It's that time in the holidays when I start to cram in as many lunches and coffees as possible with people who I haven't seen properly since last summer holidays!
Today my friend Ruth and I went to Haddo House (NTS) for lunch. The coffee shop walls have lots of these mazarines arranged on the walls and each one is unique and rather lovely.
The mazarines (or drainers) were part of a collection of over 500 belonging to a lady from Cambridge whose walls were entirely covered with them! Before she died in 1992 she offered half of her collection to the National Trust for Scotland. In the past no dinner service was complete without at least one mazarine which fitted neatly into an ashet and was used for service of boiled fish or meat!
Outside the courtyard was rather pretty too. We even managed a little walk in the grounds between the downpours. Everything was incredibly green and still today.....not a hint of a breeze.
Then took the train to Aberdeen to have some food with Allan before he went to choir and I took the train back home. Felt like a date!!! Hee hee hee! May still be awake when he gets home!
A cafe-crawl is a good idea! At any time ... not just holidays. This looks an interesting one. I'd never heard of the word 'mazarine' before - so thanks for the info. I wonder where the Cambridge lady kept her 500?!
I love the Gazebo here & it all looks very pretty..a lovely place for a coffee & chat ! Fancy you going on a date at your age Sallie..sounds lovely though !
@jmj
Well I googled the word and it doesn't come up with much.....but the info in my text box is taken from the sign on the wall at the coffee shop so I'm sure they know what it was all about. Can't imagine 500 all over the walls though!
Cafe crawls are good! I'd love to explore the ones in your area soon! Not too far away for a get together at some point!
@happypat hee hee hee! Never too old for fun are we! Maybe you and Harry should do a tour of this part of the world now you are retired! And I can show you lots of lovely places for coffee and chat!
@sarah19 We might well do that Sallie. We do plan to get about a bit when poor old Jenny has passed on which won't be long. We can take the other dog with us if we get a cottage! Harry & I have been on a little date to Blackpool tonight !! Got some great pictures so will have a week of Blackpool from tomorrow !!
This looks like a wonderful place (I so want to go to Scotland!!! I should just stop looking at yours and Jennifer's pictures!) and so interesting about the dishes. And, I must add, just because you're married, it doesn't mean you and hubby can't go on a date. In fact, I believe we should- keeps the romance alive and well. (o:
Well I googled the word and it doesn't come up with much.....but the info in my text box is taken from the sign on the wall at the coffee shop so I'm sure they know what it was all about. Can't imagine 500 all over the walls though!
Cafe crawls are good! I'd love to explore the ones in your area soon! Not too far away for a get together at some point!