Melbourne Sunday Morning

Tea and Crumpets

Before I delve in to Sunday morning tea and crumpets, I must first thank nature for supporting me in my Internet endeavors. Let me explain. Yasmin has been in the US since late April 2009. Upon her return at the end of October, she stayed in Torquay with her parents until several days before my arrival. Having just 2 ½ days to ready herself (and the house) for my arrival, meant not checking her email. A couple of days after arriving, when I was able to focus my attention on more then just eating and sleeping, I attempted to use Yasmin's Internet connection. For some unknown reason, the connection would not work, and our attempts to use her Mum's connection failed also.

Soooooooo, until that problem was rectified, we were going to explore the use of the local public library, and/or an Internet cafe we saw on High St in Preston, the next town over. I had decided to boot up my laptop and start a new document in OpenOffice Writer, when I had a small, yet satisfying epiphany. I would check for any nearby wireless connections.

And so, piggybacking on the “AP” unsecured wireless connection came to be. I am being entirely truthful when I write that I am indebted to whomever and wherever this connection springs forth. I am aware of my nefarious deed, and promise to only use the connection for email and posting this blog. And know, that this is only temporary. So, to the One Who Owns the “AP” wireless network in Coburg, Victoria, my deepest gratitude to you. You have ensured my connection to my friends and family, and eloquently removed any and all vestiges of my personal anxieties. Well done, and regards from Cheryl, the Alien in Australia.

And now, back to the story...

Yes, Virginia, there are such things as crumpets, AND you can buy them at the mini mart. Quite interesting, these creatures of the bread and muffin world. Looking a bit like a moon scape on one side and a pancake on the other, crumpets are a perfectly thought out and constructed breakfast/tea muffin. I say breakfast muffin because I enjoyed my first crumpet during Sunday morning breakfast. Allow me to digress for a moment...

Sunday mornings have to be my favorite morning of the week. A morning that you can casually wend your way through with no disparaging looks from ANYONE. It is the one morning of the week where, not only can one quietly immerse themselves into themselves, it is expected. Whether your church is down the street, or at home, we find our quiet spot and sit. Ergo, Sunday morning is sacred to me for many reasons. Back to our story...

The beginning of our Sunday was not to find the elusive crumpet, but to garner the biggest prize of Sunday morning...the Sunday newspaper. We took a roundabout walk...partially through the neighborhood, partially through a grassy water pipe easement. Once we got to the store, we picked up the Sunday newspaper (we chose “The Age”, one of the major papers in the state of Victoria), and perused the aisles for some bread for toast.

There, right next to the English Muffins, were the Crumpets (I just LOVE that word! CRUMPET...sounds like TRUMPET...and, according to Yasmin, Scrumptious...especially with melted cheese and tomato!). Crumpets are perfect because all the little holes on the top allow whatever is smeared on it to soak into the entire crumpet! We snagged a bag, and were off. Back at the house, we put on the kettle for tea, cut up some melon, and toasted some crumpets. HEAVEN. We set up outside on the porch, opened up the paper, and listened to the birds cackle and sing to the morning. PERFECT. Nothing left to say.