The Yukon Teas           Marnie Drury

In the south my idea of a Tea had been egg salad sandwiches and chocolate cake. You cannot imagine those Yukon Teas! Seven or eight different kinds of sandwiches exquisitely served on Crown Derby or Royal Doulton plates, seven or eight kinds of cakes, tarts and cookies, olives, almonds and beautiful napery. Many a young bride had relapses just thinking about giving a tea.

One of my favourite memories is of having dinner at the home of one of the 'pillars' of society. After a sumptuous repast one of the guests quietly asked to be excused in order to powder her nose. The host immediately rose, pushed aside his chair, lifted a trap door to the basement and ushered his guest down to the loo.

That's Yukon for you.