Turning the Page: The Healing Power of a Cuppa

The sky has turned cool, misty gray and quite appropriately, I caught myself a lovely cold. Fortunately for me, today consisted of eating a traditional English breakfast and tea, touring the Royal Pavillion, and finishing up with scones and even more warming tea. My throat is feeling significantly better, and I am feeling significantly more British.

First stop was traditional English breakfast at a cafe called Langelee's. I was impressed with their accommodation of us vegetarians, especially given the meat eater plate included a thick slice of bacon, sausage and black pudding a.k.a. blood sausage--yikes no thanks!
The food was tasty, but definitely not my idea of breakfast. I'm a sweet over savory type of girl when it comes to morning food. Shouldn't baked beans accompany watermelon and hot dogs?

Buttered toast, grilled tomato, sauteed mushrooms, vegetarian sausage, hash-brown, baked beans and a fried egg.

Then, full of food and warm tea, we dodged raindrops to the Royal Pavilion for our tour. Built for King George IV in phases between 1787 and 1823, it was made to model Indian style architecture on the outside, with chinoesere decorative style inspired by the Chinese on the inside.

Unfortunately, photography wasn't allowed anywhere inside, so I couldn't document the ornate details of the interior, but it was well worth the trip. Glinting chandeliers, painted dragons, thick carpets, brightly colored wallpaper, and palm tree carvings were in every hall, bedroom and dining room.

We finished the afternoon in an adorable tea shop for traditional English cream tea and scones with jam and clotted cream. YUM! The owner started this eclectic shop with her daughter and another one of her daughters came up with the recipe for their scrumptious scones.