Three cheers for coffee

Push it real good! Cafetierres are the best! One of my favourite places to get my favourite cafetierre coffees is The Victorian Tea Rooms in town. There are around 5 different flavours and I love the Costa Ricca one. I love plunging the coffee and I love the taste! There are always nice flowers on the table. The Little touches mean a lot. I love visiting here for the wide selection of homemade cakes. Their deep dish custard is gorgeous. I love to come here late afternoon and read my book. Everyone is so friendly and a hour with my head in a book, slurping quality coffee flies by. There are a few more local places that offer a cafetiere locally but not many. One of the best is my lovely friend's house and she keeps her coffee in the fridge. Must Google that one! Cafewise though, A wonderful one is Wentworth Garden Centre that offers a cafetierre for two. If no-one wants one, I have one for myself! Why ever not? There must be something in the air at Wentworth because ...

I love to blog! I'm loving this blogging malarky! Sipping coffee and writing till my heart's content! It is so therapeutic. You write for personal reasons. You are your own audience and your own critic. My lovely friend Vicky who pushed me to do this (in a nice way) has said some lovely comments about my writing which have fair warmed my cockles. I really hope that isn't a rude saying! To say I have an English degree, I get all my common sayings and idioms mixed up. I know what I mean in my own head! In fact, I'm not your typical English graduate/ teacher. Other then I wear attire that would suit a professor who cares more about the contents of her bookshelf than her wardrobe. I keep saying I'm going to write my misquoted idioms down and write a book one day! I also love writing modern angst ridden, non rhyming poetry. This stemmed from my degree days when the likes of Carol Ann Duffy and Wendy Cope set off a fire in me. I'd write on the train, bus, t...

Book Clubs rule! First rule of book club? You don't have to read the book, just watch the film! Only joking. That did happen at our 2nd meet at the wonderfully named Happily Ever After book club. The book in question was Chocolat by the local author, Joanne Harris. I am sorry to admit this but I hadn't read the book or watched the film. When my friend and I excitedly entered the room, thinking of the handmade chocolate delights and endless cups of teas ahead of us, we froze. There in front of us were teams and quiz papers! Ooops. Should have read the hardback you've had on your bookshelf for years. At least watched the film and drooled over Johnny Depp. We sat down nervously, hoping someone had read it. Most had watched the film but that just confused the table. Alas, one lady had done her homework and deserved all our rations of chocolate later. We didn't win but vowed to read next month's book. A month later, we both walked in rather smugly, clutching our...

Pour some coffee on me in the name of love! Had a lovely visit to the new cafe Bar in town called Pour Cafe. Named this because it serves coffee and gin. I only noticed later that the number 22 is in the logo as that is the shop number. Clever! We loved it straight away. We ordered sandwiches and I had the special Pour 22 toastie with everything chucked in. I asked for a strong coffee so was given a double macchiato Americano and was impressed! There was a good range of cakes and desserts. I can never make a decision so my friend ordered a piece of chocolate orange cake and we shared. It was so yummy! I noticed they did a coffee loyalty card so made a mental note to ask for one at the end. To add to my ever growing pile of loyalty cards. When I look at this pile, I think I need help and fast. We sat in the window and looked across at the sixth formers, carefree and young. To be that age again would be amazing. Just to go back for a week, read some books, write some essays ...

It's not so grim up North you know? When I was trying to get inspiration for my blog, this well known saying popped into my head and I thought, it isn't so grim up here. We are so lucky to have such picturesque villages up north. Narrowing it down to our local area, we can step out into little villages with gift shops, antique centres and public houses. There are off road tracks to walk along as you hear the church bells ringing in the hour. I found this with Cawthorne a few weeks ago. I was walking with my friend to Cawthorne Park and was led a special way that only a local would know. We visited the orchard which looked gorgeous in the sun. Then we walked past the village store and cafe, bumping into the lady delivering her home grown wild flower arrangements. Onwards down the steep hill, past the allotments full of busy people chopping and planting, ready for a pint of cold beer at the local pub. Still onwards past the little brook and over a bridge to the cricket pitch...

Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky This is the start of my fave poem by T.S.Eliot. it feels so carefree. Let's just go anywhere we want to, any time of day. These first lines are in stark contrast with the rest of the poem and they've always stayed with me. I love travelling locally and around Yorkshire to little, quirky villages and sprawling coastlines hiding beautiful, nostalgic bays. I love tripping off for the day. Sometimes seeing where the mood takes us and staying on until after the sun has set. On these days, there's no clock watching and no routine. The hardest questions are: Where is the nearest loo? Have I got change to pay for the loo? I grew up on magical days like this. Mainly to the East Coast but sometimes to Blackpool on a cold October day to see the amazing Illuminations and dance in Blackpool tower. These spontaneous trips filled with laughter and love shaped my childhood and we continue with them now. We just ...

