My shoes and socks are wet, soaked with whatever it is that is so constant here - dew or rain or just wet seepage. At lunchtime, Scott and l like to walk on one of the three footpaths around Windmill house. The one that we took today goes through three sheep fields (with lots of sheep poop), over four stiles, down an ancient roman road, until you meet up with the road going up Weatheroak Hill.
We past by cottages with names: Granny's cottage; Rose cottage, Dolphin House and dolphin barn.
We trudge past the Coach and Horse freehouse pub, and up the steep hill. Finally, we past the refurbished windmill in a pasture and duck past Windmill cottage onto the grounds of Windmill house. I love these walks. When coming down the hill, we have this beautiful view of rolling hills and more sheep fields. I love the view with the trees turning autumn colors.
Then when we get back in, we go to the tea room, a big closet with a sink. Usually a little grungy and unkept, it is where you start the kettle and make a wonderful cup of hot tea.

Ok, that all sounds very idyllic, and it mostly is. I have grown to love a hot cuppa, to understand why it is so valued in this damp, cloudy, cold country. Even in the middle of the summer, I still was drinking hot tea, because it was still cool during the day - high sixties and low seventies. That is cool for an Alabama girl. I have even learned to like it the way most true English take their tea - no sugar, teabag left in, and milky. That took a while, but since I love to eat a bit of chocolate with my tea, I wanted to learn how to forgo the sugar. And of course, PG tips is the tea of choice. YUM
Cadbury chocolate and a cup of tea. My friend Carol came over a couple of weeks ago and brought Hershey kisses with almonds. I have hidden most of them and am enjoying a couple every night with my last cup. Thanks, Carol!!