-oth (significant other), Kevin, would be right at home. He maintains that his previous life was in Jane Austen's times! I was just a medieval peasant in a previous life, that's all! You are so lucky to live in such a history-soaked part of the world! Much love to you, Dear Jackie! ox

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  5. Absolutely beautiful photos Jackie, I loved looking at these....and that last one.....brilliant, it wouldn't be a post from you without a large dollop of humour would it??!!!! Great photo altho it doesn't beat one I saw the other day....good job, I wasn't driving at the time, I was totally distracted LOL!!

    Hertford is beautiful, what wonderful shops, that deli looks - and sounds - fabulous :)

    Great post xoxo

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  6. My stars! Didn't he feel the breezes a bit???

    Loved the tour. Such a beautiful place to wander. Even with the added "scenery"!

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  7. Hahhahaha. Just as I was about to say I wanted to visit ;-) Still do mind ... but might wait until it's warmer weather and the locals cover up more! Excellent Jackie!

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  8. Ha! Awesome, awesome pictures Jackie!!! I would love, love, love to visit there!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Enjoy your weekend my dear ~

    :) T

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  9. I could have done without the plumbers crack but a little touch of reality helps me to remember that all is not always perfect even in such an idillic village...Beautiful place Jackie and if only I could jump in a travel machine and be there at this minute...

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  10. I used to think Bath did the best afternoon teas, but now that I've heard about Hertford AND seen with my own eye that their tea-shop has the same china pattern as I do, I may reconsider. Would you mind sending me a sample scone with jam and clotted cream on a dainty plate for my research?

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  11. PS - thanks for sidebarring my giveaway - you're a dear!

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  12. Oh Jackie,

    That bib bum! You were probably shaking with laughter while taking the picture! Weren't you afraid that he might hear the click of the camera?!

    Hertford looks great! I enjoyed the pictures you took along the canal, the old houses and that tearoom....simply gorgeous!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Lieve groet, a still laughing Madelief

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  13. So there I was going all swooney and longing to visit this gorgeous place, take tea and stroll by the river, when I was brought down to reality by the last picture. Reality and a huge smile!

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  14. What a beautiful place to live, and your tea looks wonderful.
    Karen

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  15. All so beautiful... well, except that last one ;)

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  16. Such a JOY to see your pics... ~ Have never ventured "across the ocean" - but most certainly WANT TO!*!*! Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!

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  17. Lovely photos, makes homesick for my lovely south east of england, beds and bucks. Gotta love the last photo, how typical, it's great the way you had a little build up to it in your story of Herford, very romantic ha ha ha

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  18. That's strange I don't remember being in Hertford lately.

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  19. Thanks so much for the lovely (mostly) tour! JQ

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  20. Beautiful tour !!! thanks for share.............hugs from me.............bye!

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  21. Jackie -- This is simply England at its best (with the exception of that too-much-information peek of plumber's cleavage ...); lovely interiors, beautiful grounds. And then the whole concept of an English tea.
    Wonderful choice of subject!
    XO
    Michael

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  22. Wonderful post and photos, Jackie....What a gorgeous town you live in..! That last photo is hilarious, but unfortunately commonplace over in my neck of the woods too...haha...Happy weekend to you! I am off to Vegas and Catalina! xxoo :)

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  23. People are uncouth every where. Yes? The rest of the photos were off the chain! That's my speak for eight kinds of awesome. Oh to slow down and have a proper English tea!

    ♦olive♦

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  24. Hello! I agree with you about cafe Rouge , I have been in a couple and you are transported to paris when you enter the door, they even usuallly have french speaking staff. your patch looks lovely, and the tearooms are very genteel and elegantly victorian, you transported me once again ,until the rude awakening at the bottom!!!YUCK.. Its enough to turn you into a nun if all men looked like that!!!! Bestest wishes,Linda x x

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  25. This place is simply gorgeous!!

