If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would say you popped round to cheer me up as I have a cold. I say to you that it wasn’t so good being in Tauranga and Rotorua on Monday and Tuesday, coughing away. I tell you that I took Wednesday off work, went in on Thursday (there was a good reason) and am back off today. You say that is a good idea as there is no point in pushing yourself when you are under the weather. I say yes, and have been enjoying lots of hot drinks and the sofa.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would offer you a cup of t leaf T’s fig rose tea. You say yes, and we sip this rather delicious brew and settle down for a gossip.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the New Zealand International Film Festival and what we have seen. I say that due to being away, I have so far only seen one film, Aniara, but have a weekend full of films coming up. You ask me about Aniara, and I tell you it was a Swedish sci-fi film based on the poem by Harry Martinson. It tells the story of a marooned space ship transporting people to Mars, as the Earth is no longer habitable. I tell you that I really enjoyed it, despite the dark theme, and that I recommend you see it. You add it to your list.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would ask if Charlie had been looking after me and I said yes in his own little way.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would also talk about Wellington on a Plate, and about how there are just so many things to chose from that it is hard to decide what to eat and where to go. I tell you we went to one of our favourite places, Field & Green last night, which for Wellington on a Plate has been transformed into ‘Campo & Verde’ offering the cuisine of ‘Cucina Ebraica Romanesca’ (ie Roman Jewish cuisine). I tell you I had Torta di Erbe (artichoke, spinach and pea tart), Bucatini Cicoria e Bottagra (pasta with chicory and dried fish roe) and the Wellington on a Plate Festival Dish, Cassola (baked ricotta and orange zest soufflé, marmalade with a chocolate sauce). All I can say is that this was an absolutely fantastic meal, and that I will review the Cassola on Monday as it was a real small pleasure to eat.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would look at the clock and realise it was lunch time, so I ask if you would like to stay for some preserved lemon pappardelle with fried pine nuts, feta, and mint from My Name is Yeh. You say yes, so we pick a bit of mint from the pots outside, and prepare lunch. You say this dish needs a glass of red wine, but we agree it is a bit early in the day, and settle instead for green tea.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram@thistleandkiwis.  As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days.  If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com