Go-Large for Breakfast

I ordered egg and sausage....I don't understand why I got two eggs, two sausages plus two slices of toast with butter and jelly (jam) and bubble and squeak (or something similar). I think it's just because in America (I'm in NYC at the mo) they always want meals 'larger'. But when I wanted egg and sausage that's all I really wanted, honestly it really is. So I had all this extra food, and I was brought up not to leave anything on my plate or I couldn't get down from the table, so I ate it (except the 'grape' jelly). I was really full all day and only had a tiny bit of sushi at 3pm to get me through to dinner.

It made me think that eating a full English breakfast wouldn't be such a bad idea. I didn't loose concentration at all through the day. I didn't need a snack at all (and I was stood looking at chocolate and brownies all day). These miners had it made eating a full English before heading down the pit. I knew northerners had it right.

Don't just book it.....plan it

I'd love to book my years worth of holidays and weekend breaks right now. I am an avid planner and love to plan every detail, I enjoy the research and drooling over the guide books nearly as much as the holiday itself. I like to book restaurants (or at least know where I must not miss), plan days events, museums to check out and those to avoid, day trips (usually involving castles - P's hobby), find areas to shop for food and wine, areas to shop for clothes, book more than one hotel (variation is key), check out the weather, find the best bars....dreaming already. But where to go. I pulled out some holiday books this morning and looked at where I'd been recently. Sooooo many food photos. Here's a few of my favourites.
Of course food/wine/restaurants are the most important parts of the holiday planning. Hence I've not been to Eastern Europe....I'll have to give it a go, if only for the beer!

Not Drinking Coffee

I've been opting for tea rather than coffee for a few months now. I was deluded into thinking I'd loose a few centimeters round my waist (so could fit into new Boden skirt) from cutting out half a pint of semi-skimmed milk 4/5 times a week. It doesn't work so don't bother if you enjoy your coffee.

Coffee is a sad drink in the UK, we just don't really get it right. Having spent a year and a half enjoying the amazing coffee in Australia I now know why they snort at our sad efforts. Toby's, one of the most famous and well regarded coffee shops is where I spent my hard earned dollars. Smooth, rich, dark (and that was just the barista), this is where I learned how to make coffee and how to appreciate it.

When I pop up to Borough market (my old home) I always go to Monmouth Coffee, yes that queue is worth every drop. They don't burn the milk, they don't scald your mouth and it's not too cold, they don't make it too milky, they know what a flat white is, they are simply professional. It takes me back to morning coffee before a days work at the Wine Society, in a slightly edgy part of town, Wooloomooloo. Like drinking velvet, with the sun on your face......Mmm the memories.