The Long and Winding Road (seems faster on a bicycle!)

Me and my coffee adventure! (Physical Evidence- Business Cards)

On the precipice of 50 cafes (48 to be exact!) over the Easter Break I am giving myself time  to sit back and reflect on my 4 month journey (and work out how I am going to get through Good Friday and the days following  without a coffee , hopefully bendigo can deliver the goods! eeek).

Its has been a simple challenge  in principle but  its also been  much much more complex in ways I didn't think really possible for a coffee challenge. Its been an  emotional, mental, spiritual, learning journey and I shouldn't forget fun and very rewarding all the same!
Its hard to really believe a person can fundamentally change in such a short period of time.. I'm not sure if I have changed, but I have certainly altered in some ways. The numbness I have lived with over the past year is slowing being chipped away and I am  feeling things again.. There have been a many a time when the sight of a gorgeous cappuccino  has left me in tears. I don't think it take a genius to know I am not weeping about a coffee... talk about good self therapy (and embarrassing!) !  Its certainly an improvement of where I was  6 months ago where I was tough as a rock... its taken coffee (a stimulant of all things) to chip away at all of that and make me feel like a good person again!

I may have to admit myself to some kind of "caffeine addicts anonymous" for some kind of rehab at the end of the year  (and a thorough detox of caffeine from my body!!) but its all been worth it.. Bring on number 100! 

I am right  on track.. I'm even tracking early... 52 places to go and 36 weeks to do it in! Its very impressive! I just hope I don't finish too early.. I don't want to find another challenge, although I may be able to start revisiting my favorites so far! Speaking of favorite's.. I think I may have had the best coffee so far! I said that a couple of weeks ago about the Brunswick East Project.. and that was amazing, but the coffee I had on Monday was pretty special and I know its a big call but I know what I taste on the day!

With a few precious hours to myself to get some practical things done, mopping and sweeping - done, washing on,  dishwasher stacked and kitchen cleaned it was definitely coffee time!

The day before I hand written all the places I have left to go... this will be carried around with me like a bible and takes less time than going through my phone! There is something therapeutic being able to physically cross each place off my list with a pen! 
 Out of the places left there are alot of places in areas I don't normally venture for any business. Today I decided to try Northcote.. a place that was semi familiar in my Brunswick days. I knew that they had a few good places to try and I was interested to compare them to the rest.

First stop was Penny Farthing Espresso in High St http://pennyfarthingespresso.com/ ... it  isn't hard to see why there is a  bicycle theme here with a marvelous bike sculpture at the entry and  even down to the Barista in his gorgeous Braces, and 1890s get up  including mini handle bar moustache and pencil behind ear...  I happened to be wearing a similar cap to him  that day so maybe I was sending him subliminal single girl messages... he was pretty easy on the eye from memory!!

I sat down at the large communal table filled with guys on their laptops ... (that's got to be my next investment... or an Ipad so i dont look so sneaky getting out my not pad and taking notes.. what a  nerd!)  I was greeted by a friendly waiter and ordered, I looked briefly at the menu and didn't get past the drinks page... when I didn't order food the menu was swiftly taken from my hands... no harm... just more intrigue on the food next time I go.. They are open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and from a little Internet research the menu looks like its worth coming back for..

The 1st winner of the day were the pitcher's of water filled with fresh cucumber... such a simple and classy touch that really made a difference to the experience ..the water was refreshing and oh so very English and elegant! Its inspired me to do the same at home now! Its nice to still get surprised by the little things!

The coffee was made with 5 senses beans on a very impressive Synesso machine... I have tasted 5 senses coffee now a few times this year and it has delivered  stellar coffee each time . My coffee came and it was so elegant, just looking at it was a work of art and I couldn't wait to taste it.... I'm not sure whether it was because I had worked hard and driven far, but this coffee left me speechless, I had no idea what to write! It was Fruity, chocolaty with a rich  creamy finish.. I really think it could be up there with the best I have had so far... and I have had alot in fact probably over 40 high calibre coffee's, so I think that is saying something!! The cafe is stylish and understated, the staff were really friendly and I left feeling very zen! A perfect coffee experience and it was only Monday!!
Ill be revisiting for sure... and telling everyone about it! Next time Ill order a long black ...eek!

Until next time... and I will write about my other Northcote experience!

PS - I am officially entitled to log service leave now!!! Wow I am old!! I might be able to plan an around the world coffee safari! How much fun would that be!!!!!