June 22, 2011

Back to reality!
But breakfast at Lure does wonders to get me through hump day!

June 19, 2011

Sunday morning saw me and my conference companion trek over the bridge from Southbank to inner city Melbourne in search of sustenance before a day of shopping and sight seeing.  The laneway culture in Melbourne is my favourite aspect of the city and I had been highly anticipating breakfast at DeGraves Espresso Bar since my arrival in Victoria several days prior. The experience did not disappoint.  The inside of the cafe is decked out in old cinema pews which means that tables are almost, but not quite, communal.  The wait staff have that look about them that says 'I just came here from my art studio and when I finish work I will be going to an exclusive gallery in a hidden basement, or to some sort of live music performance'.  Food was fresh and the tea was gooood!  And best of all, tea was served with an extra jug of hot water for refills - which means I avoided having to ask for a top up!  You see, some people 'get it'.

In the early afternoon, we headed in to Melbourne airport.  I was well and truly over the cold weather and looking forward to returning to the Sunshine State.  Our flight was late to board (and after the ash clound debacle that had delayed my flight to Melboune by 4 days, I should have been more tolerant of a 20 minute delay), but I wasn't.  When we finally did board, the captain welcomed us to the flight and then proceeded to tell us that the plane was broken and could we all please disembark and head to another gate where another plane would be waiting for us.  Agh - frustrating! 

Sensing an impending internal crisis, I took a detour to the nearest cafe on my way to out new boarding lounge.  After silently raging at the cafe attendant for charging me $3.80 for a not-quite-full takeaway cup of hot water with a teabag hastily thrown in (after the water was poured) I sat down to wait.  As soon as the first warm sip of tea reached my stomache, I felt a wave of calm come over me.  This is the effect that green tea has on me - this is why I love it!

June 18, 2011

The conference finished on a Saturday afternoon at 4pm.  I had hoped to devote the remainder of the afternoon to the quest for, and consumption of, a delicious cup of tea.  However, by the time I had said my goodbyes and wandered back to the apartment, I was exhausted and cold.  The couch in the apartment looked so appealing in the late afternoon sun and so that was where I stayed.  A cup of tea (brewed from a Dilmah teabag) and a magazine proved to be the necessary ingredients for a perfect afternoon.

June 17, 2011

I had to travel to Melbourne for business, but had hoped to indulge in some small pleasures (ideally, fantastic tea served in quirky cafes warmed by wood fires).  Unfortunately it was not to be and all my time was spent at the convention centre - or madly dashing between the conference venue and my accommodation, wishing that I was staying in the Hilton so that stepping outside into the biting cold air was unnecessary.

 The tea served at the conference was from Tea Tonic, which was a nice change from the standard Tetley's offerings.  I managed to pocket a few extra teabags for later.

June 15, 2011

Once again, a fabulous combination of exercise, friends and tea.
This morning you could probably have put grass clippings in a tea pot and I would have been quite happy
(I never claimed to be a tea connoisseur; I just really like it and have some opinions about it).
The blend they serve at Hamptons is infused with jasmine, which isn't my favourite, but this morning it hit just the right spot. 

June 14, 2011

This tea was a special gift from Glasgow. 
There's nothing like thoughtfulness to make something taste wonderfully special!

June 12, 2011

A fine mist of rain had set in, making it a potentially glum Sunday morning.
But it is impossible to be anything but ecstatic when tea is delivered in a teapot like this!
(I really am ecstatic but I try to keep a neutral fascade because it's not really socially acceptable to whoop with joy at the sight of a teapot).
Thankyou to my lovely dining companion for suggesting Ave Cucina!