Last week on a sunny, summer afternoon, I took time to breathe...to slow down and step back in time. I joined friends for afternoon tea on the lawns of Point Ellice House in Victoria.
We boarded the Harbour Ferry for a tour of the Gorge waterway. This area of Victoria had many beautiful old homes on the water and was popular in the 19th and early 20th century as a swimming hole for Victorians
a waterfront pavilion and swimming dock
Even though it's salt water and connected to the ocean, "the Gorge" is much warmer and ideal for swimming.
We had high tea...delicate little sandwiches, quiche, scones with jam and Devon cream, trifle, lemon cake and buttery cookies...all very British, all very Victorian and all very yummy. (pinkies extended ladies!)
Feeling stuffed and satisfied, we spotted the croquet set sitting in an old wheelbarrow on the edge of the lawn.
The spirit of Kathleen O'Reilly must have visited us then, as we felt inexplicably drawn to play a genteel game of croquet! (Kathleen was the daughter of the pioneer family who lived here in the mid 1800's. She had a passion for the game and played it often with friends and family, on this very same lawn.)
After a tour of Point Ellice House...
...immersing ourselves in the history of the period
and enjoying the lovely flowers from the gardens...
..we wandered back down to the dock to bask in the sunshine until the harbour ferry returned to take us home. It was a sweet afternoon of history and nostalgia.
