Birdy has a Rusty Landing

From Paris and London to New York and Delhi, this little Birdy flew far and wide. Without care to nest, these little wings beat on their revealing journey through crowded villages, over rushing rivers and into dark forests. Living with wise Birdy's on her path, she learned great knowledge through challenge and inspiration.

One day, little Birdy decided it was time to return home - she missed her brothers and sister, and the open space of her mother land. Over great oceans she flew, a homebound pilgrim - making friends with whales and dolphins she passed. Mr Dolphin-Squirt carried her on his fin when her wings could no longer fight the harsh winds and rain. The baby dolphin sisters, Mecca and Max caught her small fish to eat when the green locusts were scarce.

Finally little birdy breezed into Sydney and made haste to the nest of her sister. Birdy's sister had 5 baby chicks, and they all lived together in the North Epping nest.

Little Birdy was happy to be home and even happier when she flew upon Pablo and Rusty's Cafe - little Birdy's need their Lattes too.

Now little Birdys local haunt, she loves listening to the daily bird songs of Angus and Julia Stone and Florence and the Machine that chirp away whilst she perches. Favouring the Daintree Chai, little Birdy flies in daily to sip and tap away on her computer in search of a new job (free WIFI). A talented and skilled Nest Maintenance Officer, Birdy is bound to land a job soon. Until then, Birdy continues the Rusty landing.

Pablo and Rusty's

42 Langston Place

Epping, NSW 2121

Opposite Epping Train Station

Towpath Cafe, Regents Canal

The aptly-named Towpath Cafe is located on the bike-busy Regents Canal in East London.
Popular with the local (push) bikey gangs, this hole in the path is the perfect pit stop to refuel yourself and regain composure - for myself at least, it takes quite a bit of tight rope walker-style concentration on the bikepath so as not to end up 'in the dip'. The bike bell certainly gets a workout.
This lovely little sunny spot is casual and buzzing with energy - something in the water or so the saying goes? The local and seemingly regular crowd flock on a sunny day, armed with books and picnic rugs to lounge on the cafes makeshift small garden terrace.

Offering light meals, homemade cakes, cool drinks and of course coffee, we opted for the affogatos with homemade ice-cream, and were perhaps a little too impressed judging by the spoon on empty glass clinking sounds that continued well after 99.99% of the contents were gone.

The colourful array of small clusters of mis-matched tables and chairs are perfectly complimented by the bunches of jasmine in old glass bottles on the counter.

Try it out - go on, ON YOUR BIKE!

Towpath Cafe

Between Whitmore Bridge and Kingsland Road Bridge.

The Regents Canal, London N1 5SB

Pot of Paris goes to London - you can take the girl out of Paris...

Leaving Paris and 'crossing over' I felt a swarm of emotions. Farewell "un cafe au lait" and hello "one weak, hot, skim latte" almost seems representative of one of the many cultural differences between the French and British. The French enjoy, the guilt free pleasure and satisfaction of one small portion of full fat whilst the British seem to fumble around with 4 or 5 watery skims, never fully satisfied.

My first cafe I was drawn to in London was coincidentally (or perhaps, subconsciously not) L'eau a la Bouche (Direct Translation - The Water at the Mouth) in East London's Broadway. It seems fitting that a slow transition should take place and this Cafe is mouthwateringly good.

Located on the Broadway Market street which buzzes every Saturday with vendors offering fresh produce, deli goods and ready made, home cooked dishes (great for a picnic in nearby London Fields).

The Cafe gets busy at lunch time and hence why there is a sign notifying laptop wielding customers to back off between 12-2pm (the wi-fi is actually deactivated during these hours so dont try any sneaky sneak).

The great selection of food is immaculately presented at the counter - an array of very healthy salads, a variety of sweet and savoury tarts and cakes to name a few. There is also a small deli section with giant wheels of cheese, antipasto and breads to select from, as well as a small aisle of premium (mostly organic) dry goods on offer.

The cafe is a decent size and there are a few seating options. I have been here 3 or 4 times and have tried them all. Inside, you may sit at the long timber share table or around the windows at the small bar-like snaking table. Outside, you will find rustic tables and chairs which are the cream of the crop on a sunny Spring day.

L'eau a la Bouche - mouthwatering.

It is not very typically French however, skim drinkers beware - semi skim is as far as they are willing to fold.

L'eau A La Bouche

35 Broadway Market

London, E8 4PH

Tube - Haggerston

Le Voltigeur - A Sharp Shot

Like a leaf in the wind I am windswept through the streets of the Marais and go hurtling through the door. Finding myself slightly flustered, yet comfortingly smothered in all the contraire.

Like a summons, I was called to this place on a blustery, March day and my blue lips just could not refuse the golden glow illuminating from within Le Voltigeur.

Adorned with tiny mosaic tiles on the floor, woven cane chairs and antique lamps, I almost found myself searching the space for a crackling fire, marshmallows, wine goblets and big white cosy rug.

Offering peckish patrons peanut filled glasses on arrival, shelves of books (including English), the daily papers and house specialties of hot chocolate and quiche, this is no doubt a romantically cosy little corner.

The staff are very friendly, and offered advice and honest recommendations with as much passion that I am certain the owners must have to keep a very close watch on the staff/quiche love affair.

The actual Voltigeurs were created in 1804 by Emperor Napolean 1 as French Military skirmish units. Their name was derived from their original purpose as a horse mounted skirmish unit (Vaulters). The mounted aspect however, proved unsuccessful on the battlefield, and they were instead trained as elite skirmish sharpshooters.

