Bettys Tea Room The Fizz Of Luxury : Lady Betty Afternoon Tea

The other week during half term while my husband and son where on a father / son trip I decided to take myself to York . Whilst my trip to York was a jolly as I was doing York on the cheap , I decided I needed to have a fizz of luxury so I booked myself a treat in Betty's tea room. Before all you grammar gurus scream at me that there is no apostrophe in Bettys tea room they explain why here .

Are you all happy now ? then I'll continue .


I went for tea at Bettys at their tea rooms rooms in York at the exquisite Belmont rooms which is like stepping back into the 1920s . When you arrive you have hang your coat on a coat rack just outside the tearooms ( so not throwing it over the back of the chair ) you enter the tea rooms unencumbered  and you are politely shown to your seats by a waitress or waitress .

If you have booked for the champagne tea then you are asked which type of champagne you would like or a Kir Royale cocktail ( I like this cocktail a lot but I feel I need a few more just to make absoteldy sure ! ) 

Did you know that Bettys started in 1919 so that is nearly 100 years of making the most exquisite teas and all this experience has been distilled in the wonderful tea experience Bettys provides today.

The afternoon treat must be booked in advance, and costs £32.95 per person (£39.95 per person with champagne). 

I began with the Bettys tea  from ( their own blend ) , and then the afternoon Darjeeling, a lovely accompaniment to our prawn cocktail starter served with a creamy avocado puree.

This was followed by bite-sized smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill roulade and miniature gala pie with quail eggs — The best things in the world certainly do come in small packages. The salmon tasted so beautifully fresh and the gala pie had a near-perfect crust.

The sandwiches when you first see them you think ' that will never fill me !" but I assure you it will , and you can have as many sandwiches as you wish . And if you wish to drink all the tea in the world you can ! The only think that is not unlimited is the cakes and scones but oh my the choice .

To sit back and relax whilst drinking tea was heaven scent even though I was on my own I wasn't really, there were couples celebrating occasions . Polite nods and quick chats were partaken and it was so very civilsed in the most British of way.

One scone was sultana and the other was Yorkshire Lavender complete with cream and Bettys own jam recipe. I am just getting hungry writing this recap of my half term adventures , oh how I would love a one of their tantalising cakes right now !

Disclosure : I took myself to York without Mr T as he was on a break with our son. yes the tea was expensive but oh my what an experience and one I would very much like to repeat again

HungryHouse Chinese Food Order Review

We all have one of those evenings sometimes when everyone it feels like is running late and you can't possibly juggle loads of teas (3 separate teas in my case )and you want something quick yet easy . But you want a dinner / tea that is worth while and not to be left thinking that really isn't enough or worth my money . 

I don't very often turn to takeaways but when I do I like to order from a company where I know I can choose the type of food I want and read what others think of the place. We all decided all on ordering a Chinese when Mr J and J decided to roll into the house. The thing I like about ordering from HungryHouse is that the website is very easy to negotiate ( whispers there's even an app you can download ~ oooh magic )

You just tap into your postcode ...

And then choose the type of food you want in our case Chinese ..

Our Chinese came to £31 plus 2 (delivery) for 3 people but reality there was food enough for 5 people , now I'm not the best when it comes to food presentation , I mean I think I would have got thrown off the Bake Off tent in the first week due to my shocking talents ! The proof as they say is in the pudding and there were just empty plates at the end of the day resulting in any all empty plates.

What's The Point In A Cat ?

It was last night at approximately 10.14 pm I asked myself this very question.

What's the point of a cat ?

I asked this question to my husband who let Rollie out the door , only  60 seconds later to let the blooming cat back in again, this is after Rollie had shredded the doormat. Poor defenceless doormat , it wasn't a fair fight at all and it sadly is loosing the will to live.

What's the point of a cat ?

I ask myself , what's the point of a cat who won't commit to sitting on your lap ( maybe Mr T who is  the holder of the sacred cat treats ! But instead comes and stares at you from the opposite arm chair ..

You see my point don't you now ?! what's the point in a cat ?

What's the point in a cat who doesn't play with the toys that you've brought it? instead you have to play cat buckeroo instead !

What's the point in a cat whose eyes are constantly staring into your soul at every eye level , you're met with saucers of wonder ...

What's the point in a cat who creates a barrier between you and your kettle , knowing forewell you need that come of tea before you open that sachet of cat foot that will get ignored at ( and the one you've bulk brought at that )

What's the point of a cat who judges you from the outside in ?!

What's the point in a cat ?!

Maybe this is the point of cat ?

Drinks Miniature Christmas Stocking Fillers

As Christmas creeps ever closer ( sorry for mentioning it ) my husband is notoriously difficult to buy for and the one gift he thought he needed ( a miniature drone) just sits in the corner gathering dust.


So what about drinks miniatures an ideal way to gauge what you might like to buy a bigger bottle of and as my husband likes Brandies /Cognacs I thought thank s to 31Dover.com it would be nice from Mt T try Hennessy Xo priced at £15.95 for the miniature.

Maurice Hennessy devised the term “XO” from the words “Extra Old” back in the 19th century. The XO release is now the centrepiece spirit for the house and this delightful miniature is the perfect size to sample one of the world's most-loved cognacs.

100 eaux-de-vie are blended with one another to create the XO, with some of them ageing for as long as 30 years prior to bottling.

Candied fruits complement a punchy, spicy nose that when sipped, morphs into a full-bodied spirit with notes of fruit and cocoa.

Add a dash of water to a room temperature serve to open up the full depth of flavours.

And you can buy a few miantures and have them put into a gift box for your perfect little stocking filler for yourself or a loved one ( over 18 of course ) 

Letter To An Autistic Boy , A Letter To Owen #Autism

You see these letters in social media about the kindness that has happened to those who have Autism or the families of those who have Autistic family members , and you think that will never happen to me. it is almost as if the situation can't or won't happen to you but me assured that it can and it will and it did. Here is the wonderful thing that happened to be on Tuesday the 25th October.




Dear Owen

I was just waiting for my train home.

I was quietly waiting in the heated waiting room on York station just content in my own little world, my phone had just run out and someone else was hogging the only socket in the room. And you know what Owen I am rather glad that the socket was occupied otherwise how would I have known the wonder of you.


I was sat far away from anyone , yet you came to sit next to me you were wearing your ear defenders , you were with your parents and little brother Jonathan. You spoke to me it wasn't quite politically correct


"Hey red neck lady "


I didn't mind , you mum quietly and told you patiently that that wasn't politely , you called me it a few more times and again your mum spoke to you softly that it wasn't polite.


Then you started speaking to me about what you were doing there , what you were there to see , about every train that ever existed in the known universe. I sat and listened and talked back to you , your mum apologised to me I said


"That's Ok I work with an autistic child , I didn't want to presume that your son was autistic "


The mum said that was fine.


She explained to Owen that I worked with a boy like him and he was even more engaging.

The boy told me his name which was Owen and I told him mine which is Claire and we must have spoke for a good hour on and off , which included conversations with his parents and little brother Johnathan.


Owen didn't like the noise of the outside due to his Autism but his delight at the train and the steam trains was a moment in time that will be etched on my memories forever.


I learnt more about myself in that hour that I think I ever have , Thank you Owen .



Thank you for the wonder of #Autism and how it can not be a negative situation to engage with .


I hope you Owen and your family have a wonderful life.


PS I now know more about trains than I ever did before xx