Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello, how good to see you again. It's bright and sunny and a bit blustery but doesn't it feel like Spring is on its way!

If I was meeting you now, I would lead you arm in arm again to another of our favourite coffee shops. I love the number of independent little places we have here and it is such a joy to show you them all. You are in for a real treat with this one.

I would march with you, heads down against the breeze up the steep cobbled street to the little cafe on the right. We would push open the red door and you would "ahhh" as you entered the sweet little place. I would smile with delight at your reaction. This place is full of artwork and it is a real feast for the eyes.

If you were with me now I would tell you I am ordering something special. A unique thing from this coffee shop. You would probably look at me puzzled but I would tell you to just wait and see. In the meantime I would ask you how you are, how has your week been? Mine has been surprisingly peaceful. I had a very busy, full on week a fortnight ago and because of that the subsequent weeks have been feeling very relaxed in comparison.  I would smile as I told you that the sun is a definite factor in my cheery and happy mood these last two weeks.

You would look up as the shop owner came over holding a big wooden board. He is a lovely man and would probably joke with you as he put the plate in front of us. It's called "pan ooh chocolate". A saucepan full of rich hot chocolate, a chocolate flake and a belgian waffle. Scrummy. As we started to dip the waffle into the pan I would tell you how I am looking forward to these last few weeks of term, that I can't quite believe that there are only three and a half weeks left! I would tell you that the promise of spring is making me so joyful, that and an imminent visit from the boy. Smiling I would ask what has made you happy this week. Often I find it can be the simple little things.

The hot chocolate would be getting dangerously low in the pan! I would look up laughing. We are enjoying this far too much! As usual the conversation would turn to crafts. I would tell you with excitement in my voice that there is a new wool shop in Durham. This could be very dangerous. It sells such lovely wool, really good quality stuff. Whispering I would tell you that I treated myself to some pale grey soft aran wool. I am hoping to knit this up into a pretty and light scarf to tide me through the blustery days. Do you knit? What projects are you working on at the moment?

We would lean back in our chairs, taking a break from all of that chocolate goodness. Speaking of art I would show you a new card I found. It is the work of Rob Ryan. He makes these beautiful and evocative paper cuttings. This was a cheap card but I couldn't bring myself to send it. It's so beautiful. I hope to make some form of a collection of these and maybe frame them one day. I like how whimsical they are. Do you have a favourite artist you look out for?

Ah look, there is a piece of waffle left, go on, you have it! Our conversation would move gently on to home life. I would ask you how you enjoyed half term? I always find it is a funny week. University doesn't have it (our terms are so short anyway) but lots of families come up and visit. It is nice in a way to be able to phone home easily in the day but I think I miss them more when I know they are all in the lounge watching the rugby. How are your housemates? You might ask and I would tell you that they are very well. On Saturday we went for a lovely walk. I will tell you more about it another time but I would mention, my eyes sparkling, that it is something I am looking forward to doing more as the days grow longer. We found a new walk along the river this weekend and the views were something else.

Here we go again, where has the time gone? The plate is empty, the hot chocolate has long disappeared! You look at your watch and I look at mine. We need to head off we know, but it was so good to sit in your company again and just chat. Thank you for taking the time to see me today.

We leave the warm comfort of the little coffee shop, back onto that cobbled road. I am heading right and you are heading left. We hug, my hand raised in goodbye. "Ill see you soon" I call "in just a month" you reply.

If you were having tea with me today, what would you tell me?

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time!