Tea and a Shrine
Tea and a Shrine…..does that sound like things I would love, or what? Ha ha.
One day, my dear friend, Barbara, drove us to “Mrs. Bell’s Tea House” in Chatham, Ontario. We went to her old location 2 years ago and this year the new location was finally renovated and ready for guests once again.
It looked like it was in a bit of a barn shaped building and it had a ramp. So, in we went and it was lovely.
The high tea itself wasn’t the best one we’ve ever had (nothing beats the old “Annabelle’s”) but it was pretty good and the room had many cute things for sale as these places often do.
We both found some wee treasures like cards, keychains, and earrings as examples, and as if the high tea wasn’t enough we were given the freshest piece of cake to celebrate the “birthday” of one their mascots…ha ha. Oh! I must personally give an honourable mention to the brand new, accessible bathroom with the heavy duty door and all the necessary bars and emergency call buttons. Well done, Mrs. Bell!
After lunch we headed out to Merlin to check out the “Our Lady of the Rosary Shrine”. Although it was a very hot day the ‘forest walk’ gave plenty of shade and a beautiful breeze which kept the bugs away for the most part.
There were 5 different walks that included statues and corresponding explainatary plaques.
The paths were cushy mulch but well cared for enough that I did not get any in my sandals. Most of the smaller statues were in plexiglass boxes. I especially enjoyed all the names for Our Lady from around the world.
There were also the Stations of the Cross but we had already prayed our rosaries that day. We continued on to the “Approved Apparitions” and “The Saints”…..
I love reading about miracles and what the saints are associated with….like “St.Joseph: Patron Saint of Carpenters”, etc.
The flowers were lovely too and since I was born May 13th I feel especially close to “Our Lady of Fatima” who appeared for the first time on that date to 3 children in Portugal. We also saw a beautiful place for Outdoor mass.
Thanks for another lovely day, Barb. Till we meet up again…….