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  26. Hi Jackie! thank you for this tour! I was completely delighted ... the town, the details, the tea room...and then saw the last image....
    and I exploded in a big laugh!!!
    oh my!!!! you're so funny, dear!!! great post!!!

    Hugs!
    Mara

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  27. Hi
    Yes Victor is in England in the Lake District.
    He called tonight and it's really cold.
    But they have to their liking. And find it very beautiful.
    They stay in cottages.
    A motorcycle vacation with his brother.
    The photos of the different location high tea are great ... .. together we drink a cup of tea ..... ;-))
    Have a nice weekend
    Hetty XXXXX

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  28. Oh Jackie, I was wandering dreamily through those cobblestone streets, sipping tea from a dainty cup, and then BAM! back to reality with that last pic! My kids raced in to see what I was laughing at so early in the morning! Have a great day, and thanks for the lovely comments on my kitchen - next step, those ceilings! K xx

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  29. Ah such beauty you provide us with...and the town looks pretty good too! The year I spent living in England was one of the best of my life and you've just brought it all flooding back...double sigh. Wish I could transport myself there, right now! Have a wonderful weekend you gorgeous thing.

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  30. Oh Jackie, you crack me up (no pun intended). What a truly beautiful post. In fact, I have a dual UK/Australian passport - I could do with some more refinement in my life and a temporary relocation to Hertford might be just the thing! I'd love to share a coffee with you at Cafe Rouge. Meredy xo.

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  31. My dear Jackie,

    Absolutely beautiful photos, I loved looking at these. I wish I was there with you :) Hugs XX

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  32. I almost spit out my coffee. Ah ha ha!

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  33. That last picture cracked me up Jackie ~ oh ~ did I say crack!! I love taking these strolls along with you and seeing the beautiful flowers and architecture. What is the first flower ~ I love it and do not recognize it at all! I would love to pour a cup of tea from the huge Royal Albert teapot ~ then later we could switch to cocktails! Have a wonderful week-end sweet lady. xo

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  34. What a crack-up Jackie! Pun intended...
    I want to thank you for this lovely outing. I am so crazy over anything English. I really believe that because all my ancesters came from England, that I feel that it is a part of me in some way. I am always thrilled to see the beauty that your country has to offer. Your photos are just amazing in this post. I LOVED it!!!
    hugs

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  35. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. My bf is from England and I love going to a real tea shop and having tea time with him. Luxurious! :)

    Hugs!

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  36. haha way to go!! I just choked in my breakfast or however you say that !! Great bum NOT!
    Anyway the village looks very good especially that little square with the teras.
    Just a village one of those BBC programmes with the bold guy would go to find a dreamhome for some one ;)
    Don't worry about missing out a comment now or there!
    have a great weekend
    desiree

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  37. O the Plumber's Crack as we call it here. They are ubiquitous the world over.

    Hertford looks divine. And noone, and I mean noone can do afternoon tea like the English. Or proper tea in a pot for that matter. xoxo

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  38. Je veux bien échanger un peu de cette ambiance contre une ambiance provençale.....

    Bon Week end

    Manon

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  39. Jackie, you know how much I enjoy your posts about English life, do you??? I dream while reading it!!! I will be sure to visit this gorgeous place!

    Have a lovely weekend, hope it's sunny and warm in England to show its best. I miss it. xoxo

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  40. Jackie, I imagine that this is real english life, what a great town... the tea room looks so romantic and inviting. Next year we will visit London with our parents (and perhaps the Chelsea Flower Show too) and we think that we combine it with another trip (only me and my hubby) to the beautiful countryside. Hertfort could be one of the places.... thank you so much for this gorgeous tip...
    Please tell me more about the Chelsea Flower Show this year, we enjoyed our visit three years ago very very much, it was sooooo gorgeous, I think a gardner must have seen this gigantic Spectacle!
    Many warm hugs
    Bine

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  41. GORGEOUS!! I want to go! Hope you have a delightful weekend!

