My Left Leg And Back Were Still Very Sore,

the pain was so bad I had to stop and sit at the bus stop on the way to the station,

but it was worth it, as Diana had bought me a Christmas champagne afternoon tea at the Ritz,

we made our way inside,

we were given a choice of teas, after which sandwiches and cakes arrived, 

and of course some champagne, 

we both started with the smoked salmon,

we both enjoyed the sandwiches so much we ordered another tray of them, it was the small things that make all the difference, the tea service, cutlery and presentation,

as we continued on the cakes the scones arrived, 

it was all as I imagined,

 

 Diana poured her tea, 

the dining room was ornately decorated,

'Cheers!', from both of us, 

the cakes were just so nice, 

all hand made on the premises, the chef called round to various tables if you asked to meet him,

another 'Cheers!',

ching-ching!

then 2 things happened,

we started on the cream scones, 

fresh cream and strawberry jam, for myself the only way to eat them open topped!

and as we were eating them a selection of other cakes appeared on a trolly, 

expertly sliced,

black forest gateau, we were full to bursting, after saying hello and goodbye to Lord Farquaad and Lady Penelope of Duloc, it is amazing who you can bump into in the Ritz, we made our way through the hotel,

firstly leaving the dining room,

stopping every now and then, 

to admire the surroundings,

and take a photograph or two,

we did have a plan to go shopping in the big stores in the area, alas it was not to be, my right leg became more painful with every step, I staggered into the nearest bus shelter and took advantage of the seats there, Diana hailed black cab and we went back to the station, 

on the bright side, a small video that Diana made of our afternoon tea, the sad news was that I took an age to walk home from the station, stopping all of the time to try to get over the pain, arriving home it was feet up in no uncertain terms! we spent the evening watching a selection of Lewis and Poirot, after which Diana was off to bed, tomorrow a 04.00AM start, I watched a Have I Got A Bit More News For You, all of the time wondering if I would ever be free of this Sciatica, and with that thought, I too was off to bed.