Visions of Sugarplums in London

There is a country, which I will show you when I get into maps, where the children have everything their own way. It is a most delightful country to live in. The grown-up people are obliged to obey the children, and are never allowed to sit up to supper, except on their birthdays. The children order them to make jam and jelly and marmalade, and tarts and pies and puddings, and all manner of pastry. If they say they won't, they are put in the corner till they do. They are sometimes allowed to have some; but when they have some, they generally have powders given them afterwards.

– Charles Dickens, Holiday Romance

Being a novelist, Dickens may have embellished the truth just a bit. Though desirable, it’s unlikely that an entire country would have the good sense to practice such customs. However, during a recent voyage across the pond, I learned that, within the United Kingdom, at least two existing counties have enacted legislation that ensures the ready availability of all the sweets a demanding constituency of minors could desire. Those counties are known to their inhabitants by the names Fortnum & Mason and Harrod’s. Both localities take Christmas very seriously. Here are some pictures I took:

According to statute, public buildings must be decorated with images from fairy tales.


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

(I didn't know that the Pied Piper had a dog.)


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

The lobbies of government offices have dedicated candy counters,


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

and ceilings covered with fondant.


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

In the counties' banks, Teddies stand guard over deposits made by thrifty, sensible little ones:

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

By law, children are entitled to first pick of all of the following foodstuffs:

Buns, doughnuts, and sweet rolls,

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

figs, currants, raspberries and blueberries (out of season only - adults are permitted fruit in season),

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

blackcurrant and cranberry-topped meat pies,

811d95bb-ca23-4f41-9959-9cedae9af5e7 by Josephine2004, on Flickr

mince pies by the sixpack,

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

and dates of all sizes.

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Children retain exclusive rights to candy, and it is against the law for an adult to purchase chocolate. While some law enforcement officials choose to look the other way when it comes to small amounts of the contraband, most offenders serve jail time for the theft of a Chocolate Santa whether large. . .


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

. . .or small.

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Under the constitution, special rules govern the behavior of adults.

They may wait patiently in line and purchase tea (but they must try to smile).

8f78c2df-e9cd-4e2e-8267-7d8ab9a06749 by Josephine2004, on Flickr

They must try new, scary-looking foods without complaining.

Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

And they must EAT THEIR VEGETABLES!


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Adults can earn favor by acting in ways that assure children of their good intentions. This includes wearing hats that remind children of the happy days of summer boating and fishing. The girl in the left foreground is an official monitor. She seemed pleased with the adults' attire and the fish jumping over their heads.


Untitled by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Grandparents have special privileges, in recognition of their superior understanding of children's needs. They alone among adults possess the right to make Critical Holiday Decisions, such as how to acknowledge the central role of treats in the holiday.

Grandmothers, in their wisdom, know that children are not as concrete as ignorant adults sometimes make them out to be. Children appreciate representations of the things that are most meaningful to them, and in fact, are great connoisseurs of art, appreciating ingenuity, craft and whimsy. The counties' grandmothers are for this reason known for their tradition of fine needlework,


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

beekeeping (according to the revelation of Christopher Robin),


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

and for their role in researching the complexities of marmalade, (though most of their research remains theoretical, there being restrictions on the ethical use of marmalade in empirical research involving subjects over 18 years of age.)


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Elders of a more technical bent apply their professional talents (whether architectural, musical, carnival or veterinary) to devising the season's most popular biscuits and biscuit tins.

For the Labrador lover. . .

photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

the monster enthusiast. . .

photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

the girl who wants to munch along with the music. .

photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

and the boy planning to join to the circus. . . which he (or she) may do without penalty, under the Bill of Rights.

photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

According to custom, the most important decision of the season is which Christmas Pudding and which sugarplum to offer The Children!


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Oops, my mistake! The Constitutions of Harrod's and Fortnum & Mason hold that every child is a Monarch, and as such entitled to All the Sweets of the Realm. Most settle for something more modest, such as this:


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

We are all children once again at the holidays. I wish all LTH-ers a season full of merriment and at least a few treats!

this certainly is eye candy!

I loved, loved your post Josephine. Thank you! You have me even more excited for my trip to London tomorrow! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

And happy holidays (and a great trip) to you Josephine - great post! One question: the very last picture . . . what is that? It almost looks like a fondant decorated cake, but is it?

