Friday, August 26, 2011

coffee to go

When I was younger my parents drank strong plunger coffee at home and rated the coffee they bought out from one to ten. From memory one was Launceston airport and ten was Pellegrini's in Melbourne.

I didn't drink coffee until I hit my thirties. I really didn't understand their obsession.

Before we set out on this caravan adventure, when we were considering our possessions and deciding what would come and what would stay, it occurred to me, not for the first time, that we had developed our own coffee addiction/obsession too.

At home, farmer/barista Bren (what would you rate his coffee M and D?), would place a beautifully brewed latte in front of me every morning not long after I'd opened my eyes. I loved/was addicted to this ritual, but I knew I didn't want it to take over our road trip. I did not want to have to start each day with the hunt for a latte.

So it appeared we had a decision to make; give up the coffee or find a way to make great lattes on the road.

We discussed it for a while. And then I convinced myself I would give up coffee the week before we left.

But then my hero, my barista Bren measured the coffee machine and the grinder. When he found that they fitted perfectly in the corner of the little caravan kitchen, he bolted them in and the rest is double shot latte every morning history.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of sitting eating breakfast in the dusty absolute middle of nowhere and sipping on a perfect latte.

Hugest special thanks to Ms Ruth Gourmetgirl-friend for the wonderful gift of home roasted beans she sent to us in a package to Darwin. The post office guy told us all the posties had been waiting all morning to see who would pick up the divine smelling parcel. Lucky, lucky us.

So dear reader, if you were to pack up and hit the road for six months, what would be your can't/don't want to live without?

Happy adventuring and have a fab weekend. xx

ps. The photo of the coffee machine in our caravan was taken by Ro.

57 comments:

  1. Definitely coffee, and probably a needle and thread and a pair of knitting needles! xo

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  2. What a pefect way to start the day ... the middle of nowhere bit as well as the latte. Life on the road for me would have to include a proper teapot for the proper brewing of chamomile flower tea. But I'd sneak a coffee machine in too if I could :D

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  3. Have loved reading your road adventures.

    I have always been a coffee lover but like you, the coffee making in this house lies firmly in Jason's hands.

    He makes a mean coffee x

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  4. Firstly I just have to say, my partner and I are both absolutely addicted to reading about your amazing family adventure! I don't think I've said hello before, but I've been reading for quite awhile, and I feel SUPER inspired by this journey you've taken with your family!

    Secondly, LOVE that you guys managed to sneak this lovely little ritual in as part of your journey! As a fellow coffee addict, bravo! I think books would be the 'can't live without' for me, pretty boring - but definitely true! I would take a stack, both old favourites, and exciting new ones to tuck into. I made a much shorter caravan journey with my then boyfriend, over one summer. I found that some of the camp grounds had book swap libraries in them. It was always exciting having a look through, and then swapping some of mine for some of theirs... Have you found this type of thing in your travels?

    Anyway, happy journeying! We'll be reading!

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  5. Sam was super impressed when he saw the rancillio in your caravan. We have an old 60's coffee machine at our house. I've worked as a barista for many years & still to this day dislike all that there is to coffee. Lucky I can make a mean coffee without having to taste it.
    If I was off on a long adventure, I'd most certainly have to pack my teapots & tea. I like Darjeeling, peppermint & gen mai cha.
    I don't think I'd be able to go that long without some home (caravan) baked goodies either.
    Even though I don't drink coffee, I'm loving the idea of sipping the perfect latte in the middle of nowhere. How lush.
    Take care & have fun.
    p.s. how can I post to you in the middle of nowhere?

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  6. I'm not big on coffee though I could be convinced otherwise if they always looked as good as that :)

    Books, my journal and a trusty crochet hook are my must haves.

    xx

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  7. We recently purchased a Nespresso machine. I.cannot.live.without.it!
    Best thing to wake up to in the morning...glad you decided to take it on the road with you. xx

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  8. Mr G ALWAYS brings me a coffee within minutes of me opening my eyes - I hate it when he is away, the lack of coffee in the morning always compounds this. So you are a very lucky girl to not have to have given this up - it is a beautiful way to be shown you are loved! Lovely farmer bren

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  9. It was Devonport airport, actually. Not Launceston. And it was before we knew Farmer Bren. In the new rating system we'd still give Devonport airport one for old time's sake, though we only ever drank coffee there once. Top score of 11 goes to...drum roll...why, it's Farmer Bren! What a surprise! xx

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  10. Being from Melbourne I'd have to say coffee well. I too have a wonderful barista man, whom makes the best lattes with a a bamix would you believe.

