Tea & Tradition

The view from Hastings House, Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada

Is there a holiday or trip that puts a smile on your face whenever you think about it?

I feel immensely grateful whenever we travel overseas because it can be quite expensive, especially if you take the entire family. Living on this side of the pond, there are fewer countries to explore. But the one vacation that particularly sticks out in my mind is our trip to Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada.  Who knew what a truly wonderful holiday experience would take place just across the northern border?  After spending a few days in Vancouver,  we took the ferry to Salt Spring Island to stay at this beautiful-looking hotel I found online.

While lots of creative web design can make a place look nicer than it is in person, the historical Hastings House Country House Hotel was far better than I could have imagined.  The Manor House and farmhouse used to be the home to an English naval architect who settled on Salt Spring Island from Sussex, England with his bride in the 1930s. I was immediately struck by the lush gardens and scenic water views as we approached the hotel from the long driveway.  And as soon as we checked in, we dropped off our luggage in our charming, beamed rooms on the second floor of the Manor House and took a stroll in the gardens. The entire property was like being in a storybook setting. It was so completely picture perfect!

The gardens at Hastings House Hotel

Time for Tea

However, we watched the time because we knew the hotel offered tea and treats at 3:30 so we quickly returned to the Manor House before it ended at 4:30.  Sure enough, there was hot tea, milk, sugar, plates of scones, biscuits and shortbread waiting for guests in the front room. There was a small sitting area in front of a large, old stone fireplace and a farmhouse table and chairs off to the side.  We sat at the table and savored the hot drink and sweets while taking in our lovely surroundings.

I usually tend to keep to myself, but I couldn’t help but strike up a conversation with an elderly couple who were sitting on a little sofa in front of the fireplace having their afternoon snack.  I asked if this was their first time at the hotel and they replied it was not.  In fact, as we drank our tea together, I learned they were spending the week at the hotel for their anniversary.  They said they come to the hotel every year for their anniversary and this time their children and grandchildren were with them.  I thought what a special tradition this was for them!  The man had a walker sitting next to him while his wife would get up to top off his teacup or collect another scone for the two of them.

I left them alone to drink their tea and gaze out of the large picture window, probably reminiscing with each other about the many times they used to come to the island on their own boat from their home on a neighboring island.  My daughter sat looking bored at her empty, crumble laden plate while my son flicked through photos on my husband’s camera.  It had been a long day since waking up in Vancouver, taking the long Uber ride to the dockyard and traveling to the island.  I wondered if we would ever have a special tradition like this couple’s? Even if we didn’t, I knew for sure this would be a trip that will always make me smile.

Tea and scones at The Hastings House Hotel