Dear Sun Spots: I have an English friend who is yearning for scones with clotted cream. She has found wonderful scones at a small bakery but can’t find clotted cream. From her description, this is sweet cream that is very thick, much like the top teaspoon on the nonhomogonized bottles of milk that I remember as a child. Any help? Thanks. – Diana Pratt, Rumford.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, consider contacting:

Bridgham and Cook, Ltd., British Gifts & Groceries, 116 Main St., Freeport, ME 04032, (1-800-UK BUYER), or 865-1040. They carry a 6-oz. jar of Double Devon Clotted Cream for $6.25. They are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Easter. And, if you happen to be seeking any Easter eggs for those children and grandchildren, check out Bridgham who also carry several varieties, including Crunchie, Smartie and Dairy Milk eggs.

Another option is British Delights at 63 Power Road Unit 2, Westford, MA 01886, 978-392-0077. You can also contact them via e-mail at sales@britishdelights.com or online at www.britishdelights.com. They advertise a 5.6-oz jar of Coombe Abbey clotted cream for $5.25 a jar.

In the meantime, your friend might also enjoy checking out www.teaguide.net/tearoomsmaine.htm, which lists several tea rooms here in Maine. Your friend might also be interested in checking out the tea offerings at the McLaughlin Garden, 97 Main St., South Paris, www.mclaughlingarden.org, 743-8820.

Executive Director Michael Desplaines said The McLaughlin Cafe holds several tea events during the year. They hold an annual Witches’ Brew in October and recently held a preview tea for their new Vera Bradley line being sold at their store. Desplaines notes that some tea parties are also held in the summer. Previous teas have included American Girl dolls and Velveteen Rabbit themed parties. You may always book a private tea party for yourself and your guests in the barn, or rent out the garden and barn should you decide to entertain with a High Tea. The McLaughlin Cafe is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and serves Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starting Mother’s Day weekend, it will be open seven days a week. The garden opens for the season on May 1.

Sun Spots hopes your friend will enjoy the following recipe for scones previously published here in 2004 to enjoy with her newly purchased clotted cream:

White Soda Scones by Darina Allen, posted online at www.Irishabroad.com: Ingredients: 1 pound (450 grams/3¼ cups) white flour, preferably unbleached; ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda; sour milk or buttermilk to mix, about 12 to 14 fluid ounces (350 to 412 milliliters) approximately. Method: First fully preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Sieve the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center. Pour most of the milk in at once. Using one hand, mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl, adding more milk if necessary. The dough should be softish, not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn it out onto a well-floured working surface. Wash and dry your hands. Knead lightly for a second, just enough to tidy it up, flip over. Flatten the dough into a round that is 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) deep approximately. Cut into scones. Cook for 20 minutes approximately in a hot oven.

Dear Sun Spots: You have helped before, and I need your help again. I asked you to please print an inquiry that my mother was lonely and needed mail. Well she has received a lot of mail and still does. She has received more than 1,000 cards. My problem is that we have moved, and I need people to continue writing to her at her new address. I can’t respond individually to all those who’ve corresponded with her. I am very grateful to all those readers and writers. You help make her day bearable. She will be 89 on July 3! Her new address is Blanche Clavet, 69 Louise St., Auburn, ME 04210. Thank you and God bless you all. – Lucille Gooldrup, daughter, No Town.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.