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  11. we would have to take our coffee machine too. I have drunk coffee since my early 20's but my hubby has come to coffee like you in his early 30's. he only drinks short black (typical Italian) and is OBSESSED about only getting good coffee.

    As you head into WA, make sure you try Yahava, it's made in Margaret River but they have a place in the Swan Valley as well - go for Romeo No.5! If you ever hear someone call "romeo romeo where for art thou romeo" in our house - you know what we're talking about.

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  12. I am so trying to think of something other than coffee, hook and yarn....

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  13. Oh it would have to be a good old cup of tea for me. Take that away from me and I would be one moody lady :) Tetley tea or even better a very strong cup of Yorkshire tea.

    Leah x

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  14. Hi Kate..You've said it all..what more could I add?

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  15. Not a coffee drinker but love a good cup of loose leaf tea. So definitely my teapot and tea leaves. My kindle ereader would be the other thing.

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  16. Without a doubt we'd invest in a coffee machine, top of the 'must take' list!! Hubby is a coffee guru, so my addiction would certainly be maintained nicely..what I'd like to learn to live without is (pitifully) my hairdryer, I do try here at home but I just can't do it, I don't have that kind of hair..x

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  17. If there is electricity we take the flatscreen and dvd player. We hire a movie for the kids, something classic that they don't have at the video shop back home, like swiss family robinson, settle the kids in front of that with a few treats and sneak into the other room of the tent for an afternoon nap..... What is a holiday without an afternoon nap?

    Other than that I would have to say my hairdryer and makeup. I might not use them every day at home but I like to spend a little bit of time on myself if we are away...

    Boy I sound shallow...

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  18. It used to be coffee and books, now it's coffee and my android tablet, which has an electronic reader!

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  19. Your mum is a blogger? *adding her to my reader as well*

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  20. you lucky duck, to have your beautiful van, and a coffee machine and your very own personal barista.
    happy days

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  21. Delicious! What a lovely way to start the day! Cx

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  22. I just wrote a really long comment and it disappeared before I posted it- doesn't that shit ya?? xx

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  23. can't live without coffee and my toothbrush. i go insane over the smell of freshly brewed coffee and i cannot stand not brushing my teeth. what a perfect spot for your machine - it was meant to be! have a lovely weekend.

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  24. Sock needles, paper, pen and drawing pencils. That would be all. You may keep the coffee, 'k?

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  25. Definately either Sylvia or our newly obtained stove top pot, depending on how much space we've got. Love a good coffee at the start of the day and coffee with a view, doesn't get better than that :)

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  26. MWAH! xxxx
    When we go camping my Atomic takes pride of place in our camper van....I posted on it a while back. It features in our outdoor kitchen in the pics in our 'Glamping' post...(silly me...I wrote that post and didn't ven realise it was actually A REAL term! woopsy....)
    I simply WILL not be without a good bowl of coffee..so I totally understand why the Rancilio has pride of place!
    xxxx
    I am so glad you are enjoying the beans I sent you.

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  27. On extended stays away from home I always take my little green sewing bag, a pair of scissors and scraps of fabric. Crochet hook and wool too. Absolute must because I will then have something to invent or mend with. Your husband is a real dear for looking after you each day. Cherrie

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  28. I am completely with you here, coffee machine for sure. I am a self professed coffee snob and can't do without a real coffee! Like your way of thinking!

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  29. we take our Rancillio "Sylvia" with us in a special case when we travel, and lug it into the hotel room with us . . .along with the three kids and two german shephers, we've decided travel trailer is the way to go, heh.

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  30. I do admit I am sooooo with you on the coffee addiction. I have to take our little machine with us whenever we go to the mountains, which annoys the Mr because he's 'templing' and has forgotten the basic needs of the addict! Yah for farmer/barista Bren for being such a champion :) Kx

    p.s. 'templing' is my word for when people make their bodies a temple ;)

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  31. Forgot to say, congratulations on having a 1000 followers! Wow! and you thought no-one would be interested in your caravan adventures :) Kx

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  32. Definately good tea and coffee. And also something to do to keep my hands busy, I go nuts if I don't have something to do.