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  42. Well Jackie
    What a beautiful little town.. reminds me of those here in the Blue Mountains .. although they are probably based on little towns like this!!! Well that weir also looks delightful... although that is one huge crack in the dam! Good to see the full moon is out there also!!!! xx Julie

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  43. Who knew Hertford could be so pretty? Thank you for sharing Jacquiequie. I rather like the slight tongue in cheek Cafe Rouge, yes, a bit French with the surrounding area.

    Hope you had a lovely visit.

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  44. What a beautiful area you live in. I love your list of films and music so I'm for a nosey round your blog!

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  45. A truly gorgeous day out, except for the bottom!;o) I keep noticing how much england is similar to france just recently, I'm not sure if it always has or things are changing....? xx

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  46. HAHA, this is the best post Ever!! Filled of everything that I love. Also a delightful view of a naughty bum. Priceless :)) My gosh it is lovely in this town, beautiful architecture, pretty street decorations as lamps, garden and fences. I would have loved to take a walk with you here!

    Thank you for sending me such thoughtful words and wishes Jackie, I am sending you my warmest hug ♥

    Aina

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  47. Hello,

    wat a wonderful blog.

    greatings send you Conny


    and you bloglist is fantastik

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  48. What beautiful pics, sounds wonderful! Have a sweet day!

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  49. Just lovely, and I like the last laugh! HA hA!

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  50. Such a tasteful post dear Jac, topped off beautifully by that last image. I'm exposed to the Plumber's Crack (via MOTH's work shorts) every day, so it's second nature to me. Maybe you should somehow Photoshop this beauty into your Header!
    Millie ^_^

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  51. Oh I died laughing at the builder's bum! Your photos are precious and I want to sit down and watch you take pictures while I eat goodies and drink tea too! Fun!

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  52. Oh Jac's how funny...that bought us all back to earth.

    What a fabulous tour you have taken us on, I was in heaven. Just adore this sort of thing. Really love Cafe Rouge, those red doors for starters! What beautiful buildings. That's what you miss over here, the history and lots of gorgeous old things. We are so young,(the architecture darling) it's painful ;)

    Have a fab weekend,
    xoxo Deej

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  53. Oh Dear Jackie!!, What an enchanting trip you took me on. Such a quaint and historic place to meet for tea, wish I was there. That river is beautiful and the architecture of those building's is fabulous. Thank you so much for the great tour. yvonne

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  54. hahaha hilarious. quite a bit o crack there!
    what a delicious little place that is. i love your photos and commentary
    have a great weekend
    ~laura

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  55. Thank you so much for posting about this wonderful place. I will send a link to this post to my lucky sister who is living in the UK at the moment.

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

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  56. Ha Ha Ha !!! Priceless that last photograph... I wish I lived in such a lovely place.

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  57. How very proper and very English..I love it. We are entering into Autumn here and that is my scones at high tea time (and my running 10km's to keep the cream at bay!!). How I would love to have scones and tea in that garden. One day I will. I love the history you bring to your images.

    Love the last image! Bum cleavage is never a good look.

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  58. I just love your tours Jackie, especially when they also take in the quintessential english gentleman! Ha ha! (I thought your photo was going to be of a fox!) This town looks so lovely. I'd love to visit one day.

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  59. Oh Jackie!
    ahahahah I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this tour ..you know I'm obsessed with everything Brit.. I wanted to say many things but the last picture just took all the words away:D.. it basically stole the show !
    xxxx Flaviana

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  60. Hmmmm.... now I know where to park my bike when I visit! That last photo is just priceless! I love it. The tour was just fabulous! England just seems so quaint and charming. Filled with lovely places to visit, except for the last one though. I can visit enough of those here!

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  61. What a wonderful place...perfect for afternoon tea! Minus the last image....Ha Ha!! Axx

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  62. What fabulous flowers... ANd what a fabulous, ah hahaha last shot hahaha xx

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  63. beautiful....
    i want to be there!

