The Grim's Dyke
Ok I'll try and do a few updates over the next few days. Here is all the way back to July. I went on this lovely evening to a hotel called The Grim's Dyke. It is a hotel formally owned by Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. They wrote a number of famous opera/musicals. Gilbert died on the property while trying to rescue a woman from drowning in the pond. I did a little stalking of the Stanmore church cemetery and found that Gilbert is buried there as well. A woman who was also in the church ruins pointed it out to me. You don't really look for things like that in your local community but there it was. The Grim's Dyke has been used as a set for films and television in the 1960s and 70s. (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Saint, The Avengers). It looks like a great place for a film.
They had a croquet lawn and beautiful roses and lots of champagne. There were waitresses carrying around lovely silver trays of fancy hors d'œuvres. I find that very fancy snacks are either really delicious little tidbits or very gross. They had both varieties there. That night there were complimentary subraging opportunities. This involves cutting the top of the champagne bottle off with a sword or saber. I didn't want to because I was sure it would shatter everywhere and we would all be covered in glass and booze. But I did it and it was great! It just cut right off easily and smoothly. The dinner was also fabulous. I had a tuna steak and a seasoned and roasted tomato which I normally wouldn't have gone for but it was all delicious. We went out with a very small group of co-workers right in the middle of the musical which was a nice break. I was pretty stressed out at that time and champagne did a lot to ease that tension. We just laughed and enjoyed a warm summer evening in good company. It was such a treat.

These first few pictures are of the grounds. The inside of the building is like a big old house. It is exactly what my idea of a lovely country hotel should be. You could host a good murder mystery party there. It is very close to the school I work at and where Caroline lives so we have said we will go back for a meal.
This was the hors d'œuvre I didn't like. That pumpernickel at the bottom was all soggy. I think I am just not accustom to fancy food like cavier so when I do have it I don't really enjoy it. I did enjoy the fig and blue cheese ones though.
This is the man giving me instructions before I cut the cork off. I am very worried at this point but trying not to show it.

Then - Success!