This was our
first stop
and
the staff
foreshadowed
the welcome
we photogs
received.

"Please,"
they said, "sir,
may we have some
more ....


photos taken?"

Birds always
find a quiet
place to nest,

except
the ones
of Dickens Days.

Those are rollicking
days
for any
good bird!

Against the
trees
so brightly
lit

even this woman's
shadow

out does
the lollipop
on the wall.

Kids were wanting
that in hand!

The Choir
sang
but this
choral crew
stood watch
silently,

but it'll
be our
shared
secret.

They were fabulous.

Just a touch
of
blue
brings the
sense of hope
to life,

if you can
take life
lightly
and
with humour.

                                                           
Perfect poverty
now
has a face
in fiction,

and
in Carlyle
for
Dickens Days.

Whoever you are
at High Tea
you become
an aristocrat
of high society

at least from
the hat up.

                                                        
For High Tea
everyone is asked

to take
an off the wall hat
on their heads
to the table
with them.

Which makes it
an interesting Tea
indeed.

                                                        
She was mopping
when we arrived,
but she
grabbed her
hat
for the photo.

And smiled
the whole time
we interrupted
the A&W workflow
plan for
more than a minute.

                                                        
There is something
to smiles
that just speaks
miles of hope.

That's what
High Tea
does
for
people.

Good old
popcorn
at
the
theatre,

What the dickens
were they
thinking?

We wouldn't notice
how good it was?

At Fezziwigs
the crowds
gathered
for
entertainment
and
the door
was well
guarded

ensuring everyone
registered!

There's nothing
quite
like it:

Being grumpy
beyond
reason
and
cause.

And then there's
causing others
to become
grumpy!

                                                        
Scrooge
certainly
does
put a
damper
on
the
smiling
fun!

                                                           
The four
characters of
Carlyle
arrived
for a take

so we obliged!

                                                        
When a child
gives you
this kind of a
look

as a photog
one better
capture,
share,
and save it.
Precious.

Quiet
determination
and
focus
helps one
sip
period
displaced
drinks.

Better that
than period
appropriate ale.

That would be old.

High Tea
does make
some
demands on
the guests.

Like enjoying
oneself
to the root.

Just
found
you
in
the
PINK!

At Dickens Days

but it was
almost night.

                                                        
The kids
were having
so much fun
that I had
to ask them
to
frown on their
assumed condition.

And that iced
the cake
since they had
no bread.