It began last Saturday with a birthday party in park for my niece's step daughters' birthday, which I wrote about.
Tuesday was Ex Sis in Law's hospital visit with brunch and dinner out with her.
Thursday was a brunch catch up with a friend from the country, a former workmate of Ray's.
Friday I took Phyllis to my local shops and he was rather impressed by South Melbourne Market. In the afternoon I decided I needed a new wallet and with a $10 Myer credit, off to town I went. There was drama. Later.
Friday evening was the building's annual Melbourne Cup barbeque and cup sweep. Yes, some days before the event. Can you believe there were uneaten prawns left over and I came home with a very large and lovely baguette.
Sunday is a catch up with with Our Friend from Japan, who is no longer in Japan but will soon return to Japan for a while before her final return home. She will be in company of three friends who I have met but not seen for years.
I don't know if I want to turn back the clock to when Ray was here with me and we understood all of our usual quiet nuances, or if I like my current somewhat chaotic life. I exaggerate. The same happened with Ray. Sometimes we would be very busy socially, and other times not.
The Thursday brunch with interesting in a couple of ways. Of course it was good to see Gazza. We ordered our brunch with coffee. Gazza had finishing eating his ham, cheese and tomato croissant and I had nearly finished my sourdough toast. When our meals were brought, the waiter apologised for our coffee not arriving, but still no coffee. Gazza went to remind staff about the coffee, and still it did not come. Quelle horreur, it eventually arrived in PAPER CUPS. As we paid, staff was apologetic about the coffee delay. Let me give you some vouchers, and she gave each of us a voucher card. Terrific, but not really as it was crap coffee whether it was in a china cup or a paper cup, and we didn't want another, meaning we would not return.
Once outside, I examined the coffee voucher and it was not a free cup, but only 10% off our next cup of coffee. Fuck off Federal Coffee. My toast came came with cold unspreadable butter in a dish. A sachet of cold butter can be quickly warmed under your arm but you can't warm butter in a dish like that. It is not a cheap place and I won't return. I fact it was so bad, I think I will write a Trip Advisor Review.
There was also an amazing conversation at the cafe with a fellow diner, but I'll leave that for later.
Best to have photos in posts. For EC,
and for Cloudia.
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Thank you for the skyscapes. I love both mine and Cloudia's.
ReplyDeleteYou did indeed have a busy social week. Ours was mostly more low key though next weekend and the one after will be busy. Which I am already dreading.
Yet again this post didn't show up in my blog reader. I know you post most days so I went looking. I fear I am missing the posts of other less predictable bloggers.
Yes. Please write that Trip Advisor review. It's only fair that other visitors should know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteFederal Coffee sounds like a place to avoid in future. Bad coffee and bad service deserves a bad review.
ReplyDeleteI love those photos. What a fantastic view.
Lovely pictures. If I ever make it to Australia, I'll be sure not to go to the bad service and coffee place.
ReplyDeleteThe sky is so fabulous
ReplyDeleteI measure the quality of a cafe by its food, seats in the sunshine, polite staff but above all by its coffee. The espresso has to be perfect. You were amazingly patient.
ReplyDeleteCrap coffee and cold butter will ruin any meal, especially an expensive one. Your social life is a real whirlwind, enjoy! I like the pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lousy restaurant experience. YOur photos are terrific, both.
ReplyDeleteYou have had a very full week. I wonder about the wallet drama? Yes, write about that place on Trip Advisor. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I don’t like coffee but need one a day, just to wake me. My daughter and I had a quick coffee recently at Southland, she ordered and paid while I sat down, not realising it’s a Starbucks (the set-up not the traditional massive store, hence I didn’t recognise it). There’s nothing more that I dislike than paper cups, there is no choice of china, I’ll be very aware next time. Out of interest, and I am not making any judgements, am happy and amused observing your new life, what would Ray think (you do not need to answer this). Marie, Cheltenham
ReplyDeleteMarie, he would say as other bloggers have said, it would not be for me, but if you are liking the lads' company, that is ok, and I am pleased and admire you for what you've achieved since I moved on. Oh, and sorry we didn't get rid of stuffs before I died, and you have done well with the big clear out. He always said I was a survivor, and it seems I am.
DeleteThe photos are lovely, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteFancy bringing coffee in a paper cup, I wouldn't have had it. What a shame it wasn't nice coffee. You have certainly been busy socializing, and it sometimes does seem to happen all at once.
I've never thought much about whether butter should be warm or not. It seems the toast should warm it up. But if it's so cold you can't even spread it! Maybe cut off a chunk and let it melt. Best not to go to that place again.
ReplyDeleteI love the hot air balloon and the cloud photographs - quite lovely. Your social life is interesting and varied, even if the refreshments aren't always up to scratch.
ReplyDeleteBusy week all round - bit like a feast or famine….not to sit down relax and breathe. I must say 10% off a cup of coffee is like a slap in the face. 5¢ off $5. I’d be interested to read your review on TA.
ReplyDeleteFabulous balloon photo, just the time of day, the right angle and distance away
Think that should be 50¢. Maths was never my good subject!
DeleteBeing busy, is better than being bored,
ReplyDeleteInteresting isn't it how different the quality of a cup of coffee out can be - and it's not cheap. Recently I thought I was treating a friend to coffee in a hotel. Two young girls were playing barista, lots of tamping, knocking , steam etc. The coffee ( mine a supposed latte, my friends apparently a flat white ) came in paper cups, both were lukewarm, both were 80% tasteless foam. Not much change from 10 quid, why didn't I complain? More fool me.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
You have had a busy week! I'm curious about the wallet story. That balloon photo is terrific!
ReplyDeleteSuch a schedule, Andrew. I wouldn't return to that place either.
ReplyDelete