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  64. Jackie, thanks so much for your kind comment and always welcomed visit! Happy 1st. of June...

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  65. Be still my beating heart! LOVE this and your blog, as well! Tiptoed over from Signed by Ange to take a peek and decided to make myself at home and stay for tea. Dreamy pics {well, except for that last one!} that have me dreaming of tea in England. Thanks for the lovely escape!
    xx Suzanne

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  66. ...what a wonderful, wonderful post!!! My goodness, I'm still laughing...

    cheryl

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  67. GORGEOUS post! Will there be champagne at tea? If so... I'll be there!

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  68. This last image is soooo funny! Well done:-)!Warm regards Anja

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  69. hahaha Jackie, you are so funny and spontaneous, i love your approach, always like your photos you take. Warm Hugs to you / Ingela.

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  70. Lovely post, truly English!
    The builder must have been tired after a hard day's work, thanks for making me laugh, Jackie.

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  71. Thank you so much for this tour. I will have to come back for more!
    Pam

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  72. You are really making me desperate to visit England, Jackie. That bum shot was classic. Hysterical. xx

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  73. Dear Jackie,
    I love England, all the flair and the houses, everything!
    I am also a huge Agatha Christie fan
    Your pictures capture just the one, which I find in England so great!
    Have a nice day,
    Yvonne

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  74. This cracks me up!! oh sorry - probably bad unintentional pun there!!!

    what a gorgeous village, have never been, will add to the list though. I miss england so much! would love to be there again this summer.

    julesx

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  75. Oh Jacqueline.......you write the most wonderful posts. I feel like I just took a trip and the last photo had me laughing out loud. Thank you for your most wonderful comments in the last few weeks, you write the best comments that make everyone feel good. Not a small thing. Much love XO

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  76. Great post. I really got the flavor of where you live. And I am so jealous!

    I would love to take tea in that tearoom and walk by the river afterwards. And that butt crack shot is priceless!

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  77. (Sigh)...How lovely. I really did enjoy the walk around town, thank you very much!

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  78. Dear Jacqueline~
    Ah! I am refreshed being here with you. Thank you for the trip to Blissland. I feel like we just sat and had tea and walked togeter. Each post of yours is always the BEST because you are THE BEST!!!
    XO
    p.s. OH Did I tell you yet how much I LOVE YOUR NEW HEADER?!?!?!??!

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  79. Hi Jacky!
    Thank you for your congratulations!
    You have a wonderful blogg it´s the first time I visit it but I´ll will be back.
    Have a nice weekend
    Lena from Stockholm

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  80. wow, your pictures are amazing, I live about fifteen minutes away from Hertford & it is a lovely town ! :)

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  81. Greetings Jackie - you are so fortunate to live amongst such history & beauty. You take us to the most fabulous of places through your eyes, & your marvelous whit. Nothing like ending your tea with a bit of buns! I've missed you and it looks like you've been wonderfully busy. So many great awards and wins and your new blog header looks magnificent. Your amazing!! Hugs to you xoxo

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  82. Jackie, LOVE this post. All of those images are beautiful. LOVE that last one!!! You are too funny!
    You have the most inspirational posts!!!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Take Care,
    Maria

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  83. Your post made me long for England...I lived in London and Oxford as a student but has not been back in years.... I was so lad to read that you know the area around Agen. perhaps we could meet when you go and visit there...Have a great week end, Francine

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  84. This looks like such a perfect little town. I'm crazy for tea and scones with loads of cream and jam of course. Okay, when shall we meet? What a lovely thought...except for that unfortunate flash of bum...
    Enjoy your week,
    Mimi

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  85. What a lovely tour. I used to travel across the county to Hertford just to visit that beautiful florist Bed of Roses. I still mourn it's passing.
    Louise x

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  86. You're a gem, Jackie. Have a wonderful week.

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