Victoria Day

Queen Victoria's portrait in Kensington Palace, London

Today is a Monday, long weekend Holiday here in Canada called Victoria Day. This holiday in the last Monday of May before May 25 is to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday. It is also to celebrate Canada's Royal heritage as our Head of State is the Queen of the United Kingdom  and Canada is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Victoria Day is also the chosen date by the Parliament of Canada to celebrate the Official birthday of the Sovereign.  Here in Canada, we celebrate with a long weekend holiday and some fireworks in the evening. Thank God, our weather this long weekend is a glorious sunny weather! We also have  a special guest here in Canada, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall,  to celebrate both Victoria Day and the present Queen's Diamond Jubilee,

Queen Victoria Square near the Victoria Station in London.
I discovered this while walking in London from Victoria Station to go to Buckingham Palace. I love this square in the middle of  a side street in London which is  located in one of the busiest train station, Victoria Station. Here are beautiful white London Townhouses which must be valued in the Millions of pounds. A very quiet neighbourhood in the middle of London.

A Caption in Kensington Palace written by Queen Victoria: 'They say no Sovereign was more loved than I am.'

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will arrive in Canada today, Monday,  to celebrate both Victoria Day and Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. Photo credit: Toronto Star Newspaper.

Fireworks to celebrate Victoria Day.



Happy Victoria Day to Canada!
Have a Happy  Monday!

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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason

When in London, do not miss Afternoon Tea. It is a tradition in England to take Afternoon Tea. There are numerous hotels and restaurants around London that offer them in different styles. My aunt and I  had Sunday Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason. I love Fortnum and Mason as they are well known in London as the place to purchase their own brand of Teas, Coffees, Cookies, Candies, Chocolates and other food products including cakes and wonderful pastries. I will feature those foods and other products that Fortnum and Mason sell in their one and only store in Piccadilly in several other posts. The store also have five restaurants that I highly recommend. For this visit, we tried the new Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon on the Fourth Floor. I am sharing here my experience of Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason.

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon on the Fourth Floor.

I love the teal and gold colour combination on their China and menu. I also love the Tea China set and tea strainer which are all for sale in the store.  One thing I liked about Fortnum and Mason, is that they encourage the guests to order a different tea for refills. This allow guests to try their different teas. We started with Countess Grey which is a Classic Earl Grey tea with orange bergamot, then we tried the Mango tea and the Vanilla Tea.

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