    It's serendipitous that your coffee machine fit in that space. It doesn't look like there was much room to spare!

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  33. Tea leaves, tea pot and my spinning wheel and lots and lots of fleece. Ohh might bring hubby too...vbg. Loving reading your story and seeing all the beautiful photos. So glad the trip is going well and you are all relaxing and enjoying yourselves.

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  34. what a darling Ben is. you must have some comforts from home on such a big trip. I'm a tea girl myself so I don't understand the fuss about coffee! Although, i am quite choosy about what type of tea i drink. loving following your adventure. have a safe and happy weekend. Jane x

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  35. My husband makes me coffee every morning. I think it tastes better when someone who you love makes it for you. We're lucky girls.

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  36. Good coffee, good books and plenty of knitting.

    Oh, it was meant to be that the coffee machine fitted into your van. Fate!

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  37. Been following your landbased adventure whilst on my own short sea based adventure! I can say with certainty that a tea pot, craft books and my sewing machine had to be packed - love reading your blog

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  38. Totally get the post office smell scenario! Congratulations for educating the northerners, bad form, I know.
    Hah! so your Bren and mine were twins in a former life?!
    Im NOT a coffee drinker but when he places one in front of me I wait for it to cool down (im a secret iced coffee advocate as I truly believe it tastes so much better cold, think about it) and pretend I need it to start my day, when all I wish for is for my own machine... my sewing machine. Sooo... in answer to your question my first thought is I would have to take my sewing machine. But you already know this about me, x

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  39. I couldn't live without my tea!! I love latte but drink more tea than anything. Thank god our aiport has been rebuilt including the cafe but I must admit I have never bought a coffee there so it could sill be a one!!!! But there is a Hudson's in there now too

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  40. I've come late to the coffee too. I was also in my thirties. I think I couldn't leave for 6 months for fear of NOT getting a decent coffee. Lucky you to have Bren at the machine. x

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  41. I don't drink coffee but Tea is at the top of my list. That, my hook and yarn, a few books (oh and I guess my children ;) ) and I'd be happy x

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  42. wonderful little story
    my dad work in a coffee company for a long time ...and my hubby and I rated our coffee when we go out!!

    enjoy your coffee & sunday

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  43. Oh enjoy, i'm 36 & still haven't had a cup of coffee ever, my husband doesn't drink it either, or tea, i'm sure it saves me a fortune!! Love Posie

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  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  45. I used to laugh that I could give up air travel, easily live without a car, but that I couldn't ever consider living without my popcorn machine. But then the popcorn machine broke and couldn't be repaired, and what I thought I couldn't be without has been effortlessly replaced by a simple pot.

    Congrats on 1002 followers! xx

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  46. Smiling at how many guys are bringing coffee to their Beloveds in the morning ... gadzooks you've got a gorgeous fella there Kate! If a wonderful journey like yours happened to me I'd desperately miss Ma Bella's (my beautiful girls) ... I'm caffeine free, male free and never been happier ;~)
    Huge Hugs to y'all ♥♥♥♥♥

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  47. We almost left behind our coffee machine when we recently moved to Hong Kong. This was a big decision for us, as my Shropshire boy adores his coffee and used to roast his own coffee beans (in a pop corn maker, yes!)
    We are now SO GLAD we bought it with us as there are not many good coffee shops at all here to buy a latte. We have managed to find one fab coffee shop that sells fresh roasted beans, so we are all happy now.
    I do wonder how much you miss your sewing machine? I missed mine terribly in the weeks we moved and our shipping had not arrived. But I can't crochet (yet) or knit (very well) so I am glad you have these with you :)

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  48. Actually I think my thing would be the coffee as well. Ours is a little Italian stove top espresso maker and I love the ritual of getting it all together half as much as the drinking.
    Enjoy that double shot latte Kate.

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  49. Good question. Me thinks I cannot live without the laptop and the camera.

    ...and how lucky are you that your farmer boy makes you a latte every morning. He's a keeper!

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