Located in the heart of the lovely Marais (where food can be overpriced and disappointing), on the corner of one of my favourite shopping streets (American Retro, Zadig & Voltaire, Autour du Monde, MAC to name a few), this little diamond in the rough is a conveniently located must.

Go on, give it a shot.

Le Voltigeur

45 Rue des Francs Bourgeois

Paris, 75004

Metro: Saint Paul

Gocci di Caffe - Paris Passageway

I came upon Passage Des Panoramas - a cobbled, covered passageway filled with cafes, restaurants and shops a few months ago and almost had forgotten about it when, by chance we stumbled upon it again - strolling the streets one night after Japanese on Rue Ste Anne (The best street for Japanese in Paris, Metro: Pyramides). We vowed to return for dinner at an overflowing wine bar tucked in one of the corners of the Passage.

I returned on Monday to check out the wine bar (Coinstat Vino in the background of the photo) but found it closed on Mondays. Blessing in disguise - as I pondered what else could be enjoyed in this quaint and historic place. I looked up and there it was right in front of me. Im not sure if I noticed the smell first, or the friendly smile of the owner - an Italian man named Antonio. This tiny, almost hole in the wall Italian Cafe was drawing me in.

I was impressed with the coffee and also with the personal nature of the owner. A one man band, he apologised for the lack of desserts on display, explaining that he normally made tiramisu but had overslept this morning and run out of time (after spending the weekend in Brittany and arriving back into Paris at 3am that morning). A very laid back character who chats freely with his seemingly regular stream of customers.

An Australian couple who were regular customers during an extended stay in Paris brought him a kangaroo which he proudly displays on a shelf behind the counter.

The Passage Des Panoramas is the oldest Passage in Paris -constructed on the site of The Montmorency-Luxembourg Private Hotel in 1799-1800. Historically speaking, it was one of the first covered, airy commercial passageways in the world. The so-called precursor to the shopping malls as we now know them.

Gocci di Caffe

25 Passage des Panoramas

Metro(s): Grand Boulevards or Bourse

La Cafeotheque de Paris

Soothing, slow country tunes play a drastic contrast to the speeding cars hurrying past The Seine outside. As my mind begins to decellerate and tick along to the rancher beats, I am presented with an artistically topped cafe au lait (complete with a petit chocolate and glass of water on the side).

This is the second time I have come to La Cafeotheque. Absolutely nothing to do with the cute Aussie guy who works here, I promise. The freshly ground coffee is creamy, and smooth as silk.

As I entered the Cafe today, there was a commotion going on with the roasting machine. In a very hands on manner, one of the owners was battling to regain control of the unruly, bright yellow contraption, but stopped to smile and usher me past with the assurance "c,est pas grave" (no big deal). After brushing off the remnants of bean particles from my hair, I proceeded through to the cafe.

La Cafeotheque is more than just a standard Cafe - offering barista courses and a small shop where patrons may purchase beans from all over the world (mainly South America and

Africa), jams, chocolate and coffee oil (a nicely presented gift that the owner tells me is great for salads or as a toppi

ng on icecream). The most expensive bean available to buy has been injested, processed and excreted by a special Brazilian bird - Nice!

Styled with a mix of decor including chocolate and dark olive green leather grandpa chairs, and a cow print chaise (my first seating choice but sadly it already was occupied). Randomly, a piano is positioned against the side wall - acting as a bookcase and blending in nicely with the warm timber tones. Loud and colourful South American photographs (for sale for 85 euro) adorn the walls.

Afterwards, cross The Seine via Ile St Louis and on to Rive Gauche, or wander the boutique strewn streets of St Paul Village and then in to the Marais. With the temperature (finally) rising, and the sunshine waking from its winter hibernation, La Cafeoteque is the perfect place for morning tea (small selection of muffins, cakes and quiche) before a pretty Parisian Spring stroll.

La Cafeotheque

52 Rue de L'Hotel de Ville

75004, Paris

Metro: Pont Marie

Voy Alimento - To the Amazonnn and Beyond!!

Sourcing the majority of their ancient originating ingredients from the Deserts, the Andes, the Amazon and the Oceans of South, Central and North America, Voy Alimento serves up simple and raw, yet daringly delicious dishes.

This petit cafe/restaurant (sorry, no coffee here) dictates grand ideals of balance - the importance of maintaining an equilibrium between nutrition, ecology, society and economy through their carefully selected and all natural herbivorical products.

There is a catalgue on each table which explains the various wonder ingredients on offer including chlorophyll, klamath, spirulina, jojoba, purple corn, maca, yacon, stevia, guarana

and cacao just to name a bunch. The catalogue commences with a mission like statement, desciribing the moral ideology of the restaurant - including its belief in the importance of respect for the earth and its people during the production, cultivation and preparation of the various plants on offer here.

I recommend starting with one of the marvellous hot drinks - I had the Xocolatl which was really nice, but the people next to me ordered the purple power and another steaming green mug of spirulina something.....and I had just a touch of envy.

Next, have the plate of the day - a colourful array of veges and salads thoughtfully prepared and presented with purple corn blinis (small, round healthy pancakes).

Lastly (and bestly) dessert!!. The chocolate creme with coconut is to die for. I went back here again after lunch at home yesterday to have one of these with a hot drink.

The staff are really lovely here (typically for a slightly hippy vegie joint they may seem a tad off with the fairies but really do a great job and are very helpful when it comes to advising what's what).

The restaurant was an addition to what was originally just a shop selling ancient wonder ailments. You can buy all the ingredients in the drinks on offer to make at home.

Voy Alimento - Packs a punch that may prove too much for some booster packs!

Voy Alimento

23 Rue Des Vinaigiriers

75010, Paris

Metro: Jacques Bonsergent