Five weeks off work would make anyone happy, and I’m no exception. An adventure across the Pacific awaits with tango shoes and a foreign language. Sleeping in, dancing late, discovering a new city with its food, culture and songs, meeting people, having time to think, create, wonder and wander. See you Friday, Buenos Aires!
There’s a part of my heart that is truly Melbournian – the coffee part. I was late to develop a taste for the brown bean, but now I would struggle to live without it. My little machine (the most basic Delonghi) makes me a terrific brew every morning, starting my day with a delicious blend of bitter, fruit and acidity. Espresso is my coffee of choice, but that comes with it’s own risk – poor quality coffee cannot be disguised in a short black. A latte, that’s much easier to pull off, but an A+ espresso is more elusive. Nonetheless, all the more satisfying when I find a good one.
There are, of course, many songs about coffee, and Java Jive is one of my favourites.
This morning my windscreen had a good crust of ice on it, but one of the joys of a frosty morning is the sunny day that follows. I’ve driven an hour south to Camperdown, past sheep grazing in the sunshine as the mist began to rise and the world gradually appeared, clean and crisp. A giant blue sky is muscling its way into the day and by this afternoon the winter sun will be blazing, warming our winter bones. My office this morning is a café on the sunny side of the street with an earl grey tea and comfy chair.
I am always delighted to discover clever design work, especially when it includes coffee. The Telegram Coffee booth is located in the grand and beautifully restored State Buildings in central Perth. I was there late on a Sunday afternoon when the windows were closed, but I enjoyed it as much for what I imagined to be inside the box. My eye was drawn to the wheel handles and the way the whole box seemed to sit there in its allocated space. Although quite unassuming in its demeanour, it seemed to silently ask so many questions: How does it open? Are the wheels just decorative or do they really open the doors? Can you send a coffee telegram? What would I write if I could? (… bring coffee now stop undying love if you do stop …) One day I shall have to return to sample the coffee and solve at least some of the mysteries.
Find out more at telegramcoffee.com.au
