This was one of the more exciting things on my list, and something I always have wanted to do. My hubby didn't fancy sharing this experience with me so he suggested I have a nice girly day out instead....which was no problem at all!
I have so many lovely girlfriends, and I would loved to have shared this experience with all of them, however that just physically wasn't going to be possible so I decided to ask 2 special friends, Helen and Sabrina.
Helen has Multiple Sclerosis so I knew it would be a personal challenge for her but I wanted her to experience the same as me, so Sabrina and I made sure that everything was in place for the day to go smoothly for her and show her that a wheelchair isnt a hinderence!
The date for our girly trip to London was arranged for Tuesday 4th June 2013, The Ritz was booked , the train was sorted, and we decided to also treat ourselves to a manicure at Fortnum and Mason,and we also had booked a table at Henry's bar opposite The Ritz to have cocktails...all were amazingly helpful when we explained that one in the party was in a wheelchair and although Helen was anxious, Sabrina and I felt confident that the day would go without a hitch, and we were right to feel that way as it all went according to plan, and infact Helen was treated like a VIP all day!
The sun was shining gloriously from the minute we woke up until we got back home, just couldnt have asked for better weather!
We went by train from York to Kings Cross, had a cheeky bottle of Prosecco on the train (good plan Sabrina!) and then got a black cab to Fortnum and Mason, did a little bit of shopping/browsing and then had our manicure. We then walked to The Ritz for our Afternoon Tea!
The minute you walk in The Ritz it feels special, there is such a lovely atmosphere. Afternoon tea is served in The Palm Court Restaurant which is beautiful. We were absolutely stuffed when we came out, tea, sandwiches, cake in abundance, very good value for money, infact there was so much we couldn't eat it all!
This is the menu for Afternoon Tea:
- Ham Sandwich with Grain Mustard Mayonnaise on White Bread
- Cheddar Cheese Sandwich with Chutney on Onion Bread
- Cucumber Sandwich with Cream Cheese, Dill, and Chives on Caraway Seed Bread
- Chicken Breast Sandwich with Horseradish Cream on White Bread
- Scottish Smoked Salmon with Lemon Butter on Rye Bread
- Egg Mayonnaise Sandwich with Chopped Shallots and Watercress on White Bread
- Freshly Baked Raisin and Plain Scones with Cornish Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserve
- Assortment of Afternoon Tea Pastries and Cakes
After The Ritz, we had a quick walk in the park to burn off our indulgence! the park took us through to Buckingham Palace which was nice to see as it was also the Queens 60th Coronation Anniversary.
We then went to Henry's Bar for cocktails before our taxi came and took us back to Kings Cross...none of us were ready to leave we could have quite happily stayed!
It was truly one of the best days of my life so far, we met so many lovely people, from the man in Starbucks whom Helen had a little twizzle stick flirtation with, to the lady on the train whose little dog shit on the floor, the guard who helped us at Kings Cross, the American man in Fortnum and Mason, the Amnesty man who shouted to us that we were all beautiful, all the staff in Fortnum and Mason, The Ritz, Henry's Bar, the taxi drivers and the train staff !
We laughed so much and to see Helen so happy and relaxed and relishing in the day made it for me...when shall we do it again?!!!