BR wrote:And happy holidays (and a great trip) to you Josephine - great post! One question: the very last picture . . . what is that? It almost looks like a fondant decorated cake, but is it?

Glad you asked, Brad. That last picture is indeed a miniature version of the fondant decorated cake created for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee visit to Fortnum & Mason.



photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

After all, Fortnum & Mason does serve by appointment to HRH:


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Here is the entrance to F&M. Note the decorative simliarity to the Diamond Jubilee Cake:

Entrance F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

welshie wrote:I loved, loved your post Josephine. Thank you! You have me even more excited for my trip to London tomorrow! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Thanks, welshie, I hope you have a chance to visit at least one of these London food halls.

I chose to have lunch at F&M. Arriving 11-ish I had no problem finding a spot on the 2nd floor at the restaurant that serves ice cream. Though it didn't fit the theme of the post, here are some pics of that repast:

A smoked salmon, shrimp and potato salad with arugula was lightly dressed and tasty:

Salad @ F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

a strawberry sundae - with clouds of real whipped cream - a rarity in the Colonies!

photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Here are some pictures of the second floor, which features table settings and Christmas decorations:

Teapots:

Teapots @ F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Proper picnic hampers:

Proper Hampers @ F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Christmas crackers (super-expensive themed crackers with premium gifts inside):

Xmas Crackers1 F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr


Xmas Crackers 2 F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr


Xmas Crackers 3 @ F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr


London Bus Xmas Ornament by Josephine2004, on Flickr

and the real fondant-topped pudding they had on display:

photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

You can also eat at the Harrod's Food Halls if you arrive very early, as there are but a few counter seats. There is a sushi counter that seemed popular, for instance. I would have enjoyed a bit of roast at the counter spewing a delectable meat perfume, but, as I was unwilling to wait, I settled for one of the currant-topped cold meat pies on the run.

Have fun in London!

Addendum to original post:

In the county of Fortnum & Mason, grownups are allowed certain "treats" on a regular basis. (Children are not tyrants, after all!) These run chiefly to blue cheese, potted fish pastes, and savoury crackers.

One of several gift jars of Stilton:

Stilton by Josephine2004, on Flickr

An assortment of potted fish pastes to be spread on toast. Top shelf: "Gentlemen's Relish" of anchovies, butter, and spices. Bottom shelf: Angler's Relish of smoked mackerel, among others.

Relishes @ Fortnum & Mason by Josephine2004, on Flickr

In spite of their best intentions, the Children-in-Charge cannot resist making fun of the grownups' silly ways, as seen in the cartoon on this cheese biscuit tin. The man in the top hat opines: "Blue veined cheeses demand blue-blooded biscuits."


Cracker Tin @ F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Grandmothers, however, through their special status, receive bouquets of seasonal flowers weekly, along with tiny tastes of marmalade from indulgent grandchildren.


Flowers @ F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Greetings of the season to all!

Great pictures Josephine. I adore Harrods Food Hall and Fortnum and Mason. Both places know how to put on a great show!

Josephine wrote:According to custom, the most important decision of the season is which Christmas Pudding and which sugarplum to offer The Children!


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

I ran across some important information related to the selection of the best pudding:


Aldi trounces F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Waitrose it is - but kudos to Aldi's.

Josephine wrote:

Josephine wrote:According to custom, the most important decision of the season is which Christmas Pudding and which sugarplum to offer The Children!


photo.JPG by Josephine2004, on Flickr

I ran across some important information related to the selection of the best pudding:


Aldi trounces F&M by Josephine2004, on Flickr

Waitrose it is - but kudos to Aldi's.

Bump!

Feeling Christmasy and ready to tuck into the plum pudding I bought at Fortnum and Mason last year. I'll report back with my verdict.

Bumping my old Christmas post. With promises for goodies from Xian and Chengdu and Hong Kong in the New Year!

Josephine wrote:Bumping my old Christmas post. With promises for goodies from Xian and Chengdu and Hong Kong in the New Year!

Based on your past offerings, I look forward to this promise of new delights with great anticipation.

Thanks for an awesome post with beautiful pics!