A country break and Mother's Day

I had a very rare weekend away, well two in a row actually, unheard of!

The most recent occurred on this Mother's Day weekend. Barely settled
from the one before, I had to leave my 2 girls to prepare for the Council
Cleanup, and make a High Tea for me on my return.

After inheriting a silver tea service, a glorious family heirloom, it just had
to be enjoyed. So they cooked up a storm as well as entertaining boyfriends,
and looking after a dog, cat, and 5 chooks.

 Each morning up early to watch the scenery emerge from the mists.

This is the view from the balcony.

 We were in a row of sweet little cabins edged with hedges of Lavender. One morning I had a Blue Fairy Wren help me eat my breakfast crumpet!

 Lots of animal enclosures and aviaries, all very good thought to the habitat of the inhabitants.

 Pigs, goats, dogs, birds, alpacas, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, a baby wallaby, sheep, to name a few.

 The main reason for the weekend away, a 50th of a friend, dining at a very swanky winery in the barrel room. Canapes, then a 3 course sit down meal. Very swanky. The cake was in the shape of a Rolex Watch.

 Our farm stay was at an Alpaca farm. See the cute baby Lucy.

 The beginning of Mother's Day. My classic country shot. Stomp Winery. Near to this another  farm, with gorgeous farm dogs, an Olive Farm. The majestic Yellow Rock in the distance. We had wood-fired pizza there, with a glass of wine. A gallery had a great Arthur Boyd artwork.

 Went home to this absolutely fabulous High Tea, my gift for Mother's Day.

 Flowers, and nearly every type of treat imaginable!

Cinnamon scrolls, date scones, cream and jam, ribbon sandwiches, date truffles, pomegranate drink, tea, meringues, special filled meringues with lemon butter, pretty decorations.

Pretty tulips and jonquils. White Wedgewood cups, lace, contemporary, vintage.

For the final flourish a meringue dragonfly, amazing!

What I forgot to get a shot of, as the table setting and food was sooo amazing, was the tea service, the reason for inspiring the whole thing in the first place. So here is a file shot. It is early last century, 

inherited from maternal relatives, and although the design looks Art Nouveau, 

it is too early for that - might be Victorian? More research needed. 

It is shown here before polishing, but it has come up beautifully.

The design features lovely leaves on long curving stems, and buds, with intricate little detailed tops.