Bel Downes (Coffeewith…)
@withdownes.bsky.social
Professional Linguist/Language Scientist, Australian, Ace, Newbie Stoic, Ex-evangelical, Climate Change Learner, Francophile, Hiking Poler. #ReframingFacialDifference
Substack: https://beldownes.substack.com?r=holl6&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
Substack: https://beldownes.substack.com?r=holl6&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
Had lunch with The Fellow’s family at the shopping centre, and after went to the little newsagent to look around.
First visit to shopping centre in five years…
Found this book that I’ve been looking for for ages, it was a cancelled order that had just been put on the shelf…
Happy here 👋☕️🇦🇺📚🏕️
First visit to shopping centre in five years…
Found this book that I’ve been looking for for ages, it was a cancelled order that had just been put on the shelf…
Happy here 👋☕️🇦🇺📚🏕️
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Had lunch with The Fellow’s family at the shopping centre, and after went to the little newsagent to look around.
First visit to shopping centre in five years…
Found this book that I’ve been looking for for ages, it was a cancelled order that had just been put on the shelf…
Happy here 👋☕️🇦🇺📚🏕️
First visit to shopping centre in five years…
Found this book that I’ve been looking for for ages, it was a cancelled order that had just been put on the shelf…
Happy here 👋☕️🇦🇺📚🏕️
Today I’m reading Hugh Mackay’s ‘Beyond Belief’. It’s been quite a journey staying off my feet, waiting for them to heal - so I’ve been journeying in other ways.
(Rather than tripping… My mind is the better for it…) 👋☕️🇦🇺
(Rather than tripping… My mind is the better for it…) 👋☕️🇦🇺
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Today I’m reading Hugh Mackay’s ‘Beyond Belief’. It’s been quite a journey staying off my feet, waiting for them to heal - so I’ve been journeying in other ways.
(Rather than tripping… My mind is the better for it…) 👋☕️🇦🇺
(Rather than tripping… My mind is the better for it…) 👋☕️🇦🇺
It’s 6:50am. We are at a cafe. The Fellow has his last exam - property law - this morning at 9am. He’s in his last year, so it may be his last exam ever.
I’m so ridiculously proud of this guy 👋☕️🇦🇺
I’m so ridiculously proud of this guy 👋☕️🇦🇺
November 4, 2025 at 7:59 PM
It’s 6:50am. We are at a cafe. The Fellow has his last exam - property law - this morning at 9am. He’s in his last year, so it may be his last exam ever.
I’m so ridiculously proud of this guy 👋☕️🇦🇺
I’m so ridiculously proud of this guy 👋☕️🇦🇺
Just ‘talking through’ it now. This is part of what it’s said…
I’ll keep using AI, but please be careful in there… 👋☕️🇦🇺
I’ll keep using AI, but please be careful in there… 👋☕️🇦🇺
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Just ‘talking through’ it now. This is part of what it’s said…
I’ll keep using AI, but please be careful in there… 👋☕️🇦🇺
I’ll keep using AI, but please be careful in there… 👋☕️🇦🇺
With my Linguist hat on, this is why AI is dangerous when used as a therapist. I use it to think through tasks that need a lot of research. I give it boundaries that say ‘case study’ not therapy & use good sources
And it just sent my this. It’s due to programming and algorithms
This chills me 😳
And it just sent my this. It’s due to programming and algorithms
This chills me 😳
November 4, 2025 at 1:33 AM
With my Linguist hat on, this is why AI is dangerous when used as a therapist. I use it to think through tasks that need a lot of research. I give it boundaries that say ‘case study’ not therapy & use good sources
And it just sent my this. It’s due to programming and algorithms
This chills me 😳
And it just sent my this. It’s due to programming and algorithms
This chills me 😳
I didn’t wait until the start of next year to begin a reflection time.
Breathe, gratitude, daily reflection, takeaways, actions to do, check in with myself, pack up get up.
At the moment, I’m doing a mix of ‘The Daily Stoic’ and a great Critical Thinking guide.
A great way to start the day…
👋☕️🇦🇺
Breathe, gratitude, daily reflection, takeaways, actions to do, check in with myself, pack up get up.
At the moment, I’m doing a mix of ‘The Daily Stoic’ and a great Critical Thinking guide.
A great way to start the day…
👋☕️🇦🇺
November 1, 2025 at 10:35 PM
I didn’t wait until the start of next year to begin a reflection time.
Breathe, gratitude, daily reflection, takeaways, actions to do, check in with myself, pack up get up.
At the moment, I’m doing a mix of ‘The Daily Stoic’ and a great Critical Thinking guide.
