Getting Back on Track

I had a really rough period at work for a few weeks and that was enough to shake the enthusiasm out of me for doing the things I wanted to do, running and finding good coffee. Well, I've had a couple of days off and am starting to get back in the swing again. Today, I went for my first run for a couple of weeks and I took it pretty easy. I ran to the bay and back (about 6km) at a slow pace with a break when I got down there to look for dolphins but unfortunately I didn't see any. The last run also took me to the bay, and when I stopped to look for dolphins I thought I was in a luck as a group of people were pointing into the bay. To my amazement the furore was being caused by the sighting of a duck! At least I had a laugh about it on the run back.

To be honest, I had lacked motivation for running. I was tired and found myself making excuses. I think the main problem was there was no goal, and so running was the end in itself and if I couldn't be bothered to run then I wasn't going to do it. So I have set myself a goal. In about 5 weeks I am going to Mildura for a short break, and I intend to run 15km when I'm there. This will equal the longest run I've done, so the aim is to get back to the best fitness I was at in 5 weeks. I will then try to run 20km when I go back to England over Christmas. A good long run will hopefully help to burn off some of the calories that will no doubt piled on me when I see mine and Caroline's families.

Motivation is an important part of life and I have found a lethargy in my life generally. For example, I have not experimented in my reading, drinking, eating or hobby habits and feel as if I've bee in a bit of a rut. While I enjoy having things that I trust and enjoy, it is good to try different things every so often. Just like yesterday when I went to South Melbourne with Caroline to try out a new cafe. If you're walking up Coventry Street on the North side of the market, down a side street there is Chez Dre patisserie and boulangerie. This sounds a bit over the top, and it looks like nothing from the outside. So when you get inside and see the converted warehouse with loads of space, a beautiful open kitchen layout and a great serving display with the most mouth watering looking cakes, you just can't believe your luck. I had a long black (sweet and strong) and a half baguette that took me back to when I was in France. I also had an almond croissant which was among the best I've ever had (and I've had a few!).

 Caroline's Cappuccino

 Open kitchen layout

Patisserie display at Chez Dre

Cottle on Coventry

It was a fairly lazy Sunday for me today. At a loss of what to do on a fairly nice early spring day, I decided that I wanted to restart my running program that has been on hold for a few weeks, and I would take a trip to South Melbourne Market. In South Melbourne coffee drinkers are well catered for. One of Melbourne's top rated cafe, St Ali's, sits on a back street behind the main Clarendon Street. St Ali's truly has magnificent coffee, but the last time I was there it was really busy, the price of fame I guess.

So instead of heading to St Ali, I tried somewhere I'd never been to before. Walking along Coventry Street on the way to the market I noticed Cottle on Coventry, and gave it a go. Funnily enough, I wan't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised.

I had a long black which was as good as any I've had in Melbourne, smooth yet strong and with a soft sweetness. What I liked best was the serving of the coffee, in short black form with hot water on the side so the drink can be made as long as the drinker wants. Cottle is more than just a cafe. It is a roastery, and has specialty teas and coffees for sale as well as coffee makers of all types. Today there was also free 'home barista' courses between 11am and 2pm. I have now found a new regular haunt for my trips to South Melbourne!

First Day of Spring

Well, actually it's the second day of Spring and only if you consider Spring is a monthly based season and not one that starts on the equinox. My God, I'm sounding like an old hippy! And what better thing for an old hippy to do on one of the first 20C days of the season than go to Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens and look at the trees and flowers!

Caroline and I love walking around the Botanical Gardens. It is a total sensory experience. As well as seeing the amazing shapes and colours of the plants, there are the great smells (eucalypt gardens smelled great today, and touching herbs like fragrant sage, and mint bring beautiful scents to life), loads of different textures ranging from wispy soft ferns, rubbery succulents, sharp grasses and sticky pollen, and the sounds of birds above and around you, especially the unmistakable and haunting bell birds. I didn't taste anything, though I'm sure there was plenty edible throughout the gardens.

I guess everyone has favourite parts of the gardens. Personally, I like variegated leaves, and plants with interesting colour combinations, not necessarily pretty but for me interesting. We had a great day walking around in the sunshine and I can't wait for Caroline to post some photos.

Beautiful variegated leaves 

Beautiful colour contrasts 

Blue skies and Eureka Tower in the background 

 Magnificent!

The lakes were spectacular in the sunshine 

Furry textured Lamb's Ears :D