Home again.

I know it’s silly, but I always get nervous when crossing international borders with tea in my possession.

I worry every time that an over zealous customs officer for who tea means dust in a paper bag will look at a ball tea like green gunpowder, or an Oolong, or smell shou Pu-erh, and come to the conclusion that something naughty is going on, especially when, to save space and weight, they’re packed down in food-grade freezer bags.

Despite my fevered fears, the Swedish customs Labrador wagged on by without even a sideways glance, happy to play “find the contraband, get a treat” further down the carriage.

Yesterday was our first full day in post-holiday mode, and in the midst of the “what is this strange place called home?” confusion, I took time out to have a session with my favourite tea, (not to mention my favourite teaware) the Moonlight White I received as a birthday present last year.

It was my way of celebrating a successful holiday and our safe return, a quiet moment of calm and thankfulness.

It was interesting to reflect on the passage of time – the holiday weeks came and went in the twinkling of an eye, as usual, and the Moonlight White had aged well in the past year, turning noticeably darker and mellower.

I’m finishing off a post about the Moonlight White, by the way, which will be ready quite soon, all being well. It really is a very nice tea, as well as being a very interesting one.

Watch this space, and keep that kettle on the boil…