A great way to start the day…
👋☕️🇦🇺
Breathe, gratitude, daily reflection, takeaways, actions to do, check in with myself, pack up get up.
At the moment, I’m doing a mix of ‘The Daily Stoic’ and a great Critical Thinking guide.
A great way to start the day…
👋☕️🇦🇺
Currently happening in a cafe near me…
Real cafe latte 👋☕️🇦🇺
Real cafe latte 👋☕️🇦🇺
October 31, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Currently happening in a cafe near me…
Real cafe latte 👋☕️🇦🇺
Real cafe latte 👋☕️🇦🇺
Currently happening with bonus law student prepping for his open book exam 👋☕️🇦🇺
Also finished a month of antibiotics last night so really enjoying this beef and sauerkraut toastie and latte on oat.
Also finished a month of antibiotics last night so really enjoying this beef and sauerkraut toastie and latte on oat.
October 21, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Currently happening with bonus law student prepping for his open book exam 👋☕️🇦🇺
Also finished a month of antibiotics last night so really enjoying this beef and sauerkraut toastie and latte on oat.
Also finished a month of antibiotics last night so really enjoying this beef and sauerkraut toastie and latte on oat.
Two weeks later…
Back at the cafe
Badly needed this coffee.
And they missed me too
👋☕️🇦🇺
Back at the cafe
Badly needed this coffee.
And they missed me too
👋☕️🇦🇺
October 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Two weeks later…
Back at the cafe
Badly needed this coffee.
And they missed me too
👋☕️🇦🇺
Back at the cafe
Badly needed this coffee.
And they missed me too
👋☕️🇦🇺
So just now I had this for lunch:
It was delicious.
You’re welcome… 😎🇦🇺
It was delicious.
You’re welcome… 😎🇦🇺
October 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
So just now I had this for lunch:
It was delicious.
You’re welcome… 😎🇦🇺
It was delicious.
You’re welcome… 😎🇦🇺
Also, even though I dress like Steve Jobs, I did buy these spiffy fluro bamboo work socks. Because you always need happy socks! 👋☕️🇦🇺
October 10, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Also, even though I dress like Steve Jobs, I did buy these spiffy fluro bamboo work socks. Because you always need happy socks! 👋☕️🇦🇺
In today’s great news: After a fortnight (2 weeks) of not leaving the house, my left foot is healing well and…
I picked up my new boot today!
Ironically it’s a tradie ‘non-safety’ boot because the steel safety cap toe in my last boot injured my foot 🤦🏼♀️ 🤷😳
This boot balances my moon boot well 👋☕️🇦🇺
I picked up my new boot today!
Ironically it’s a tradie ‘non-safety’ boot because the steel safety cap toe in my last boot injured my foot 🤦🏼♀️ 🤷😳
This boot balances my moon boot well 👋☕️🇦🇺
October 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
In today’s great news: After a fortnight (2 weeks) of not leaving the house, my left foot is healing well and…
I picked up my new boot today!
Ironically it’s a tradie ‘non-safety’ boot because the steel safety cap toe in my last boot injured my foot 🤦🏼♀️ 🤷😳
This boot balances my moon boot well 👋☕️🇦🇺
I picked up my new boot today!
Ironically it’s a tradie ‘non-safety’ boot because the steel safety cap toe in my last boot injured my foot 🤦🏼♀️ 🤷😳
This boot balances my moon boot well 👋☕️🇦🇺
Life side quest achieved this morning: Got to the cafe early and got the last Vegemite and cheese pastry scroll - as a bonus the barista knew my order (Oat Latte) before I said it.
I’m a happy little Vegemite…
👋☕️🇦🇺
I’m a happy little Vegemite…
👋☕️🇦🇺
September 16, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Life side quest achieved this morning: Got to the cafe early and got the last Vegemite and cheese pastry scroll - as a bonus the barista knew my order (Oat Latte) before I said it.
