t:. toastcrumbs

Stuck inside at work today - its a Saturday, and it’s probably the last sunny day this year for the UK! However, did get a dose of sunshine as I popped out to Flat White.

While I was waiting for a flat white for our security guy and my usual (a triple espresso), Cam treated me to an espresso with a drop of a special tobacco infused syrup that he had sourced from the local Cuban restaurant and bar (Floradita). The syrup was apparently from a process/machine developed by Heston Blumenthal (the Michelin star chef who does bizarre taste combinations like snail porridge and bacon and egg icecream - I found an old Guardian article where he mentions discovering an old recipe from the time of fascinating recipe that dates back to the time of Sir Walter Raleigh).

The result: a normal tasting espresso at first, then very sweet at the bottom of the glass. The tobacco flavour was subtle, but noticeable. Cam pointed out that its like “tasting the smell” of the tobacco. He said I’d get a bit of a hit from it - I felt something but wasn’t sure what was caffeine and what was tobacco!

ps. will try and get my own photo soon - have nicked this one of Cam off the Flat White website

Elmer just sent me a link to this site (Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Center Inc.) which shows a tui tinging and talking. Its name is Woof Woof and according to the site, “he sings and with a little bit of patience he talks back to you too”. The videos show him doing stuff like singing “Pop Goes The Weasel” and “Come up here, quick Do you want a swim?”. See videos here.

I’ve just created a new set for the twilight photos I’ve been uploading recently. Long hours of daylight in Summer means that I’ve been around to spot lots of lovely twilights in London - the deep blue skies are a lovely contrast to the city lights. You can view the set here.