DIY The a la Menthe at Petersham Nurseries

More greens, this time the 'drink me' kind.

This lovely fresh green mint.

Is growing on French Girl's balcon taking in the Paris sun or Paris grey skies, whichever happens first. This is her 'appart' jardin.

I asked if she knew how to make fresh mint tea and she proceeded to tell me, first I must make 'REAL' tea, then add fresh mint leaves to the hot tea. Non non non!
Do you know how to make fresh mint tea? Do tell svp.

I had it at Sketch Parlour in London, which one of you brilliant PB readers said I MUST visit. I'd ordered Rooibos tea, but when the server saw me turn up my nose at the strong aroma, she offered instead some fresh mint tea.

The best afternoon tea is at Sketch I'm happy to announce.
I loved their 'fresh' mint tea = instant addiction to something that may even be healthy.

This is a super fun place. It does take a bit of searching out. I almost didn't go. Luckily I was wearing my macaron T-shirt so they felt obliged to seat me immediately, though I had not reserved ahead.

On Sunday morning I traipsed out to Richmond (which took all of 10 minutes on the Waterloo train) to Petersham Nurseries, another London must-do. Because of my rotten missing 'green thumbs' I don't dare own any plants, but it's still well worth a visit.

A bit of lunch seemed a good idea. When the server asked what I'd like, I said, "cake please". Completely daft of me, as the Brits say, since all they have IS cake on this table!

‘Fresh' courgette soup (that's zucchini to you).

And the 'fresh' mint tea again. YUM

Now I know what do to with all the glass teapots I've collected to paint. That is as soon as you tell me how to make fresh mint tea correctly.

Sitting in the caf' at Petersham is just fine unless you book ahead for the restaurant. It's much more posh.

On to Paris mint tea. Feeling completely bushed yesterday after just one hour's sleep (in deadly fear of missing the 'CHUNNEL' train) I stopped in the newly refurbished salon de the in Printemps for mint tea. But it was made the way French girl makes it. Refreshing none the less, but no 'fresh' mint leaves saying hello to you.

And what to have with your mint tea?

Definitely not these toy felt petit fours unless you're a doudou.

A luscious looking charlotte gateaux.

BONJOUR THE A LA MENTHE FRAIS!