Babette Update and Sage is Back
7 August 2021
Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director
Babette update
I'm very pleased to say that as I write, sitting on our sofa at home with Babette lying in her "super hospital bed" less than 2 feet away from me, she is still alive and arguably in a far better mental state then she has been for a week or so.
And this courtesy of the love and support that we (Jonathan, Jeanne, Josie and I) are lavishing on her, but also the quite incredible care and love (not a word I use often or lightly) that NHS nurses, doctors, Marie Curie nurses and our local surgery have shown her and us. Not to mention our neighbours, who have kept us fed and watered with freshly made bread, whole meals and even an extremely passable bottle of claret (much better than the stuff I usually drink) in there somewhere.
What we are going through is extremely difficult and challenging (British understatement), but at least this week there are four of us at home to care for her and that certainly makes a huge difference. But of course I am, I've had remind myself, in full time, gainful employment, or least I think I am! But for the last two weeks they have managed completely without me and Jeanne, and in small teams such as ours, that is quite a feat. So a very big thank you to all of them who have worked extra hours or made special arrangements of one kind or another to enable Jeanne and I to stay at home with Babette.
Sage is back
After a hiatus lasting 18 months-ish, the Australian Brand, Sage, has returned to our shelves, I am very pleased to say. The reasons for this gap are not entirely clear even now, but certainly one of them is a timing issue. They, unfortunately, chose to start distributing their ranges themselves in the UK (rather than through Beam, the original distributer) right at the start of the pandemic and I believe that this, along with unexpected warehousing problems, lead to a dearth of product availability.
What I can say, briefly, about Sage products is that they have two characteristics which are the reasons I chose the brand in the first place. One, the quality is very high, which their guarantees tend to bear out. And secondly, nearly all of them are not only well or cleverly designed, but also have unique features that other manufacturers haven't thought of, that are designed to make your life easier or more satisfactory in some way.
However, as with last week's email, I've very little time to write to you again so I'm going to let the chart below do the talking. I think it's true to say our teams in Reigate and Cobham will be able to dredge up enough from their memory banks to be able to answer most questions you may have, or they'll find out if they don't know the answer (if, and when, the memory banks fail!).
Our pricing will, for the most part, be the same or similar to, or better than, all the big discount retailers, but do let us know if we've missed something and we'll price match, in all likelihood.
| Sage Barista Touch Coffee Machine | Sage The Bambino Plus | Sage The Barista Pro | Sage The Barista Express | Sage Creatista Plus | |
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| View product › | View product › | View product › | View product › | View product › | |
| Automatic Espresso | Manual Espresso | Nespresso | |||
| Dimensions (W x D x H) |
32.2 x 39.4 x 40.7 cm | 19.5 x 32 x 31 cm | 35.4 x 41 x 40.6 cm | 32.5 x 31 x 40 cm | 16.8 x 41.4 x 31 cm |
| Capacity | Bean Hopper capacity: 250 g Water Tank capacity: 2 L |
Water tank 1.9 L (64 fl.oz) | Bean Hopper capacity: 227 g Water Tank capacity: 2 L |
Bean Hopper capacity: 250 g Water Tank capacity: 2 L |
Water Tank cpacity: 1.5 L Removeable Tank Capsule capacity: 12 used capsules |
| Materials | Brushed Stainless Steel BPA Free Water Tank |
Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Settings |
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Adjustable Grind Control Intuitive LCD Interface 1 & 2 Cup Volumetric Control |
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| Warranty | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 2 Year Limited Product Warranty | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 2 Year Repair or Replacement Warranty |
| Sage The Nutri Juicer Cold Plus | Sage The Big Squeeze | Sage Boss To Go | Sage The Kitchen Wizz 15 Pro Food Processor | |
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| View product › | View product › | View product › | View product › | |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) |
21.9 x 33.4 x 44.8 cm | 22.7 x 20.7 x 44.5 cm | 14.5 x 14.5 x 40 cm | 22.6 x 27.7 x 44.5 cm |
| Capacity | 2 L jug | N/A | 2 x Smooth Edge 500 mL Tritan® cups with Travel Lids | 3.7 L (large bowl) & 1 L (small bowl) |
| Materials | Brushed Stainless Steel |
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| Settings | 2 speed settings | Off/On–Forward/Reverse | 1 Speed | On and Pulse |
