Race for Olympic Tea Pot

After having watched the emotional race of a lifetime as Bradley Wiggins created cycling history, making a brew was all I could do to calm down afterwards – and oh how I wished I had this historic china teapot to make that celebratory cuppa in. I adore the retro 1948 austere simplicity and the stylish olympic rings decoration at the lid. Just the perfect teapot to brew your celebratory cuppa with Great British pride.

Wedgwood Museum collection 1948 olympic teapot

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Father’s Day Treat – A Rather Posh Gentleman’s Tea at the Grosvenor Hotel Chester

Gentleman’s afternoon tea – perfect for a posh father’s day

The Grosvenor Hotel in Chester is one of those places when you step in the door that you know you are going to be apprehended I stand a little taller prior to the question – even if I know I have a good response – I always think it is harder to throw someone out who looks the part. But we have the necessary booking and all is efficient service once this initial encounter is done with. In our case, we are heading to the intimate Arkle bar and select a generous sofa to relax and await our tea. The tea is served freshly brewed, and poured for you if you wish. It goes without saying my dears that more hot water is supplied that easily brews another pot with the excellent tea leaves.

Gentleman’s Afternoon tea

At the perfect moment, just before we can no longer resist the cakes, we are tempted with the offer of more crusty bloomers and the gorgeous Cheshire Appleby cheese, a very nice touch that will have me returning bravo Grosvenor! A generous portion of chunky chips cannot fail to keep the chaps happy, but I have my eye on the liquorice macaroon and slab of fruit cake. The Grosvenor more than exceeds expectations. A great feature of this gentleman’s tea is the generosity of the experience. You can imagine that I can drink a fair amount of tea, but the Grosvenor has almost out tead even me. Their other rule – no electronic devices - Well, after all, one needs to concentrate on the essentials of a gentleman’s afternoon tea, and it does quite set the tone. With Father’s Day fast approaching, Tea with Mary Kate’s recommendation is a proper gentleman’s tea – just the ticket to treat that special man in your life.

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Bunting at the ready by the Thames

Well, here we are excitement mounting as time ticks towards the largest flotilla seen on the Thames for 300 years. As we huddle in the crowd and the 1952 news plays, it feels terribly British, flags and bunting at the ready. I confess all that is required now is a delightful and flavoursome warm cup of tea.

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Bunting at the ready by the Thames

Well, here we are excitement mounting as time ticks towards the largest flotilla seen on the Thames for 300 years. As we huddle in the crowd and the 1952 news plays, it feels terribly British, flags and bunting at the ready. I confess all that is required now is a delightful and flavoursome warm cup of tea.

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What are your Favourite Jubilee Tea Pots – that are Fit for a Queen of course

With only a few days to go to the Royal event of a lifetime, Tea with Mary Kate is reaching a state of  preparedness. All the best china tea cups are at the ready with my best white table linen ironed to within an inch of its life. Most importantly, there is a rather large supply of bunting – stand still long enough and you will be covered!

The way to celebrate this splendid events is of course is a traditional afternoon tea.  Now my dears, it goes almost without saying that  very little motivation is required on my behalf to acquire a new tea pot  for this splendid occasion- well, they are so practical and always very handy. It is hardly any indulgence at all to invest in a new teapot to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Tea with Mary Kate is still deliberating on her 3 favourite tea pots -With time ticking which one to choose?:

Alison Gardiner diamond jubilee tea pot

Emma Bridgewater 60 years a Queen diamond jubilee tea pot

Royal crown derby diamond jubilee 2 person tea pot

Do you have a favourite? My dears, I would love to hear from you what your recommendation is for the most marvellous tea pot to accompany a jubilee afternoon tea?

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Tearific Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the Park Lane Hilton London

Diamond Jubilee afternoon tea – Park Lane Hilton

I can safety report that very soon no part of Britain will escape being covered in Bunting for the Jubilee weekend! The other marvellous tea-lema for Tea with Mary Kate as she making her way to London is quite how many afternoon teas can be squeezed into one weekend – well, there’s only one way to find out! I loved the purple theme of this afternoon tea at the Park Lane Hilton – quite regal with the beautiful portrait of the Queens coronation by Cecil Beaton

 

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How to find the Perfect cup of Tea in Mallorca – Calle Crux 20 Campos

Jewel coloured silk cushions greet you in this hidden courtyard as the soft blue sky warms the lavender scented breeze – it is pretty nice sitting here she notes in understatement…….

In the distance I hear the distinctive hiss of boiling water.

I raise my expectations for a more than average cup of tea that can live up to these delightful surroundings. Truth be told my dears, I already know I am onto a tea winner here. There are not too many venues that boast a separate blackboard listing their tea. I have chosen a black rose.

A moments apprehension sweeps over me. At this point, my imagination has dreamt perfection.

I need not have had a moments doubts though. Ah, leaf tea in its own brewing bag is brought with, yes, you have guessed it, extra boiling water to infuse the splendid aromatic blend. If you are ever passing Campos, I hope this has given you reason to pause and indulge in the quality leaf tea at this splendid establishment. A contented Tea with Mary Kate is thrilled the Spanish have expanded their taste beyond coffee!

a lovely cup of leaf tea in Mallorca

 

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The Spainish Time for Tea is 5 O’Clock – Tea in Palma de Mallorca

Never let it be said that the quest for quality leaf tea ever stops – even when Mary Kate is on holiday!

I am so delighted to find this haven for tea lovers abroad, I just have to share it. If you find yourself in dire straits having forgotten your tea when doing all that last minute rush of packing, with not a glimmer of hope for a good cup of tea, pop along to 5 o’clock tea - I can promise you will not be disappointed. I loved the name – well, it is Spain after all and I figured they would be taking their tea a bit later in the day than the British tradition to align with all things being later in Spain.

Row upon row of leaf filled jars of every tea your heart could wish for await in this beautiful store in the splendid cathedral city in Palma de Mallorca

5 o’clock tea palma de mallorca

ahem, not to be confused with the happenings further along the coast, which will require a great deal more than tea to muddle through.

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A Fashionably Royal Diamond Jubilee Pret-a-Portea – at The Berkeley Hotel

Pret-a portea at the Berkeley Hotel

Oh how splendid! If you are looking for a way to celebrate the Queen’s 60th year on the throne, then my dears look no further than the amazing Berkeley hotel in London who have overhauled their classic Pret-a-Portea afternoon tea menu in honour of the Diamond Jubilee. I adored the pink lady apple fruit cake baked to look like a hat the Queen wore on a royal visit to Canada, who could resist!

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Brenna Berger’s Absolutely Gorgeous Tea Party Invitations – Cakes and Conversation

The first time I saw this invitation I adored it – and the more I look at it, the more I love it! From its hand sown lavender ”tea bags” to its floral images that are coordinated to the tea cups that this lucky invitation went to – who would not be rushing to this tea party.

Brenna Berger’s paper and ink blog features some of her current invitation and freelance design projects. I adore her creative fonts, flare for colour and attention to detail – really wonderful and inspiring work, I recommend a visit.

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