Tuesday, December 01, 2015

An Afternoon Tea



Several weeks ago, my husband brought home an invitation. It was addressed to him, plus guest. I hope he didn't think too long about his choice of guest, because I really wanted to attend the event. Afternoon tea at the Lieutenant Governor's residence seemed special to me.


This roaring fire was the first sight I saw as I walked up the few stairs to the entrance hallway. Crackling wood threw off welcome heat. Tim and I arrived separately, so I toasted my front and then my back while I waited.

I brought my camera and asked beforehand if photos were permitted. 


The tea was held in the ballroom, large and airy, with a gorgeous view over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. Tall windows topped with stained glass representations of native plants lined two sides of the room. 


Crystal wall sconces glitter between each set of windows. 


Stairs ran up each side of the room to a balcony level. In the rectangular painted panels of darker aqua, the images in the circles are the Pacific Dogwood, our provincial flower.


I think there must have been a party earlier in the week. With balloons. They looked a little incongruous up there on the ceiling for this event. Here they are reflected in the tall (very tall) mirrors behind the stage. 


After a short ceremony to recognize a generous donor to our local Veteran's Care Home, tea was served. Lovely china cups decorated with the provincial coat of arms (also seen in the first photo on the outside of the house) were carefully stacked, ready for tea or coffee. Savory and sweet pastries were delicious accompaniments. 


Someone else came to tea, but she seemed to prefer vegetables over pastries. 
The gardens at Government House are open to the public and I've written a few posts about them, here, and here


As I left, Her Honour's car was parked in the porte-cochère, and I heard someone talking about luggage, so I`m assuming she was off on a trip after the event.

I'm glad I was chosen as the guest for this event. It was inspiring. The person being honoured at this tea was Rudi Hoenson who, as a young man, was imprisoned in the Far East, first in the infamous Changi prison, then taken to Japan. He was just one mile away from the Nagasaki atomic bomb explosion and suffered from radiation sickness. He immigrated to Canada from The Netherlands in 1956. His story is remarkable. The link on his name will take you to a short write up. 

30 comments:

  1. What a memorable event to be able to attend. Love the china!

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  2. Wow! Some tea party eh?!

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  3. I love having high tea at the hotels here that offer it. The event you attended is an extra special tea time. :)

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  4. What an incredible man to survive the war and being a prisoner to becoming quite successful and now giving back in such a big away. Awesome!

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  5. What a wonderful occasion, not only to be there in such a beautiful place, but to honour a very special man.

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  6. Oh that sounds like a lovely venue for a cup of tea!
    Nice too that you were able to take photos and share them with us...
    the deer are a common sight on the grounds and the gardeners have had to erect enclosures and fencing for the roses.
    Hope you are enjoying your week.
    Leslie

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  7. The donor is a remarkable man. Those lifts are going to be wonderful. The LG has a lovely residence...hope that they get the balloons down before she returns. =D

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  8. How nice your husband chose you to attend this event with him. :-) What a neat experience.

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  9. That is a special invitation!

    The residence is beautiful. Funny about the balloons, someone missed them for sure!

    Deanna

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  10. What a beautiful place to go for a nice event like that. I can't believe you saw a deer come up into the shrubbery! Holiday hugs, Diane

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  11. Was there any doubt who your husband's guest would be? :-) I'm glad you were able to take photos, quite the event and a nice way to honour the guest.

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  12. It's wonderful that we have people like Rudi to make such meaningful contributions to help others. That looks like it must have been an amazing tea to attend.

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  13. Thanks for sharing your visit to tea at the Lieutenant Governor's home. I went to the link you shared and read the story of Rudi Hoenson's life and generosity. What a wonderful and selfless man he is! Have a lovely evening.

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  14. Oh Lorrie, how very special for you and your hubby. And thanks for sharing the link to Rudi Hoenson's story. And thanks for the inside glimpse into your wonderful afternoon.

    Wishing you a beautiful rest of the day.
    Brenda
    xox

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  15. What a lovely opportunity to step inside this building. Tea time sounds just perfect.
    Love walking in the gardens here.

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  16. Anonymous5:26 PM

    Lorrie, how delightful! Such a beautiful spot. I think I would be so busy looking around that I'd not finish my tea. Thank you for sharing with us!

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  17. I read about this event in the newspaper. What a man Mr Hoenson is! I'm glad.to hear that you were your husband's chosen guest. It is a treat to visit our Vice-regal Residence!

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  18. I am going to read the write up about him later. What a marvelous opportunity to go and have tea there, Lorrie. I just love that you are able to do that...and for such a meaningful occasion, too. xo Diana

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  19. What an extraordinary event to have been invited to. The honoree sounds like an amazing man and I'm going to go to the link. Everything looked lovely, I so enjoyed the pictures you shared. What excitement!

    Jane x

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  20. What a special treat to attend the tea - and such beautiful surroundings.

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  21. What a perfect setting for afternoon tea, Lorrie.
    Amalia
    xo

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  22. What a lovely man; I am so glad he met his wife after his terrible war experience.
    May it never happen again.
    The tea event sounds very memorable...what a beautiful blue that ballroom is!
    Perhaps ballrooms are often painted blue? Only, my favourite colour of the Farrow and Ball paint range, based on the colours of period properties, used to be called 'Ballroom Blue'. It is supposed to be a 'warm'blue shade, tho' I am not sure there is such a thing!

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  23. Such a nice invitation and what a lovely memory.

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  24. I'm glad that you were a guest at this inspirational tea, too, Lorrie! Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  25. Just a wonderful experience...thanks for taking us (& your camera!) along with you!

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  26. How fabulous for you and the honouree! xx

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  27. Hi Lorrie,

    What a wonderful opportunity. I'm so glad you were able to attend. fab pics.

    xoxo

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  28. What an amazing tea experience!

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  29. Oh how wonderful Lorrie!! I've peeked inside but not been as a guest for tea!! I'm sure it was just lovely.

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  30. Lovely -- so generous of you to share the experience!

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