| Warranty | 2 year guarantee and 5 year motor guarantee | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee with 5 Year Limited Motor Guarantee | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 3 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee with 30 Year Limited Motor Guarantee |
| Sage The Fast Slow Pro | Sage The Smart Toast 2-Slice Toaster | Sage The Compact Kettle Pure | Sage The Smoking Gun | |
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| View product › | View product › | View product › | View product › | |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) |
35 x 35 x 32 cm | 29.5 x 21.8 x 19.1 cm | 20 x 15 x 19 cm | 27 x 61 x 16.1 cm |
| Capacity | 6L MAX / 1L MIN | 2 Slice Extra Wide capacity to suit all bread types | 1 L | N/A |
| Materials | Brushed Stainless Steel | Brushed Die-cast Metal Body | Stainless Steel & Duraglass™ | Die-cast Stainless Steel burn chamber and Silicon Smoke Tube |
| Settings |
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5 Settings including; 'A Bit More', 'Lift & Look' , Defrost & Bagel | On and Off | Dual Speed Fan |
| Warranty | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee | 2 Year Repair, Replace or Refund Guarantee |
Thanks
Lastly I'd like to thank you if you were one of the many people who left a message on the blog about Babette. We were all very touched by them as family and personally, a number brought tears to my eyes or a lump in my throat, as I read of memories and feelings that Babette has generated in others, who she has touched in her life.
Thank you.
Kind regards
Andrew
Dear Babette,
How many years ago was that you did the Alpha course with us? Too long long ago to count! We loved the directness of your questions, your enquiring mind and especially your sense of humour. The picture of you in my mind’s eye is always of you smiling – eyes twinkling!
Since then you and Andrew have improved our love of cooking and our ability in the kitchen! Lots of your wonderful products grace our shelves and are used daily: Demeyere, Riedel, Dunoon etc…& remind us of you.
We send our love to you and to all your family. Be assured we are praying for you to know God’s peace and love in these hardest of days .
Ali & Tony Baptiste
Dear Babette, Andrew and family. It’s wonderful to think of you all tucked up in your cocoon of love, which is in comparison with the last update, giving us warm feelings. We continue to send love your way as you navigate this very sweetly, painful time. With all our love,
Marlene and Peter
What you and Babette have documented these past 8 months is not easy to do. It’s a journey that others go through but don’t share. Thanks for being so open.
My thoughts are with you, Babette and your family.
I’m sorry I didn’t write something earlier especially to Babette.
This message is coming from across the pond in Canada. We lived in Surrey near Cobham for 4 years. I attended all 4 of Babette’s bread making classes back around 2016 -17. It was a fun laidback experience in your kitchen learning the art of making bread.
We moved back to Canada never thinking we’d return to reside in the UK again but it happened two years ago. I was looking forward to reconnecting with Babette and doing more classes. But of course the world changed and certainly her circumstances did as well. During the 1st Covid lockdown I pulled out her recipes but her ingredients were in short supply. Babette was kind to offer me the limited availability she had. I drove to your home to do a pick up and she greeted me with her typical jolly spirit and wide smile at the front porch. She wanted to chat and catch up so she pulled out a chair to sit down and we talked about the crazy world as I stood on the sidewalk. We would have hugged goodbye but of course that wasn’t possible.
We moved back to Canada this summer which for me was fortunate as my family dealt with the decline of a wonderful aunt (a nun by vocation) who was in hospice and passed away last week. She and Babette would have gotten along really well. Both people with wonderful human spirits and kindness who others are drawn to and were hospitable and generous. My aunt would have sent her prayers and blessings like she did with many people she ministered to.
Attending Babette’s classes is one of the great memories I have living in the UK. She will always be my petite french bread guru. Whenever I bake bread using the bakeware I got from you both I will remember her.
I hope she takes comfort in being in her own home and all of your family to surround each other with love.
Thank you for taking the time to share your family’s positive news with us.
As another writer has said, I too was dreading opening the e-mail on Saturday, thinking that it could be the worst news. I am so thrilled that Babette is back home with you and, thanks to all the help you are getting, you are all able to spend precious time together en famille! Every best wish. Noreen Hallam