Putting a vintage spin on afternoon tea
Tea and cake on a bus while soaking up the city was just the ticket for my dad-daughter date, writes Elle Gordon
MY dad and I enjoy a good binge of Grand Designs on Channel 4. Many a pleasant evening has been spent just me, him and Kevin McCloud. But push us beyond the boundaries of an incredibly comfy couch and it’s a little harder to find something we both might have an interest in. He’s 65 and I’m 26 ... a long lunch and a mosey down Grafton Street, a formula that works so divinely for my mother and I, does not hold the same allure for him.
So what to do? Quality time with dad shouldn’t have to be confined by the fact that he does not drink. Trying and failing to imagine him ever joining me to say… ‘I’ll have a Jemmie thanks’, or to some outdoorsy related activity at home in Cavan.
My dad is a man of simple tastes: a fortifying cup of tea, a vintage car show, the ploughing. That’s what you might describe as his scene. Thus began my mission to get Trevor (dad) up to Dublin. Then it hit me — afternoon tea on a vintage bus. What more could the man want?
Karen Nixon is the entrepreneur behind this genius idea. She bought the 1961 Routemaster bus with the idea of creating an afternoon tea experience that is fun and accessible for everyone. Although it’s only been running a few weeks, the feedback has been hugely positive.
“In my day they didn’t have a door.” This was how my darling pops chose to greet our host as we climbed aboard. “Well they didn’t,” he responds, baffled by my hushes. For any true blue vintage vehicle lovers out there ... yes, this has a door, but does that matter? Hopping off whenever you fancy is not a necessity when you are busy befuddling yourself on a wide arrange of tasty treats.
We sat right at the front of the bus which gave us a bird’seye view of the city below. Thankfully, 6ft 4in dad sat quite comfortably in our little section and off we went.
The first thing that hits you as you spin around Dublin munching is a mixture between elation and hilarity. Suddenly any other mode of transport seemed quite laughable. We found ourselves giggling into our sandwiches, thoroughly delighted. This is the life, we smirk.
The scrumptious food comes courtesy of chef Donato Romano. From elegantly cut sandwiches, to chocolate brownie, to red velvet cake and more, it was a feast that did not last long on its dainty tray, thanks to our enthusiastic hoovering of every crumb.
We got chatting to two girls beside us — sisters from Blackrock, who, as it turned out, ‘had connections in Cavan’. Another reason for dad to beam.
There were groups of friends, mums and daughter, the bus’s appeal was apparent as it was brimming with smiling faces, every seat occupied. Two elderly ladies were accommodated without fuss on the lower level of the bus, as they were unable to manage the stairs to the upper deck. My dad was the only man on the bus. Possibly, the boys haven’t caught on to the joy of a cake and a spin, but I am certain that will change.
The bus follows a route through Phoenix Park, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church, Wood Quay, O’Connell Street, Trinity College, Georgian Dublin, St Stephen’s Green and more.
Due to a match that was on that day, there was slight diversion to our route and therefore we did not have an official tour guide indicating historical landmarks as we drove along, but it did not make the trip any less enjoyable. In fact, my dad was relishing being my own personal tour guide.
There was something so cosy about sitting snug as a bug in a bus full of giddy people while the rain lashed and wind whipped outside. Relaxed and happy, we sat back as ‘Pauline’ (that’s the name of the bus) rumbled along back towards our starting point of City Hall.
We hopped off the bus as happy as can be. My dad wondering aloud if he should buy one for when he retires. I smiled and nodded along to his chorus of ‘I could do this you know’. I think that’s what you would call a successful day out.
‘There was something so cosy about sitting in a bus full of giddy people’