I just happened to enter into one of those competitions on Facebook, the ones where you comment and share and think to yourself, that was fun but I won't get anything. I always wondered whether anyone actually does win anything but yes they do as I was a winner. I received a lovely selection pack of teabags from Dorset Tea and very nice tea it is too.

These individual wrapped teabags came in a very handy little packet which frankly was that handy I could have carried it around in my handbag, had a flask of hot water as well and just had tea on the go. The packaging is very colourful and fun, very appealing even before you have ripped open the packet. When you do get one of these babies brewed you won't be disappointed, very nice flavours and a great taste to it. 

The selection consisted of herbal, fruit and black tea blends such as:
Pure Green Tea
Green tea with Sunshine Lemon
Dorset Breakfast
Ginger and Sunshine Lemon
Strawberries and Cream
Foraged Fruits
Blackberry Syllabub
Wild about Mint
Cool Camomile
Earl Grey
Earl of Dorset
Golden Blend

That was enough to keep me going for a while, and have enjoyed them all but love the Green Tea with Sunshine Lemon, even the names are cute. Strawberries and Cream was nice warm but would be excellent cooled with some ice especially now we are summer bound and nearing Wimbledon. Yes you can even drink your strawberries and cream now. 

These award winning teas were originally blended from founder Keith Spicer's kitchen in Bournemouth back in 1934 and now carried on within the company Dorset Tea which was created in 2009. Tea blenders Tony Warr and Jimmy Medhora are using their years of expertise to bring you full flavoured teas combined with their love of Dorset, who could resist? I certainly couldn't. 

For all the information on Dorset Tea and for an extensive range of their tea and gift ideas to purchase go to the website at 
www.dorsettea.co.uk 

They also stock their tea at some local supermarkets and you can search your local stockist on the website too.

Give them a go and see what you think. I love trying new teas and that was a real treat and if anyone else wants to send me endless amounts of tea to try just send it along. I will never get bored of tasting tea. 

Thank you for reading and I will be back tomorrow for a bit of Whatever Wednesday.

​Take care.......

I didn't want to write about tea today, It doesn't seem important right at this moment. Nothing does, only the victims of the awful terrorist attack in Manchester. 

I heard about it when the first news reports were coming in yesterday evening when all that was being said at that time were that there had been some fatalities at Manchester Arena after an explosion had been heard. As the night went on the horror unfolded and eventually we were told that 22 people had lost their lives. 

Families who had been enjoying a night out to see Ariana Grande, children and young people doing what they do and having fun, dancing, laughing and getting to see their favourite pop star, their idol. Should have been one of the best nights of their lives but it ended in tragedy.

What kind of person goes to a venue as big as this knowing there are children in there and detonates a bomb because I am really struggling to understand that kind of human being. They're not though are they? Human? To take away innocent lives from people who had only just started living, from people who had plans and so much in life to offer, you would have to be some kind of nasty, cruel individual. 

Our nation again came together, it's what we do best. Where there is brutality, terror, murder and violence there is a bigger force of love, friendship, care and faith. Over the past few hours we have learned of the people who opened their doors for people, offered refreshments, medical teams and the emergency services who gave their help, taxi drivers who offered to take people home free of charge, a homeless man who held a dying woman. These are our heroes, the people who, for me make my heart expand in the knowledge that there are good people and there is hope in this world which is so full of loveliness but can be battered with such cruelty too.

So as we increase the terror alert to it's highest level what can we expect?What does the future hold? We have to put our trust in the powers that be to investigate and turf out these dreadful people and bring them to some sort of justice. I'm not sure there is an appropriate justice though, right at this moment I find it hard not to be angry and wish terrible things on those that do this. That's goes against me as I'm generally a peaceful person. I don't quite understand and would love someone to enlighten me as to how the police know of these people but leave them free to commit these crimes. Shouldn't they stop this before it happens or am I expecting the police and terrorist units to have crystal balls now? 

One thing for sure is that I don't want to know this cowards name or his background, where he came from. Nothing! That's what he is a coward, someone who hides behind a religion, even his fellow murderers have to wear a cover over their face when accepting responsibility. It's pathetic and murderers are all they are. That's all time you get on my post, I have no time for those who do this only for the victims and the true pride of Britain.  

Love has to win through, by us all finding strength to help those in need, teach our children and help them understand that yes, bad things happen in life but it's the love of the people who come together, whatever race, religion or sexual preference that will always shine through. 

My heart goes out to all those involved in last nights atrocity, respect goes out to all who helped, there's a lesson in humanity there and my thoughts go to Ariana Grande. When we hold a party we hold onto some responsibility and there is nothing to be sorry about, it could have happened to any artist in any part of the world, on any night of the year, unfortunately it was on her night. I hope she gets some support too.

To the 22 people may they rest in peace, I light my candle for you......

Stay safe and thank you for being here. 

I popped into another place for a brew and yep a piece of cake. Naughty but nice, very nice in fact. My first visit to Milly May's in Mickleover, Derby.

