The Moon Under Water

While in St. Petersburg for Convention earlier this year we came across a wonderful restaurant serving British and colonial food called The Moon Under Water.  I thought the story behind the name was an interesting part of British history.

Here is the story from their menus and website.

The name came into being following the activities of Recruiting Sergeants in the 18th Century who spent their time visiting taverns in order to 'press' people into joining the British Army.  Many of the methods were extremely dubious and they would go to any length in order to get men to sign up since their pay depended on it.  Once the man had accepted the "Queens Shilling" by fair means or foul, he was deemed to have become a recruit.  On entering the tavern a Recruiting Sergeant would very often sit next to some drunken oaf and secretly drop the Queens shilling into the man's pewter tankard.  When the drunkard lifted the tankard and the ale touched his lips that was it!  He was regarded as having accepted the Queen's shilling and was in the British Army.  He was carted off for service in some far off campaign and almost certain death.

As means of countering the practice, the glass bottomed pewter tankard was introduced so that if a customer was in the least bit suspicious as to whether a coin had been dropped into his tankard, he could hold it up and look underneath before taking a drink.  The sight of the Queen's shilling under the ale with froth above was likened to that of 'the moon under water'.

The Mission

 I wrote this piece back in 2003 but the sentiment still carries today.  Hope you enjoy!

The Mission

Time was running out on my trip home to England.  I had spent time with family and friends and had eaten vast amounts of chip shop chips and Cadburys chocolate as my ever-tightening waistband attested too.  Yet, I was still left with one important mission to complete before my return to the US and today was the day!

I walked the familiar half-mile up town towards the high street, a trip I had taken for granted as a child when I would complain loudly every step of the way wishing my Mum would fork out the 10 pence for the noisy bus to take us around the estate.  Now, whenever I go home, I look forward to that walk and gladly leave the car behind.  Even in the drizzling rain that seems to float up under my umbrella, I am not deterred from making this journey.

The high street is bustling with people, intent on getting the weeks shopping in and wondering what to make for Sunday dinner.  Friends greet each other as they pass by asking about loved ones and sharing who has the best veg on sale at the market this week. Ahead I see my target, a shop window, opaque with steam and many shadows moving purposefully inside.  I push the door open with anticipation; I have been waiting for this for years.

There, in the glass and chrome cases, are a dieter’s nightmares.  Every shape, size and color, laid in perfect rows upon wax paper waiting for the silver tongs to take them away.  My mouth starts watering as the sweet sugary air fills my nostrils making my stomach say yum! Decisions, decisions, so hard to make one!  Finally, the smooth thick brown topping on a delicate tanned pastry calls my name and I decide on the chocolate éclair. 

Complete with a pot of tea for one, a thick, chipped white teacup and saucer and my prize I make my way to a table in the corner.  A splash of milk and the steaming strong tea is poured into my cup.  And now for the moment I have been waiting for.  Inhaling in the sweet aroma as I lift the éclair, I take that all-important first bite.  Snow white cream oozes out the sides plopping on to the tea plate.  My mouth is filled with a blissful velvet sweetness that only this combination of ingredients brings. My eyes are half-closed in pure delight; every bite is heaven. Between sips of tea the éclair disappears at an alarming speed until I am only left with chocolate covered fingers. A satisfactory sigh escapes me and my mission is complete.

Convention 2012

What a great time was had by all! 

The weather decided to rain most of the time we were in St. Petersburg, Florida but in true British spirit it did not keep us down.  Just the hugs of members seeing one another again after two years and hugs meeting new friends was enough to generate inner sunshine throughout.

Thursday most members arrived and headed to registration and to the wonderful sales tables...who can resist a yummy Cadburys bar or Union Jack tote bag!  That evening we all met for hospitality night that included dancing, a jubilee celebration and wonderful skits.

Friday some headed out on the organized trips around St. Petersburg and others took their own outings to the pier and local attractions.  My husband and son had gone to ride the scary roller coasters at Busch Gardens so I had an enjoyable day visiting the Fine Arts  and  Chilhuly Museums. I also got to chat with a lady in the park feeding the chubbiest little squirrels I have ever seen!

Saturday was more trips for some and also the business meeting for delegates which all went very well.  Then it was time to get dressed up for the banquet.  The parade of flags and bagpiper are always a wonder sight and sound to behold.  Congratulations to our two new life members Maire  and Lorna. 


Sunday and Monday were more rounds of hugs as many friends left for home, already looking forward to the 2014 convention in....Denver Colorado!  Hope to see you all there!

Diamond Jubilee

This year marks the Diamond Jubilee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.  Sixty years as the monarch of is a wonderful achievement, now second only to Queen Victoria who reigned for just a few months shy of 64 years.

I do remember the Silver Jubilee in 1977 when I was 9 years old.  For a months before the celebratory year money was collected each week from houses on several streets around where I lived all in readiness for a huge street party.  Around the corner from me was Coronation Avenue so this was an obvious choice for location.

We had a fancy dress parade in the morning, me as a Spanish Flamenco dancer, my brother as a clown.  A girl dressed up as the Queen won…imagine that J.

After the parade was a kids party tea and then later Coronation Avenue was cleared and tressle tables set up that were soon covered with food and drink and music blared from a neighbours stereo that poked out the living room window.  What a time we had! All the kids were given a Silver Jubilee coin at school which I still have today and will pass along to my kids one day.

There is a great website up right now www.thediamondjubilee.org with all kinds of stories, history and photos for the Diamond Jubilee.

Wherever you are in the world I hope you find time to celebrate this milestone and join me in wishing Her Majesty many more years to come.