I’m a happy little Vegemite…
👋☕️🇦🇺
I’m a happy little Vegemite…
👋☕️🇦🇺
What I did today in an imperfect yet mostly sensible country that takes coffee a bit too seriously and yet not seriously enough
👋☕️🇦🇺:
👋☕️🇦🇺:
September 12, 2025 at 6:36 AM
What I did today in an imperfect yet mostly sensible country that takes coffee a bit too seriously and yet not seriously enough
👋☕️🇦🇺:
👋☕️🇦🇺:
Currently happening. Long black coffee with a friend… 👋☕️🇦🇺
September 4, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Currently happening. Long black coffee with a friend… 👋☕️🇦🇺
I just learned something that I will remind myself of every day I hear their ‘do your homework’…
That little March for Arrogance thing didn’t apply for permits in Newcastle NSW but decided to meet anyway…
The little pack had to move because others actually did apply for and receive permits…
🥸🇦🇺❤️🤣
That little March for Arrogance thing didn’t apply for permits in Newcastle NSW but decided to meet anyway…
The little pack had to move because others actually did apply for and receive permits…
🥸🇦🇺❤️🤣
August 31, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I just learned something that I will remind myself of every day I hear their ‘do your homework’…
That little March for Arrogance thing didn’t apply for permits in Newcastle NSW but decided to meet anyway…
The little pack had to move because others actually did apply for and receive permits…
🥸🇦🇺❤️🤣
That little March for Arrogance thing didn’t apply for permits in Newcastle NSW but decided to meet anyway…
The little pack had to move because others actually did apply for and receive permits…
🥸🇦🇺❤️🤣
Currently happening in a thoughtful place (I’ve already taken a sip, couldn’t wait!):
👋☕️🇦🇺
👋☕️🇦🇺
August 15, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Currently happening in a thoughtful place (I’ve already taken a sip, couldn’t wait!):
👋☕️🇦🇺
👋☕️🇦🇺
I regularly go to businesses and a big busy cafe in a nearby suburb here in Australia and this morning everyone in the neighbourhood is happy, friendly and bright on a cold winter’s day… with all the awful stuff happening in the world, it’s quite lovely here and now…
Appreciating this 👋☕️🇦🇺❤️
Appreciating this 👋☕️🇦🇺❤️
July 24, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I regularly go to businesses and a big busy cafe in a nearby suburb here in Australia and this morning everyone in the neighbourhood is happy, friendly and bright on a cold winter’s day… with all the awful stuff happening in the world, it’s quite lovely here and now…
Appreciating this 👋☕️🇦🇺❤️
Appreciating this 👋☕️🇦🇺❤️
Bear and the Beard from Seven Miles… ❤️☕️
June 26, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Bear and the Beard from Seven Miles… ❤️☕️
This morning’s homemade Australian coffee is magic.
Freshly ground beans, brewed with a V60 switch, no hint of bitterness… 👋🇦🇺☕️
Freshly ground beans, brewed with a V60 switch, no hint of bitterness… 👋🇦🇺☕️
June 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
This morning’s homemade Australian coffee is magic.
Freshly ground beans, brewed with a V60 switch, no hint of bitterness… 👋🇦🇺☕️
Freshly ground beans, brewed with a V60 switch, no hint of bitterness… 👋🇦🇺☕️
Your moment of Australian morning… 👋☕️🇦🇺
May 16, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Your moment of Australian morning… 👋☕️🇦🇺
Australia, go get your flu shot… 🇦🇺💉
If you have a chronic illness (like Diabetes) it is free.
Here’s a shot of my post shot shot…
If you have a chronic illness (like Diabetes) it is free.
Here’s a shot of my post shot shot…
May 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Australia, go get your flu shot… 🇦🇺💉
If you have a chronic illness (like Diabetes) it is free.
Here’s a shot of my post shot shot…
If you have a chronic illness (like Diabetes) it is free.
Here’s a shot of my post shot shot…
Antony Green has just called the Australian Federal election for Labor and Albanese 😁❤️🇦🇺
May 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Antony Green has just called the Australian Federal election for Labor and Albanese 😁❤️🇦🇺
Currently happening in a cafe near me right now. Today with bonus friend 👋🇦🇺☕️
May 2, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Currently happening in a cafe near me right now. Today with bonus friend 👋🇦🇺☕️
Me: I can’t accept a new work contract this year, back in 2026
Boss: Glad you said this because we can’t offer you a contract again because contracting has changed
(it’s not you)
Still processing. A little teary but totally fine. I’m not seeing this as retirement, time to do some other things 👋☕️🇦🇺
Boss: Glad you said this because we can’t offer you a contract again because contracting has changed
(it’s not you)
Still processing. A little teary but totally fine. I’m not seeing this as retirement, time to do some other things 👋☕️🇦🇺
April 15, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Me: I can’t accept a new work contract this year, back in 2026
Boss: Glad you said this because we can’t offer you a contract again because contracting has changed
(it’s not you)
Still processing. A little teary but totally fine. I’m not seeing this as retirement, time to do some other things 👋☕️🇦🇺
Boss: Glad you said this because we can’t offer you a contract again because contracting has changed
(it’s not you)
Still processing. A little teary but totally fine. I’m not seeing this as retirement, time to do some other things 👋☕️🇦🇺