We visited Alberton House, a romantic timber mansion with fairy-tale decorative balconies and towers, to partake of tea on the verandah..the girls love ‘high tea’ and this British pastime occurs very rarely here! So, we dressed up, donned gloves and hats and set out!
Sophia partaking of tea
The tea was delicious and served on tiered plates. Each teacup bone china. Last year the Hall ran an appeal for bone china cups and acquired a 1000 of them. They were so pretty!
reclining on the lawns
Historically, for those of you who are interested, and you’ll see how we miss the National Trust, this house began as a farmhouse in 1863 and then expanded to 18 rooms as more children arrived. For New Zealand, this is extraordinarily old!
The sewing room
Girl's bedroom
It was owned by the Kerr Taylors, a leading family in Mount Albert. Mr Kerr Taylor (they added the Kerr because Taylor was a common name!) was important, but his wife more so! His wife Sophia was an outspoken advocate of the vote for women, as well as a singer, gardener and mother of 10.
Balcony
Greg at tea
In its day, Alberton was famous in the 19th century for its balls, hunts, garden parties and music. The girls who inherited were into racing horses!
Girls at the front of the House
Back of Alberton House
Girls at the Entrance
We had lots of compliments for our hats and the Morris dancers turned up and explained this ‘odd, pagan’ English pastime to everyone!
Dining room
Writing desk with quill pen
Tea consisted of layers of pastries and quiches, chocolates and tartleys, asparagus rolls and cakes, scones and sandwiches, all served with pots of tea or coffee.. we were full!
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Beautiful teacups
Girls sat on the roof bench
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Bedroom where 10 children were born
Bathroom with modern claw foot bathtub
Silly moment
1 comment:
That hat was made for you Mrs N.
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