First time in my life!

What comes up in your mind if you think of England?

No, not "Fish&chips"! but "Afternoon Tea" !

I have never had a proper Afternoon Tea in a cafe or restaurant although I have lived in this country for more than 2 years. 

Besides, we recently found out that there was a museum (Hove museum) in the city where we have been living for more than one year!

Our main interest was not the museum itself but the cafe within where they offer a "Truly Scrumptious" Tea.

This Saturday, we went to see how truly scrumptious this tea would be!

This place is really a hidden spot because firstly the museum is not so famous and located in a residential area but also few people know this afternoon tea set that its cafe sells. Plus, you can only get it if you reserve in advance for minimum 4 people. 

Anyway, the tea room interior was very nice with the wall packed with cute tea pots, plates and vases.

Once we sat down, we ordered a type of tea each. Of course you could order coffee but we were there to experience a "proper" English ritual so no way!

After about 10 minutes, here it comes!! 

A tour, no two tours of feasts! (sandwiches, scones, cakes and cup cakes)

We got also hot savouries including cheese toasts, raison buns, cinnamon bread.

We were so excited and delighted of the food, so were those sitting in nearby tables.

My favourite was raison scone. According to Ben, it was not as good as the last time when he came for a cup of tea in the morning. It was more fresh as probably they were just made.

Nevertheless, it was not too sweet and greatly matched with clotted cream and jam♡

We enjoyed it so much with nice chats but it was impossible to finish them all. Most of them were quite sweet and heavy, indeed. 

But we could not leave them on the table. So although asking a doggy bag has not been so common and considered so well in this country, we asked it and waiters at the cafe were very nice to accept it. 

It was a very nice experience, indeed!

If you come to Brighton, I would be very happy to take you there! 

Special summer in Japan

Winter is approaching the UK. This will be my 3rd year/winter in this country.

Since my last blog on the experience in Ethiopia, I have been away for a long while (from the blog)...

After I came back to the UK in August, I finally got a job which has kept me busy, too busy in fact.

But it has calmed down this week and I had a proper weekend so I thought I should recall my summer in Japan.

10 days after my return to Japan from Ethiopia, we had a Japanese traditional wedding ceremony in my hometown as we had planned it since our engagement last year. 

It followed by a reception in a hotel nearby with a beautiful Japanese garden.

We invited people really close to us either professionally or personally (family and friends). So it was very intimate small reception.

My Kimono (wedding dress) was super heavy and thick. It is the worst clothes to wear in the summer in Japan, hot and humid. But I managed it anyway until the end.

Now it is a good memory: never again:)

The reception went by so quickly that we did not really have time to chat with individual invited and even to taste looking so delicious meals.

But as long as the invited had a good time, we were happy.

The party went smoothly and was great thanks to my parents who worked much more than us for the preparation.

We appreciated their support so much!

From the UK, Ben's parents and some close friends came to Japan to attend the series of our wedding parties.

They spent a few days in Kitakyushu. I hope they enjoyed their stay in rather small towns in Japan.

Water-Environmental museum (under water)

Kokura chastel (There were many interactive displays and objects)

One week after, we had another more casual party in Osaka by inviting our friends living in the area or above like Tokyo.

The time passed by so quickly again but it was really nice to see my friends again that I had not for ages!

During our stay in Osaka, we did not forget to go to our favourite restaurant, Kathmandu (Nepalese).

After the crazy 2 weeks, we took a week for a sort of honeymoon to travel in Shikoku island by motorcycle. I was just behind him though.

Olive garden in Shodoshima 

Tosa where a famous Samurai (Ryoma Sakamoto) is from

It was so nice weather, well hot that the touring was sometimes tiring but it was very refreshing to be surrounded by the nature (mountains and sea) with very nice Japanese local cuisine.

Beach side BBQ (over there is the ocean)

Deer fresh meat, salted and grilled river fish, etc...

Sunset from a ferry going to Shodoshima from Hyogo

 

I feel really lucky to have had 2 or even 3 wedding parties in my life with people I love and appreciate.

Thank you so much for those who came to our wedding(s) and made special occasions for us!