A quiet escape from the super busy Brick Lane, I joined my friend (who is just as mad about tea) for a lovely cuppa in Pretty Cuppa. Obviously I was caught by the name, and drawn inside by the teapots and teacups. While my friend sipped an Earl Grey, I tried Pukka's Vanilla Chai - it's caffeine free and has a delicate, sweet flavour. I normally add milk to chai but it was so light I decided not to. Described as ‘a fairly-traded magic carpet of sweet organic vanilla tingling with cinnamon and...

The Sunday sun streamed into The Hawkhurst Vault, just out the way of the manic Brick Lane and full of customers with beautiful bunches of flowers from nearby Colombia Road market. They serve Jing tea with a timer to make sure you brew it right. I love the Jing Assam so went for the deep brown breakfast tea once again. My cuppa was drunk from a classic Churchill's 'Blue Willow' teacup - there are some lovely stories and poems written about this famous china pattern.... Two birds flying high, A...