“Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I can't take more."
Marching towards spring, a good bag for holidays, a swimsuit to pack in it, and some tea...
If you have a tree shaped space in your life, get planting. A damson or a Mirabelle plum will give you joy from right now as the early foam of these fruit trees begin to blossom with delicate precision that cuts through the sludge of winter damp and brings the frisson of possibility that we all yearn for.
If you don’t have room or the inclination to plant trees, don’t give up on blooms altogether. Buying a spray or two of mimosa will add instant zest to your home and the fragile powdery scent will transport you (just mentally) to Italy in a heart beat.
To be actually transported physically is the goal, and preparing for a holiday is the next best thing to being on one. This is a really good suitcase, and mine has survived several years now of being humped across the runways of Europe and up the broken escalators of Great Britain. There is one in the July range with a phone charger built in, and given the world of delayed flights, this is a very good idea.
For the packing, this swimsuit and hat combo seems just the ticket. A hat being a wise addition for the cold seas of spring time. They are from Pearl Lowe who has a great online shop with lots of cute and funny but also stylish items. If it’s a bit loud for you, worry not, there are more discreet options, and I would also suggest the addition of a great big bobbly cardigan to put on top. I am not a fan of the dry robe myself, as it’s so unflattering and also made of synthetic fabrics. I prefer the dragging on of some scratchy wool across burning cold skin and the slow damp return to slightly fetid warmth that real wool brings. Call me weird, but call any Hayley Menzies cardigan GLAM. The one I have used to illustrate my point is far from discreet, but it’s warm and has tassels to bring a note of much needed frivolity to proceedings.
I have just been in Egypt, where all the above mentioned items were essentials, (with the possible exception of the damson tree). We sailed down the Nile at an elegant slow glide, allowing us to see water buffalo, camels and sunsets along the way. We toyed with dabbles in sketch books - my attempts are gruntingly feeble…. (See below), I wonder if anyone can see the water buffalo cunningly camouflaged here?
Creating of fine art was put to one side with huge reluctance, and after that I read a remarkable novel, ‘Martyr!’ by the terrific young talent Kaveh Akbar. Here is, the copy my son lent me, sitting on my cabin windowsill looking out at the early morning Nile with a cuppa tea. Words, for now, fail me.
I will be writing more about both the trip and this book as soon as my mind is free from my current Bob the Builder state.
In the mean time, and in the spirit of life among builders - I give you a tea tip. The brand SPILL was mentioned a couple of times via a Substack or two, and I thought I would give it a try. I did, and it was DELICIOUS. I can now wholeheartedly recommend. The brand is tiny, and determined to make a difference to the lives of the tea producers in Rwanda with whom they work. A tea subscription must be one of the nicest gifts you can give. Nudge nudge.
Until next time,
xxx Love Raffaella