Joe, thanks you for an interesting post. I know something - but not very much! - about tea but I'll be the first to admit my palate for the stuff is pretty unrefined. In SE Asia where I now live it's mostly Chinese teas (which I find pretty impenetrable) and TWG blends (which as far as I can tell is simply a copy of my beloved Mariage Freres). What is it about these teas that you love? How did you learn about them? And when/how do you drink them? Oh - and where did the tea growing guru go?
Congratulations on your watch finds in Paris too. Very exciting, both of them! I keep getting the impression it's a great city for vintage shopping...better than the Burlington Arcade, at least...
Best
E.