We took a boat trip on the River Thames.
We were in the Commissioner’s launch. It was all very English – or perhaps I should say ‘British’: when we were near the Thames flood barrier we had tea and digestive biscuits. As we sipped our tea we looked up at a glum grey sky. The river, too, was grey – so grey that it might have been moved to hang itself.
The tea was served in beautiful white china cups – with saucers for added elegance.
Note: The Commissioner’s launch, the flag of which features in the photograph, is in the service of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police.
Go Ask Alice 
Your lab has acquired and imported it.