Sorry to be a bit late with this post. Weave just reminded me that Autumn is here and I have a duty to celebrate it.
And what a fabulous autumn day it is today! The sun is out and although there is a hint of a nip in the air, people are walking around in their summer clothes - possibly for the last time this year. I have a hankering to be in woodland searching for mushrooms, but I dread trying to park the car in Bath on a Saturday afternoon. There are still plenty of tourists and they all know that as of 6 tonight they can leave their cars where they want until Monday morning.
From where I sit I can see woodland about 2 miles distant, but walking is painful for me now because I refuse to buy trainers. You know that story. I do have an alternative plan, though. I will go to TK Maxx and buy a bar of Italian soap which is made in Firenze, or Florence if you prefer. From there I will go to the Saturday flea market and look at junk. I haven't done that for a while. I no longer have an irresistible urge to buy fine antique drinking glasses, but I will enjoy browsing.
Then I will go to a little cafe and sit outside drinking coffee and watching people. Well, I will be watching parts of them anyway. Ever since I was told-off by a waitress in Italy for drinking a cappuccino in the afternoon, I have always felt guilty for not ordering an espresso. She said, "Men do not drink coffee with milk after breakfast time", by way of saving me future embarrassment and accusations of effeminacy.
The trouble is that espressos here are usually foul and bitter. I don't know how the Italians make theirs so creamy and smooth, but they do. I have watched them do it and never noticed any little trick. They just stuff the ladle with the same coffee that we use, twist it onto the steam outlet, press a button and within seconds a perfect espresso is in the little cup. They even manage to give it a creamy head - and this is without milk, remember. Down in one, or maybe two, then sit back and feel as though life is worth living again.
I will probably look at the florid 19th century script on the soap wrapper and remember Florence and its bridges as I sniff the Argan scent of it. It is a large, manly bar. Just right for someone who drinks espressos in the afternoon.
The perfume that I wear is from Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella …. The oldest pharmacy in the world that traces its roots back to the Florence of 1221. I bet your soap has a similar fragrance. Italian coffee is the best. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI like the old-style fragrances. I would never buy any perfume which smells edible, whether it is fruity or vanilla or honey or whatever. Soap went out of fashion in favour of liquids, but now I hear it is coming back, so there may be more choice.
DeleteSipping Italian coffee on an Autumn day watching the world on stage makes a nice afternoon. Having pleasantly scented soap or perfume on hand is a must.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have just come back from that. I bought two bars of the soap and - I am almost ashamed to admit it - a cappuccino...
DeleteThe first time I went to Firenze I put my things in my hotel room and went out for a mooch round before it got dark. I found a cafe - I was desperately thirsty after travelling. I just pointed to the first thin I saw on the coffee menu. Espresso. W hen it came it was all of twog mouthfuls!
ReplyDeleteThey usually serve it with a glass of water on the side. I hope they did that for you!
DeleteHow lucky you are to have such wonderful places to wander over this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI feel lucky Yael.
DeleteDear Tom, to celebrate the seasons I always try to do - and autumn makes such a fine feast. The first Hokkaido - soup means for me accepting the arrival of autumn.
ReplyDeleteAs to trainers: "Jump over your shadow, man!", as we say in Germany (I think you say "Bite the bullet"). I am not a huge Bob Dylan-fan, but I like the line "It's just my foolish pride..."
I decided to choose fun (walking in the woods without pain) over style and elegance - as long as the trainers ARE elegant (for me that means small as those the French tennis-players wore, and not these plateau-soles which look like orthopaedic shoe ware. And as men mostly have big feet, use dark ones - these diminish.
I do have big feet. Most shoes - and suits - look better on small people.
DeleteWe have a little basic cafe a couple of miles from Trelawnyd that sells illy coffee
ReplyDeleteBloody lovely
Convenient.
DeleteSorry but English coffee is utter swill. I don't know how they manage it but it's vile. My only possible causes are bad water and a tendency to use stale beans and/or too hot steam both for making the coffee and heating milk.
ReplyDeleteBath is a harsh mistress indeed!
When was the last time you drank coffee in England? I can tell you that things have vastly improved over the last 20 years, to the extent that you cannot move for coffee shops on the average English high street, each one competing with the other to see who can make the best coffee by training the workers to the highest standard of qualified baristas. They just cannot make good espresso, that's all.
DeleteAh but Tom a good espresso is the basis of every coffee. And yeah things were much better in 2018 than 2011 thank goodness!
DeleteGo on, get a decent pair of trainers...or the walking shoes that look trainerish! I know they will look big...my size 9s always do, but it works!!
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to get good coffee..we have found one coffee shop an hour away from here...her secret? Her husband is a Kiwi and taught her how to make good coffee, and they use organic beans...none of that unpleasant aftertaste!
Good coffee is all down to the the roast. I don't believe that organic is any better than non-organic as far as flavour goes. I know people who say that organic wine is delicious and never gives you a hangover. I have drunk some filthy organic wine made by people who are not very good wine-makers, and all wine gives you a hangover if you drink too much.
DeleteAgreed you can have some organic coffees that you wouldn't write home about! And wines!
DeleteMy brother is 6'4" with size 13 feet. The only 'problem' he has is the diffiulty in finding socks. Just buy some comfy shoes!
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound easy. It's not.
DeleteHe never thinks about how he looks!
DeleteI am a slave to fashion...
DeleteComfortable shoes for working and walking don't have to be trainers, as I am sure you know. I hope you enjoyed the flea market and your espresso.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I know.
DeleteI know you know.
DeleteI know you know I know.
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