November Notes
Another month, another set of quiet joys. As the days grow colder, they seem to grow cosier too — if you choose to let them.
1) Full moon in Dubai 2) Swiss mountains 3) Mini park near Old Town 4) Splash of colour
A work conference in Dubai had me worried at the beginning of the month. Travel logistics — packing, deciding what I would need, and figuring out how to fit everything into a cabin bag — always leave me a little anxious. However, the instructions sent by the organising committee left nothing to worry about. I knew exactly what to pack, and I felt reassured that I would have everything I needed.
With that settled, the only thing left was excitement for the trip. Both flights were smooth and pleasant. I read the next book in my guilty-pleasure series, listened to my favourite music, and didn’t even feel that sleepy.
The event itself was wonderful. It was heartwarming to connect with my colleagues from around the globe. The weather was a welcome change from the European cold. The evening events had a beautiful atmosphere, and the full moon was a lovely surprise.
I realised, once again, how much I enjoy flying back home. I never get bored of the view from the plane. I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to experience it.
Still, as much as I enjoyed the journey, I was happy to come back.
I landed on Friday and immediately planned breakfast with friends for Saturday. The fresh walk reminded me to settle back into November — its quieter rhythm and colder weather. We wandered through our neighbourhood, enjoying familiar streets and noticing things we hadn’t paid attention to before: a few galleries, or that curious light caught between two scooters (one of them a Vespa; I’m not sure about the other — a reminder of how little I know about cars and motor vehicles).
We ended up at Pages & Sips for scones, banana bread, and some lovely tea. A long discussion followed, this time about milky oolong. We were convinced our teas had been mixed up and tried to figure out who had received which cup. Since we couldn’t reach a consensus, I decided the only reasonable solution was to visit a newly discovered tea shop, buy some milky oolong, and drink it at home — so we could finally tell the difference.
1-3) Interior of Betjeman and Barton 4) Table at my friend’s place
And so, one small decision led naturally to another.
When I mention a newly discovered tea shop, I should admit it was a new discovery for me — the shop itself has been part of the city for years. Still, the excitement was real, especially because it gave me a reason to walk to Carouge — a neighbourhood I truly enjoy but rarely visit, simply because it’s never on my way. Now, at last, I had a reason.
If you’re a tea lover, and tea accessories bring you joy, Betjeman and Barton is a place you must visit. The tea selection is wonderful. I had done some research online beforehand and arrived with a few favourites already in mind, which made choosing in the shop even more enjoyable.
The staff are fantastic — professional, kind, and genuinely welcoming. They happily share recommendations based on what you already enjoy or help you find something a little special. Beyond tea, the shop offers honey, chocolate, cookies, gingerbread, and a wide variety of tea accessories.
And don’t miss the second room. This is where the most beautiful mugs and teapots are waiting — different styles, sizes, and shapes. There’s truly something for everyone.
And so we tasted the milky oolong, and it quickly became one of our first choices for tea in November. We decided to do the tasting at my friend’s place, and what a lovely surprise it turned out to be.
She had baked homemade cinnamon rolls — her specialty. Buttery, caramelised, not too sweet, simply amazing. They were complemented by dates from Dubai, stuffed with Dubai chocolate and covered in milk chocolate. They were good, though we all agreed our hearts still lean toward something simpler.
A few days, a few cups of tea. Nothing extraordinary — and yet, everything I needed.
Thank you for reading. All tea and tea shops recommendations are welcome here.