All fired up

'Let's do this!" cheered the Newtown barista in response to the news that I would like a long black and a cheddar scone.

- RUSSELL BROWN

Time was when I had a spare day in Wellington that I'd try to set up meetings, do some research, get to the exhibitions. Recently, the day after a conference, it seemed enough to spread another town's newspaper across a cafe table and bask in an absence of urgency. The coffee and the scone neatly pan-grilled - were worthy of the cheer.

Outside, Newtown was stretching and yawning. The busker by Moon cracked a smile when his mate turned up with a couple of bottles of wine, workers crowded around sunlit tables on Constable St and the shops began to open. My friend appeared in her car and we set out to do no more than browse the city's op shops.

Kilbirnie offered some canary-yellow cups and saucers from the Finnish ceramics house Arabia, and the place opposite Park Road Post laid out a full set of Denby in a deep jade glaze, but the mugs had been battered inside by too many teaspoons. At the next stop, the Sallies, there was a Miramar miracle.