Sunday 31 May 2009

Ashridge Estate Afternoon tea

We went in search of a bluebell wood. At Ashridge Estate we realised that we'd missed the bluebells by about a fortnight - the ones that were left were faded and drooping. But the aroma wafting through the trees indicated that we were just in time for the garlic season. I have never in my life before seen so much wild garlic! It was such a pity we hadn't packed a plastic bag, or I would have done some serious foraging (although I suspect that would be against National Trust rules).

After a lovely walk in the cool woods - doing a lot of research for Captain Haddock on the natural growth habits of the field maple - it was time for tea.

Paul has never knowingly left a scone uneaten, and while he isn't a huge fan of the fruit scone, he was pretty happy with this one.

I'd sort of had my heart set on a piece of sponge cake - if at all possible sandwiched with strawberry jam and whipped cream and dusted with icing sugar. It wasn't to be. But what they did have was a very close relation of the brownie crusted cheesecake Mr Orph posted about recently. It was a good effort - but should have been lemonier to cut through the rich chocolate of the brownie crust.

7 comments:

kat said...

I am spoiled for scones forever with the wonderful ones we had in England

Stacey said...

Mmmmm..... that cheesecake looks so good!

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Oh Foodycat, I do so envy your geography. I live in the desert Southwest..in Texas. No woods around me. Afternoon tea with that marvelous cheesecake sounds divine.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Kat - British baking tends to be very good!

Stacey - it was, although the base was a little oily.

Teresa - I would love to experience the desert some day too! But the cooling feeling of walking through forests is so hard to beat.

Heather said...

that place looks so charming!! and the cheesecake looks amazing!!

Deb in Hawaii said...

What a gorgeous place to spend time in. Both the scone and cheesecake look delicious too.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Heather - it was very pretty! Amazing woodland and a herd of deer.

Deb - all baked on the premises, too.

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