Tea Party on a Stick (how to Host a Tea Party in a Tree)

We took this opportunity to try out something we've been planning for a while.
We will share how we put not only our favourite consumable, but also our preferred method of consumption, on a stick.

And, not to be out-done, we chose a particularly large stick.

A huge thankyou and congratulations to Ben and Richard, our super-enthusiastic tree-climbing photographers!

Step 1: Gathering Resources

Essentials:
-tea, cups, pot, hot water (thermos/camping stove)
-guests, reasonable fitness

Optional extras:
-hanging stove and windbreak, milk, sugar, scones, butter/jam, hand towel, bags/cases, rope, silly outfits, shoes, picnic blanket, planks, chairs, table, cucumber sandwiches
-photographers, extreme fitness

Step 2: Finding the Perfect Tree

I had seen some very promising trees at the edge of a park near the city. We circled the park and found this incredible Morton Bay Fig at the other end.

Its vast, dense foliage provided a surprising level of privacy. It was difficult to keep from giggling at the blissfully-unaware passers-by.

Step 3: Set-up

Getting into the tree
There is absolutely no right way to do this.
The lowest branch was only just within reach.

Getting the equipment into the tree
We brought ropes for this, but we didn't need them.
Luckily the tree had generous dumping-space.

Arranging the equipment
We found a great spot (the only one) to hang our stove, but we were really quite spread-out and everything had to be passed along one item at a time.

Step 4: The Strongest Cup of Irish Breakfast I Ever Tasted.

The logistics of serving tea to guests spread across a large tree is really quite a revelation; one begins to fully appreciate the process. It became much more of a tea ceremony.

To simplify things, we brewed loose leaf tea in the one pot and strained the leaves as it was poured. The person furthest from the stove was obliged to take the first cup (but first he had to change his camera battery). The second-furthest person was also closest to the tea case, so he had to be served third, after the person between us who was passing me everything. The last two cups had to be given to me at the same time so i could pour mine after the third had been served. The milk was in a sealed bottle so it was much easier to juggle. One sachet of sugar was shared over 3 metres.

Because the cups were served one-at-a-time, the tea had to go into the pot at the very last minute, and even then, by the time i poured the last cup, it was the fruitiest, most bitter cup of Irish Breakfast I've ever enjoyed.

Step 5: Everything Tastes Better With Company.. in Trees

..with jam!
The (dewalt) tea case doubled as a durable serving table.
Always cook more scones than you can eat!
Actually, we decided that wasn't such a good idea. We stopped at half, wary of climbing around on a full stomach.