etcetera ... London calling

Rewind time.  By way of explanation for the absence of posts in the past two months, I've been overseas for a wee while. Back to Edinburgh for a fabulous home visit and walk, walk, walk the city streets. Loved it, even though we went mid-summer and the weather was similar to Auckland's winter. Never mind, any sunshine we get is always a bonus. Similar stuff in Dublin visiting Bill's family. It was only when we reached Whitchurch village in Buckinghamshire, England that the temperature upped a bit - but the shorts stayed in the suitcase!

It was while we were at Bill's sister's that we took a day trip to London on the train. Something we do each time we visit. I've been encouraged to do a post on this cafe by a friend who wants to look it up next time she's in London. Happy to recommend. 

We were fortunate indeed to come across The Black Penny cafe (or coffee house, as they call it) as I was just about to lose it with caffeine withdrawal symptoms (sad, I know). We'd ditched the plan to have coffee first to take advantage of a quieter moment at the nearby Sir John Soane museum (more on that below). I instinctively knew the coffee would be good (after a rather hit and miss sampling in the UK) and it was. That and one look at the salads and I wasn't going anywhere else. 

I thought we were in for a bit of a wait as the place was bustling but luckily we got seated in the back room right away.  A large communal table filled the room which had that lovely mix of modern and old with exposed brickwork, wooden panelling and unusual lights, plus a few books to keep this bibliophile happy! 

The food was the star though. Not surprisingly I chose the option of a selection of salads which made me feel virtuous and were just lovely. The other two had generous portions of slow braised chicken legs with roasted fennel, sumac, burnt lemon and feta and proclaimed them delicious. Around our communal table I heard nothing but praise for the food. As much as I wanted to try the cakes or dessert, I was plenty full. If you find yourself in the Bloomsbury/Covent Garden area, go there!

And whilst you are in the area you'd be well advised to pay a visit to the Sir John Soane museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields.  It had been on my TO DO list for years. I wasn't aware of it when I lived in London (even though it was only a short walk from where I worked). Funnily enough, while telling sister-in-law about it, I discovered an article on it in one of those homes and gardens magazines in her house and then found out she'd already been there. Thankfully she was happy to return. Over the years it has gone from being a relative unknown to a must do on the tourist schedule. A mesmerizing and eclectic collection of art, architecture and curiosities, with lots of little surprises, you simply must go! It's unique.

etcetera ... fabulous Fridays

I work 4 days a week so when Fridays come around, I try to do something special.  Now that may mean catching up with a friend, going to a movie or sampling some of the cafes that keep on opening up in Auckland.  It seems that every week there is a new café or restaurant, or two or three, on the scene.  How do they all survive?

Last Friday, although strictly speaking it was last week’s Friday, not yesterday (confused?), I had such a lovely day where everything turned out just the way I’d want.

First up I headed for coffee and cake at L’Oeuf in Mt Albert.  I must be one of the few who haven’t had un oeuf at L’Oeuf (an egg for those without the benefit of my school taught French), mainly because I seldom go out for breakfast or brunch – I will have had my breakfast early and by mid-morning I am more than ready for a coffee, especially after a drive into the city.  Anyhow, in my book, cake and coffee go so much better than eggs and coffee (just saying…). 

Do you ever get that anxious feeling when you step inside somewhere new?  I do, but at L’Oeuf I was instantly made to feel genuinely welcome by the waitstaff. So much so that after all their warm attention I practically skipped out the door.  Great service, guys. 

I chose this delicious pear and cardamom cake, along with a latte.  The waitress placed them in front of me and explained they had a new barista so if anything was not up to scratch I was to let them know (it was all perfect).  Later she came by to check and to have a little chat.

Now the really annoying thing is that I used to live close to this cafe and now I don’t.  I sat there wishing L’Oeuf had been around then.  C’est la vie.

Moving on and a short drive to the Capitol Cinema to see Wadjda.  This is a little gem of a movie about a spirited young girl (played so captivatingly by Waad Mohammed that it’s almost like watching a documentary) who comes up with some ingenuous ways to save money for a bike she covets.  As we follow her daily life and attendance at a strict religious school, the film gently illustrates the restrictions of women and children in Saudi Arabia. Directed by a female Saudi Arabian, the movie explores the issues simply and effectively and in a way that leaves you with hope.  My feminist hackles rose several times but I was heartened a few days later hearing a radio movie reviewer say that since the film’s release, bicycle areas had been introduced in Saudi Arabia for young girls to use (one of the problems Wadjda faced was that it wasn’t seemly for girls to ride bikes in public).

The last thing to put a smile on my face before leaving the city behind was missing all the normal Friday afternoon traffic and cruising home with no delays.  Bliss.