A lovely welcome and wow, the cakes on display just have your mouth watering straight away. I tried so hard to resist but they had a great selection of gluten free cakes I just had to dive into at least one, for now. I had a millionaires shortbread in the hope in may turn me into a millionaire, is that not what happens? Oh I thought if you ate loads of millionaires shortbread it turns you into a millionaire. Shucks! Someone could have told me. It was very tasty and accompanied by a very nice cup of tea as well. Get the colour of that teapot, it's gorgeous. I thought my green one was bright but never thought of having orange. 

The place is very pretty, giving a nice cosy atmosphere and from what I could tell, a popular place to meet. It is conveniently placed near a local school so if up to me I'd say 'kids, if you want me I'm having a brew in Milly Mays' pop over when you're finished at school!' Not really but I do feel I could take up residence there. They have gluten free cobs or bread rolls depending on where you originate from, so I could have a bacon butty if I wanted one. Yippe!!! A varied menu on offer so plenty to choose from. Overall very impressed and I feel I may well return. 

Milly May's is located at 179 Ladybank Road, Mickleover, Derby. DE3 0QF and they have a Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/millymays/

So please take. look if you require any more information as they have so many photos of their lovely cakes and offerings, they have catering available and the occasional event going on so it's well worth taking a look and I can recommend a visit. You never know, you may catch me there just intravenously hooked up to a tea pot.

I'm beginning to think that may be easier. I might have more tea flowing through me than blood. If I went to 'give blood' they would just end up with a bag full of tea, in fact when the doctor takes my blood pressure all she hears is a kettle boiling instead of my pulse. I'm off to book an appointment with 'tea drinkers anonymous'.  You take care and thanks for reading.....come back tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday, I feel it may feature my other addiction....handbags!!! 

The 'Make a Brew' teapot is out and it's asking a question. If you had the chance to have tea for two for an hour, take advantage of a wowcher voucher offer to the Ritz for afternoon tea. A mix of sandwiches or scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, teacakes and pastries. Did you know they actually have a choice of 18 different loose leaf teas!!! My goodness I would be there all day not just for the afternoon. Who would you take? Could be anyone living or someone who has passed away.

You could even call up Doctor Who and ask him to whisk you away in the Tardis to a place in the past or to a place you imagine the future to be like. Tea with Henry Eighth might be interesting, just for an hour though, wouldn't want to stay too long in case I had my head chopped off. I would quite like tea with John Lennon or George Harrison, get them to pop some lyrics down on a serviette from The Ritz in between a cucumber sandwich and then bring those lyrics back and have a massive number one hit. I'd probably get them to write something Christmassy so that I could just live off the royalties every year. Afternoon tea with Sid Vicious could interesting but I would imagine we would need something stronger than tea but I'd love to tempt him with a fondant fancy and a cup of earl grey .

The thing is by saying anyone living or in death we open our invitation up to absolutely anyone in history, that's quite difficult as there have been so many inspirational people, I would find it very difficult to pick just one. Of course there is always the chance we would love that one last cuppa with our own loved ones lost, I would have loved my nan and grandad to have met my boys. I would have given anything to see my boys faces when my grandad said 'when you going home?' as soon as they turned up, something he always did but we laughed. That one chance eh? 

In reality we can't bring anyone back but we can make the most of the people who surround us now. I recently learnt of the death of someone I spent some of my early days with, some memories I will never forget but I hadn't seen her for years and years. It got me thinking about how important it is to maybe just ask that person you haven't seen for a while to go for a brew, have a natter and catch up.

We can't do it when we go and life is way too short. You don't need The Ritz, just a little tea room and a slice of cake. I love my catch up sessions with my friends and family. It's the best therapy, laughing with friends, make the most of it for tomorrow is never promised but for today you can eat the cake and drink the tea. Cocktails and alcohol brews count as well, anything, just make that call. Even if you haven't spoke for a while or the last time you spoke you said something stupid, good friends and family will forgive. Love shines through. You might have to part with some pride but what's the shame in that? Go on do it!!!

I'll leave you with that little task but thank you for reading, take care for now and I will catch you tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday. 

I was at the East coast seaside resort of Mablethorpe at the weekend. A traditional English seaside place and I've visited many times but this was my first time having a brew at the Sea View Cafe. 

I must have walked past it a million times on the long stretch of beach and not called in. It is situated on Quebec Road (entrance to carpark opposite the cinema) or from the beach it is just beyond the coastguard centre. There is a massive car park in front of the cafe, council run so there is a charge but it is convenient for the beach and the view from there is stunning. You get so many different views of the beach and sea depending on the weather and if you get carried away with being so close to the coastguard centre you could pop the theme tune to Baywatch on, and have a run down to the sea in your red swimming costume. If you feel the need.

The cafe has lovely food and at really reasonable prices. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. A brew of tea for £1 I mean that's just brilliant. I would just go over most weekends and just sit there and drink all their tea for that. What more could you want? A beach, the sea, food, a brew ice creams and plenty of parking. They also have the added seaside shop supplies such as the all important buckets, spades, kites and balls for the kids, so as cafe's go I loved this little haven tucked away there. Well worth a visit if you are that way.

I will be going into more detail as to why I was in Mablethorpe at the weekend, yep I wasn't just on another holiday weekend, I was on a mission but all will be revealed tomorrow on Whatever Wednesday so please come back then.

For now thank you for reading........and take care