The One and Only Tea Room - Now Hanging in Babylon

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Well folks, here we are, transported through time and space to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Golden couches and the distressed chintz sofa are arranged on a terrace overlooking the Euphrates and, as we recline on the exquisitely-soft cushions eating peeled grapes, we can enjoy the warm fragrance of the gardens' many exotic blooms. The garden is tended by the indefatigable Mellors, with occasional help from the bishops, rabbis and any passing world leaders. Somewhere behind the terrace there is an aga and a priest's hole, with optional massage table.

Please come and join us for a celebratory drink and conversation ranging from the profound to the profoundly silly.

::waves at everyone in a very tired and sleepy way, having carefully used only strong gardening gloves for gardening yesterday and washed her hands thoroughly::

I am absolutely cream-crackered. Is it time to go home yet?

Definitely, just about time for a rest before dinner.

Wow, I've missed almost half a Tea Room. No time to read back, very sorry, but most of you know what I've been doing from the other site - Yoga Teacher Training, which is finally over. I'm now fully certified (or certifiable, one of the two) to teach Hatha Yoga.

I've brought Bolly. Anyone?

Ooo yes for the Bolly! Bit early but past caring, since it's only virtual and I can't taste the real stuff at the mo (or at least can't taste anything else so logically not that either...).

Hurrah re Yoga status, JM!

:: Waves ::

Hello! Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. If nobody minds I might just sink into a comfy chair and watch the world go by for a bit.

Am in hotel on my own for two nights for work and feeling a bit after a lovely weekend with Small Bean. We had parents to stay so even managed to go out with Mr Bean for a 'grown-up' meal which happens once in a blue moon. Then back to normal today, 5 hour drive and a pile of work to do tonight... Hey ho...

Wow, where have you been hidden all this time. How are you?

Hiya Lil lapin... so who is Raging rabbit then? another name change or did I miss saying HI to someone new?

Morning all, busy day or two just gone, more to come. Half term. Just waved farewell to my folks, DHs folks arrive friday. Mbile library and playing at park tomorrow, friend visiting on thursday and boy want to take them swimming. DH has a rehersal tonight, concert tomorrow and another ehersal AND concert on Saturday. BEFORE which I must have made them some new audio cables as teh current ones are not long enough.

My Ma was most shocked today when I let boy write ( I did not correct him)
I woz 3rd in the bike ras.

He figured it all out for himself AND it works phoneticly. Teaching methods have changed since I was at school, Boys teacher assures me she would rather know what they can come up with for themselves than what they can copy out.

Bolly time for sure. Amber- it all tastes fantastic in cyber space and no one will see you snort bubbles up your nose.

Congratulations on being certified, JM!

Amber, I am sure that virtual is just what you need. Cheers!

Bean, would it be too revealing to ask what you do that involves hours of driving and heaps of paper?

Wouldn't dream of commenting on anyone else's ethics when it comes to economising (or anything else), which seems to be the main reason so many choose to mn ... we find that replacing meat with lentils, beans and eggs saves a lot of money, but ocasionally miss meat, so raid the freezer the the most ethically-produced home-slaughtered beef possible, wuth only 1.5 food miles. But I am very much aware how lucky we are to have that option. And, ironically, seeing that beef hanging in the barn turned Wriggle vegetarian. We have our own eggs, which are far too free range. Blasted chickens scratched up the lettuce seeds.

CMOT, Wriggle can't even ride a bike with stabilisers on yet, let alone off. What do you think about balance bikes?

Balance bikes are fab. But do get one that fits, too small and they don't learn to balance and scoot and really whiz about. Would recommend for any age 18months plus INCLUDING 5/ 6 yr olds, but an older child may not use a balance bike very long before they are confident enough to whizz about on a proper bike.

Help! Who is Agentesecrete??? I thought it was the Rabbits.

l.l - congratulations!!!! xxx

I've been away for so long I have no idea who is who. Well, except for the original cast of characters. :)
But congratulations to the expecting one, whoever you are, that's lovely!

Congrats from me too

I've lost track of who some people are, but that's absolutely normal for me anyway

Mellors has put breakfast out for everyone on the terrace, I see. Splendid.

I'm still me!

I'm still me too. Or Tee too.

Congrats LL! How exciting.

My ethical dilemma continues as MrTee has read an article claiming fruit and veggie from Europe is actually better for Carbon Footprint than fruit and veggie from down south or even down the street due to the carbon needed to produce said fruit and veggie. ::tee passes out from overload of conflicting information::

Of course, we almost never fly anywhere so I guess that helps....of course we also don't recycle because the recycling room in our building is only open during the week day and I can't carry it down and Mr Tee is at work.

::tee explodes::

Did someone say breakfast on the terrace?

I get confused between Tea and Tee too

I get confused too - actually about quite a lot of things

Tee - slightly off topic but thought of Mr Tee today when listening to the debate about whether veggies from some countries had caused serious food poisoning. Was also slightly amused to hear Britain's Cucumber Consultant being interviewed on the radio - apparently it's a full time job!

Serpent - being deliberately vague I work in Training. Problem is that our Head Office is at the opposite end of the country so when I have to be there it's a bit of a trek and I tend to spend the evenings catching up on work. I shouldn't moan really as the rest of the time I have pretty flexible hours and work a lot from home. Swings and roundabouts (and juggling!).

However, since I am in a hotel I can order from the room service menu for everyone tonight - what does everyone fancy?

Any chance of tuna and banana pizza? (I worry about the effect this chemical regime is having on my taste buds!!)

Coming up Amber! Can I interest you in pudding to go with it?

Nothing for me thanks, I've been eating all day. Non stop.

Hmm, imteresting choice Amber

DH bought me a shed load of gf cheesecakes and other tasties at the farmers market this week. Am feeling fat !

Pudding would be good. Ginger marmite and strawberry ice cream please.

I often get a bit mixed up when anyone says "Does anyone want a cup of tea." LOL!!!!

Afternoon, 1st July... London zoo anyone?????

So far:

Mellors - YES
Bishops - YES
Earl Grey - YES
NMBs - maybe