Andrew Bluett-Duncan

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
Sage Barista Touch Coffee Machine Sage Bambino Plus Coffee Machine Sage Barista Pro Coffee Machine Sage Barista Express Coffee Machine Sage Creatista Plus Coffee Machine
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
  • Touch screen operation
  • 5 pre-programmed Café favourites
  • Create, save and name 6 customisable coffee settings
  • Adjustable Grind Control
  • Programmable Milk Temperature and Texture
  • One/Two Shots Hot Water
  • Control Panel: 1 Cup, 2 Cup and Steam button
  • Adjustable milk temperature and texture level
Adjustable Grind Control Intuitive LCD Interface 1 & 2 Cup Volumetric Control
  • Single or Double Shots
  • Adjustable Grind Amount & Manual over-ride
  • 3 programmable cup sizes (25, 40, 110 ml)
  • 8 texture levels & 11 milk temps
  • Programmable water hardness
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
Sage Nutri Juicer Cold Plus Sage The Big Squeeze Sage The Boss To Go Sage The Kitchen Wizz 15 Pro Food Processor
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
  • Tritan Juice Jug
  • Stainless steel mesh filter
  • ABS housing
  • Heavy Duty Die-cast Metal Base
  • Stainless Steel Blades
  • 2 x BPA-Free Smooth Edge Tritan Cups
  • Tight Fitting Sage Assist Lid
  • Die-cast Metal Base
  • Stainless Steel Blades
  • High Impact BPA-Free Bowl
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
Sage The Fast Slow Pro Sage The Smart Toast 2 Slice Toaster Sage The Compact Kettle Pure Sage The Smoking Gun
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
  • 11 Pressure cook settings plus a custom setting to suit your favorite recipes
  • High or Low Slow cook settings from 2 -12 hours
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
Explore all Sage products

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

117 comments

  • nick pilgrimAug 16, 2021

    Dear Andrew,
    although we’ve have not met I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to you and your family. My Son Sam and I spent a wonderful long weekend in the company of Babette some years ago in deepest, darkest Wales, on a mushroom hunting expedition! We were touched by her warmth of spirit, she was open hearted and generous in nature, and very much appeared to find the best in people – and was quick to overlook our short comings. We remain to this day in awe of the horde of Cepes she collected only a few weeks later, sharing the find with us via social media. I hope your period of grief will be short, and your loving and happy recollections long.
    The best of wishes to you all.

  • NickyAug 16, 2021

    Dear Andrew, I am so very sorry to learn of Babette’s recent passing. My thoughts are with you, Jeanne, Jonathon and Josie at this sad and difficult time.

  • Kevin SleggAug 16, 2021

    Dear Andrew & Family

    Our sincerest condolences for the sad passing of Babette.

  • Belinda CooperAug 15, 2021

    Dear Andrew and family … firstly I am so so sorry to hear about Babette’s passing and my love and thought are with you all …
    I did not ever meet Babette but felt I knew her (a bit!) through her messages, blogs and comments on your website …
    Knowledgeable, funny, kind are just a few of the words I feel described her … but mostly a wonderful wife and mother …
    May the wind be always at her back, may the sun shine always in her face and my her God keep her in the palm of his hand …

  • Jane LingAug 15, 2021

    I was deeply saddened to hear of the news of Babette and although we never met I did want to share with you a lovely chance phone call I had with her when I was trying to source a cream KitchenAid mixer for my daughter who incidentally introduced me to the Art of Living weekly updates and is a huge fan of your Reigate store. Over a year ago now my daughter was tested for the breast cancer BRCA1 gene and sadly got a positive result. She had been so brave in dealing with this diagnosis and so through Lockdown I wanted to buy her something special. Her dream was to own a KitchenAid and so with Babette’s help I was able to source one, even though they were in very short supply at the time. That short conversation with Babette was so indicative of what I have read since of her wonderful personality. So helpful, kind and caring. I immediately felt totally at ease in opening up about the reason for my purchase. Babette then very naturally told me of her own situation. Babette could not have been more understanding and supportive. She made an important purchase all the more special.
    I am so deeply sorry for your loss and send my deepest sympathy to your family and all the team at The Art of Living.

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