Tea Time In Thame By Nicholas Newman

RECENTLY, I had a most interesting day. For the last couple of months it has been increasingly difficult to find, in Oxford, my favourite brand of tea.
I contacted the supplier, who said they would love to help, but their factory had just burnt down the day before! I thought that the fates were against me. But luck was in hand for they suggested that the nearest store likely to have this brand of tea was in the Chiltern town of Thame, home to the Midsommer Murders detective series.

So – I rang the Waitrose Store in Thame, and they managed to find the last few packets of my favourite brand. I told them to hold it for me for collection. Such was my desperate need for my addiction; I went off to Thame at once. At Thame I made my way past fine old Georgian buildings to the Waitrose Store. Their friendly Waitrose staff produced rather crumpled packets of the last of my favourite tea left in Oxfordshire. I was so cheered up to see the tea I had been for so long missing; I began to think how I could enjoy a decent cup of tea, as soon as possible. As luck would have it in this town, famed for being the location of ?Midsommer Murders?, some of my friends lived only a few streets away.

On my mobile I rang them and said since it was midday, could I join them for lunch and celebrate my finding of my favourite beverage with them. They agreed, but asked would I mind buying some sandwiches for us all. I was rather taken aback, that I was the one providing the picnic lunch. I purchased some freshly made delicious beef and venison sandwiches at a nearby store.

Arriving at their Georgian Manor House, I found them in the garden awaiting the provisions, but they did provide some fine wine. During lunch, I noticed what I took to be vultures, flying high above; in fact they were Kites waiting to scavenge for our delicious sandwiches.

Over tea, made from one of the packets I purchased that day, we discussed what else was in the heart of Midsommer Murders country, apart from our favourite detectives. We all agreed that the tea was excellent. My detective work had paid off. Mission accomplished ?Case solved!

Read more from Nicholas by visiting the Oxford Prospects website