You never can tell
The Coach Hall can be quiet on a Wednesday afternoon in early summer. 3 people arrived and went off on the first tour of the house. A batch of scones was in the oven ‘just in case,’ or to freeze. Just dozing at the till when 14 people all came in together – talking at once and wanting house or garden tickets; asking about tea; the route round the garden; what time we closed. Desperate to fit it all in before they left. “The baking smells good.” Lots of smiling and welcoming and they went off to stroll in the garden or to tour the house on the second tour. The 3 people came back for tea and cake. We chatted. They loved the house and garden. They left. 45 mins later all 14 piled back into the Coach Hall, still talking at once and all asking different questions. What drinks, cakes, which tables, inside, outside? “Can you take my order?” “I just want a drink.” We managed to serve them and they all had some cake but no-one had the lovely warm scones that had tempted them into the tea room in the first place. They went in the freezer! There will always be scones for tea at Fursdon on open days despite the challenges of not knowing how many to cater for. This is the tea room when everyone had left. Better when it is buzzing with visitors!
