Another sky-scape

Miserable weather this morning. Recent “outings” are timed to suit the weather forecast.
I had calls to make, and ran a bit late, so we missed the best of the early afternoon sun.

Bus to Southbourne, usual up and down the High Street, buying dried figs for Mr B en route.

Suggested we return home, but stop off in Boscombe to try out a new café on the other side of the road from Boscanova. Only open a few days within ‘Collective’*. They have a similar venture in Bournemouth – several traders, rent and pay no rates as they have small units within the space.

Chatted to the Italian barista. She’s been here several years, has an English partner. Made a 10/10 Flat White. Excellent freshly roasted Bad Hand coffee. So we have another café to add to our favourites.

Heard wonderful news. Our lovely Neapolitan friend in London had an interview this morning. It was successful - resulting in promotion and moving to the next salary band.

From living in Naples, the first in the family to get a university degree, but still with little prospect of a decent job with a decent pay, she has done so well here.

She met us when we holidayed in Riccione (I worked in a jewellers there when I was about 18, and wanted to return and see if the store was still there – and it was!). Now run by the owners’s daughters.

She was so sad to say goodbye when she had to return to Naples. I suggested she visited us in London, but she couldn’t afford to. I said if she saves for the airfare she could come and stay with us and wouldn’t need any money while here. After 1½ years she did exactly that and on the last day of her stay, really didn’t want to leave.

I recommended checking if cafés in the High Street needed a barista. She came up trumps with an offer from Starbucks.

That’s history and she is happily married with a 5 year-old, and a (now) management position at a prestigious London university. She is positive, bright, quick, hard-working, very likeable. So she deserves it all.