High tea at the Nellie again!

Another fun family gathering was held today at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. M&M arrived from Zurich last night and to celebrate, we all went for high tea in colonial splendour at the pink palace. Whatever made them paint it that colour is beyond me. It's not even a pretty pink, and it appears that the colour matching changed in places, making it a little patchy overall. However, if you are inside, it's not so offensive, and the furnishings and ambience are perfect for the purpose of high tea. A lounge pianist tinkled the ivories in the background and old paintings of the Union-Castle liners brought back childhood memories of voyages to England and back in what were pretty basic ships compared to today's luxurious cruisers, but at the time were the most exciting adventure for us as children.

The tea menu is extensive, and my choice of Forest Fruits was so delicious I could stay off Ceylon forever. Multiple trips to the constantly replenished food table ensured that far too much was consumed and I fear that any weight I may have lost over the last week might have been reabsorbed into the body! But I was not the only one stuffing my face and bewailing the consequences - there were plates that warranted photographs at the table, and the super-slick service whisked away every empty dish so that the evidence was not there for all to see.

In the midst of all this feasting, a wedding was taking place with the ceremony in the gardens and celebratory drinks at the foot of the stairs from the terrace, and so we were treated to the sight of the beautiful bride wearing (according to Marina, who knows about these things!) Ellie Saab, a stunning dress, accompanied by two just as beautiful bridesmaids and about four other attendants ahead of her as she walked down to meet her husband-to-be, who turned out to be almost as beautiful as the bride. Rose petals by the bucketload were liberally scattered over the pair when they returned to the terrace and I took lots and lots of photos of a bunch of people I don't know because it seemed appropriate to record the happy occasion!