Keep calm and carry on

Sunday morning we woke and could not believe it. All the beautiful days of sunshine we have had this week and then this. When we were wanting to hang up the bunting for our celebration platinum Jubilee afternoon tea, we were in the midst of a thunderstorm! Dark grey clouds, lightning, thunder and rain. Never mind, we would stay calm and carry on as planned, preparing for our guests arrival at 4pm.

I’d made a Victoria sandwich and some scones the day before, which I was going to serve with locally made strawberry jam and a thick, super cold crème fraiche.

I had also made some mini quiches, sausage rolls and ham and mustard sandwiches, oh and some pistachio biscuits - the recipe Dominique had shared with me a few weeks ago.

The weather was still awful at 2.30pm, so we decided to plan to have tea indoors. However, at 3pm, a sudden ray of sunshine spilled into the kitchen. We looked outside and there was a definite break in the clouds. Brian made the brave decision to rush out and put the bunting up.

By 3.45pm, the bunting was flapping beautifully against the now beautifully blue sky. The tables and chairs were wiped dry, and the champagne was chilling in the ice bucket.

Inside, the house was looking splendid in its red white and blue - our little contribution to the celebrations for the Queen and her platinum jubilee.