A New Toy!

I love this!  


I have just been given a Rolleiflex tlr and handful of film in return for a band shoot.  The guys in question are looking for a very retro look for their album promos, and along with the 5D/photoshop route we struck a deal for me to learn how to use this baby for the shoot in return for her coming to live with me on a permanent basis.  I love film, though have had varying success with both my 35mm and 120mm slr's (wish I had a darkroom).  But just holding this lady excites me and I really want to get something from her.  I'm taking her out at the weekend, once I've ploughed the internet and youtube for tips.  But if anyone out there has any advice, I'll take it all... x

The Window Coffee

A few weeks back I was introduced to the very talented (and also quite lovely) Hayley Draper, owner of The Window Coffee on Norwich's Wensum Street.  If you haven't yet heard of it The Window Coffee shop is thought to be the worlds smallest cafe, so when Hayley asked if I could take some photos for her new website I thought sure, ten minutes of photography, could slot it in before breakfast!


So several days later I left the kids (who were on half term hols) with Dad and told them I'd be back in half an hour.  How wrong I was!  Sure it may well be the worlds smallest cafe, but it is also the worlds most welcoming, most cosy and well, most social cafe - certainly that I have ever come across anyway.  And so three and a half hours, two incredible coffees, and one pork pie later I headed home with nearly 200 shots and a few new friends. 
I'll tell you a little more about Hayley and her cafe in a moment, but first come in and take a seat...

During her travels around Australia Hayley fell in love with coffee and the whole cafe scene. I mean truly fell. I like my coffee, I know what strength I like, a few brands I prefer more than others, and that I never let Paul make me a coffee unless I have a strange craving for Mellow Birds.  But Hayleys love and knowledge of coffee is bordering on obsession.  Upon returning to the UK she knew that all she wanted to do was brew and when she stumbled across the vacant 25 Wensum Street store she knew it was the perfect spot to do just that. So just over a year ago The Window Coffee's door opened for the first time.  Just the right size to play host to a handful of customers at a time, but not so big that she gets bogged down with staff and paperwork - freeing her up to just do what she loves most, make coffee!  And boy does she make a good cup...

When I told Hayley I liked my brew straight up on the rocks her eyes lit up and she told me I HAD to try an Aeropress.  A relatively new invention it uses air to filter the ground coffee through a fine paper (don't ask me the science, but ask Hayley and she'll happily guide you through) so what you end up with is an incredibly clean and pure tasting cup which leaves the most heavenly taste in the back of your mouth.  The clear plastic Aeropress contraptions are sold in the cafe - along with various packs of Hayley's handpicked roasts - so you can pick up everything you need to get a fix at home.

But then you'd be missing out on the second thing that makes The Window my favourite coffee shop in Norwich, and that's the company...

Hayley seemed to know everyone who walked through the door (and in my three and a half hour stay the cafe wasn't empty for more than a minute) and if they were first timers swift introductions were made and another regular was born.  

But perhaps most importantly, with nothing more than a long bench and a comfy old stall to squeeze on, you had no choice but to chat with your fellow drinkers.  And chat we did!  It's real cafe society in here.  Even Hayley's counter is pushed up against the wall so she doesn't get trapped behind and can join in the gossip.

On top of all this there's a great array of cakes and buns - I even got to feed my Brays Pork Pie addiction!

If you're Norwich based or Norwich bound you'd be sorry to miss this wonderful little place. 

Oh, and one final note.  Hayley is currently competing in the UK Barista Championships.  She stormed her last round and is heading for the semi-finals in London on March 15th with the finals the following day.  Her current scoring puts her a 'coffee bean's throw' from being crowned the winner.

So soon the UK's finest cup of coffee could be brewed up in the Worlds Smallest Cafe.  I wish you all the best of luck Hayley, you've earned it!

Cheers x

STOP PRESS: 85 entrants, 3 rounds, god knows how many coffees.  Hayley's highest hopes were to make it to the finals.  Not only did she achieve this, but she came 5th, and is now the highest ranking female barista in the UK!  For her first year this is one hell of an achievement and I have a feeling this girl could one day be number one.  Though judging from the response her customers greeted her with on her homecoming, they already think she is!  Congratulations Hayley... my first blogged celeb ;D 

An invite from Cherry Cherry

So, last week I got to roll three treats into two splendid hours.  Firstly, spending time in Cherry Cherry which, if you haven't already discovered for yourself, is one of those little stores that instantly pops into your head for gifts (whether for loved ones, or preferably for yourself), no matter whether you have fifty quid or a handful of silver in your purse.
  
Starting off as a concession in The Perfect Pad in Norwich's Lanes it was no surprise it soon outgrew it's nest and took up residence a few doors down in what is now an impossible place to pass without at the very least a glance and preferably (if you know what's good for you) a purchase.  In it's own words 'selling all things handmade and crafty' Cherry Cherry is the brainchild of Kate Seaward who quite frankly has an eye for sourcing the very best in local illustrators, designers, and as she puts it 'crafters'.  I love this shop, it's a true feast for the eye (and in my case the lens), it's bright even on the greyest day, and most importantly friendly.  Even if you're not shopping it's got to be worth a browse, I promise you won't regret stepping through the door!


Which brings me to my second, Kate herself.  I've only known Kate a little over a year but she's one of those girls you instantly feel comfortable around (which is reflected, I think, in her shop).  She's originally an illustrator herself, though had to put a lid on her pens for several months while she got her shop in order.  I had asked her to put some words together about herself, but she finds it easier to plug others rather than blow her own trumpet (god knows she was a little camera shy, unjustifiably...).  I do know she has a love of birds (one of her own illustrations is inked on her wrist which I guess is the ultimate accolade), moustaches ;D and her beautiful little Daschund Jerry.  
I will come to my third in a moment, but first, a quick browse...

Amongst the many many beautiful prints I discovered this wonderful papercut.  Can you think of a more beautiful wedding gift?  I intend to find out more about this lady and report back later...

Ok, I could go on, but I think you should really check the place out for yourself, you won't be sorry...

Which brings me to my third and I guess the reason I'm here.  Kate recently contacted me to say she had turned her hand to wedding stationary.  What started by chance, a bride to be popping by hoping to find something unique, has turned into yet another new venture.  The bride commissioned Kate to design some bespoke invitations, and upon return was so happy with what she saw, beautifully illustrated and so obviously hand drawn, she put in an order for some place settings, order of service and Thank you cards. 

Working from the back of the shop, with one eye on her business at all times, the invites are hand cut and embossed.  

I doubt this will be my last post from Kate or Cherry - as we speak she has big plans to open an artist's studio on the ever expanding Wensum Street, watch this space...

Until then x

ps : after editing these pictures I HAD to go back and buy that skull and scissors bracelet, I love it! (don't worry, there's plenty more where that came from) ;D

Valentine

With 17 years under our belts P & I don't go heavy on Valentine.  But I think the first proper sunny day in what seems like six months must've gone to our heads as today brought flowers, a huge pub lunch and a far too large glass of wine (or two...).  All of which needed to be walked off before the school run.  Luckily we were minutes away from one of my favourite spots - the University of East Anglia where I got to spend half a glorious hour in the sun with the beauty of the swans, and the daftness of P high on an out of character lunchtime drink.  I only wished I hadn't been laughing too much to capture him falling out of a tree...


Happy Valentine y'all - hope you get to spend it with the one you love x