I often write in cafes. My writing time
during the working week is an hour at lunchtime and whatever I can cram into my
evenings. When my lunch break comes along I trundle off to one of my regular
haunts with my laptop jammed under an arm (already on, primed and ready to go)
then order a pot of tea and settle down to write. This can understandably make
me fairly unsociable at lunchtimes and unfortunately prevents my current
attendance at a jujitsu class I really enjoy. But with a normal 9-5 job this is
the reality of a moonlighting indie author. I don’t make enough off sales to live, pay the mortgage, eat, etc. Not that
I mind in the least, but sometimes (school holidays..) I find myself
fantasising about THE perfect writers/readers café.
during the working week is an hour at lunchtime and whatever I can cram into my
evenings. When my lunch break comes along I trundle off to one of my regular
haunts with my laptop jammed under an arm (already on, primed and ready to go)
then order a pot of tea and settle down to write. This can understandably make
me fairly unsociable at lunchtimes and unfortunately prevents my current
attendance at a jujitsu class I really enjoy. But with a normal 9-5 job this is
the reality of a moonlighting indie author. I don’t make enough off sales to live, pay the mortgage, eat, etc. Not that
I mind in the least, but sometimes (school holidays..) I find myself
fantasising about THE perfect writers/readers café.
(This is of course the plan for when I win
lotto ;p)
lotto ;p)
It’s tucked down one of the narrow alley
ways and you know when you’re getting close because you can smell the jasmine
that grows around the wrought iron archway that decorates the entrance. There
are pretty arched windows on either side of the door, large windows with
latticework at the tops. Window seats are fitted in the windows, so from the
outside you can see a reader ensconced in the pages of a novel, a steaming cup
of something hot tucked into a neat alcove within the window seat (don’t want
wet pages!). When you enter there is gentle music playing, no words just
instrumental that varies from gentle pipes, to classical piano, to meandering
drums with the occasional metallic chime.
ways and you know when you’re getting close because you can smell the jasmine
that grows around the wrought iron archway that decorates the entrance. There
are pretty arched windows on either side of the door, large windows with
latticework at the tops. Window seats are fitted in the windows, so from the
outside you can see a reader ensconced in the pages of a novel, a steaming cup
of something hot tucked into a neat alcove within the window seat (don’t want
wet pages!). When you enter there is gentle music playing, no words just
instrumental that varies from gentle pipes, to classical piano, to meandering
drums with the occasional metallic chime.
You can choose to order something from the
counter – an array of delicious but simple foods, all gluten free. Food like
slow cooked risotto with chicken and leek, or potato gratin layered with cheese
and egg. Light and fresh salads with tart pickles. Duck fat roasted potato
wedges that crunch into soft fluffy goodness when you bite down. Mouth
puckering lemon tarts with rich almond and macadamia bases, or delicate
macaroons with pistachio fillings.
counter – an array of delicious but simple foods, all gluten free. Food like
slow cooked risotto with chicken and leek, or potato gratin layered with cheese
and egg. Light and fresh salads with tart pickles. Duck fat roasted potato
wedges that crunch into soft fluffy goodness when you bite down. Mouth
puckering lemon tarts with rich almond and macadamia bases, or delicate
macaroons with pistachio fillings.
Of course you can just pay for a pot of
tea. A simple price for one pot – or a slightly larger price for a bottomless
pot, with no requirement to buy food. Yes, you can sit there and write/read all
day long (if you have the time) while enjoying numerous pots of tea.
tea. A simple price for one pot – or a slightly larger price for a bottomless
pot, with no requirement to buy food. Yes, you can sit there and write/read all
day long (if you have the time) while enjoying numerous pots of tea.
Coffee, well that’s a specialty here in NZ.
I’m sure we could figure out a basic price for, maybe six coffees in a day?
Yeah, we’re addicts here ;p
I’m sure we could figure out a basic price for, maybe six coffees in a day?
Yeah, we’re addicts here ;p
There are a couple of companionable long
farm style tables, with long slab seats for those that want a little company.
Then there are the numerous large comfy armchairs scattered about, in ways that
allow you to feel in your own complete space, with pretty little tables tucked
beside and footstools if your armchair isn’t a lazy boy. Nothing matches, every
piece just adds to the country, heirloom, eclectic hominess of the space. Lamps
are dotted around the deliberately dim space, the dimness adding to the
cosiness. Every chair has a good light source, but in a way that it only lights
what you need. If you stare off into space no one really notices. Of course the
walls are entirely fitted with bookcases, stuffed full of well read books
you’re encouraged to read. The wifi is free as long as you buy something (even
the bottomless tea) and there are handy plug points and usb points all over the
place.
farm style tables, with long slab seats for those that want a little company.
Then there are the numerous large comfy armchairs scattered about, in ways that
allow you to feel in your own complete space, with pretty little tables tucked
beside and footstools if your armchair isn’t a lazy boy. Nothing matches, every
piece just adds to the country, heirloom, eclectic hominess of the space. Lamps
are dotted around the deliberately dim space, the dimness adding to the
cosiness. Every chair has a good light source, but in a way that it only lights
what you need. If you stare off into space no one really notices. Of course the
walls are entirely fitted with bookcases, stuffed full of well read books
you’re encouraged to read. The wifi is free as long as you buy something (even
the bottomless tea) and there are handy plug points and usb points all over the
place.
Loud noise isn’t encouraged. This is one of
those spaces that attract those who just don’t really fit this reality
entirely, they’d rather live in the pages of a novel, or in creating new
worlds.
those spaces that attract those who just don’t really fit this reality
entirely, they’d rather live in the pages of a novel, or in creating new
worlds.
And best of all, there’s always a seat waiting, just for you.
Leave a Reply