Let's hear it for cafes! Meadowhall has many lovely cafes. We love to visit different ones each time such as M&S, Costa, Starbucks, Pret and Cafe Nero. There are some smaller chains we love to visit like Coffika. The coffee is top notch and the square cakes taste divine. We keep saying we are going to sit upstairs but never do! The decor is fresh and soothing. I could just have one of their coffees now! Further down from here is the fab cafe called Second Cup. This cafe has such a variety of coffee flavours and lovely savouries and cakes. I've visited a few times but only realised the motif the other day was a maple leaf so I googled and it's Canadian. I messaged my Canadian friend I was having a coffee and raising it to her. Miss my coffee buddy so it reminds me of her now when I come here. I think I actually still owe her a coffee and cake! Oops! I realised the name suits me because I'm always pushing for that second cup, wherever I am and whoever I'm w...

Addicted to caffeine Might as well face it really! I'm addicted to coffee. I'm in deep. I can't sleep. No wonder with all those cups you've had today. I'm sure Robert Palmer would not have sung those lyrics! I love going on Pinterest and finding coffee/ tea quotes and this fits me like a glove. I love the smell of coffee beans roasting and the taste of liquid coffee so much. Yet pass me a box of chocolates and that is my least favourite flavour, along with any fruit creams. My fave chocolate at the mo is hotel chocolat and I love the mojito six packs. Let's face it. Who doesn't love a six pack? They are quite lethal though when you bite into them! I do love chocolate but I'm still more of a savoury person. Give me a buffet any day. Yes. The whole buffet. I do strategically sit near enough to keep nibbling on the vol au vents without anybody noticing. Or so you think! Meadowhall has everything for choccy lovers. Apart from the Cadbury outlet...

Carry on coffeeing! We love it at Fox Valley. It is lovely place to visit, especially in the Summer with the fountains on and the outdoor markets selling tasty local produce. There are a variety of fab shops like Paperchase, Seasalt and next. We love the old fashioned department store, Sanderson that takes you back in time with the uniformed door men. Joanna Lumley opened this outdoor shopping centre and their are pictures of the lovely lady on one wall. We also love the smaller, Family run boutiques such as Sorelle jewellers full of ranges like Danon and Orli. Their love heart pieces are stunning. The Little flower shop on the corner always has beautiful arrangements and unusual, wild flowers. As well as going to Zorros and both Costas, we love going to Ponti's restaurant. We normally sit outside now with the dogs, under the yellow canvas shelter, near the heater. We sometimes have breakfast or lunch. The risotto is gorgeous. Other times, we sit with a flat white and th...

Step back in time! One of my all time fave villages is Cawthorne. We used to visit my friend's grandma as a child and I always thought it was such a peaceful place. It has changed overcty years but kept this feeling of peace and tranquillity. It is a picture postcard village with many amenities: its post office and traditional sweet shop, gorgeous village pub, craft and gift shop, Antique centre, village store and tea rooms, bistro, churches and village hall. And more! We have been very lucky to visit the Cawthorne open gardens for the last two years with friends. The first year, we were on the last push. We'd been to Cannon Hall and saw the sign on our way home so asked to see just one garden.. We were not disappointed. We bought cream teas and settled on the lawn. After a game of croquet with friends we saw heee, we walked the outline of the garden, following the little stream. It was so beautiful and we stayed as long as we could! Monies go to charity and Cawthorne church...

Beautiful Bretton! We are so lucky to have such breathaking places to visit. Bretton Hall and its surrounding park are definitely stunning! I love the montage of photos I've taken recently, showing the marvellous variety of trees. Just wonderful! Like these photos too with the sculpture set against the trees. I love roses and these are beautiful. I used to go as a child and thought the field and lake went on forever! We'd take a picnic and stay all day till the sun was setting behind the trees. I loved the surprise of the contents of the picnic. It was great to see what flavour crisps you had and what the chocolate was. This was pre McDonald's! We'd gaze up at the massive stone sculptures and run around the wooden totem pole. Then we'd wonder around the magical, musical garden full of wooden, fairy chimes. It was such a magical place of beauty when we were little, with the wind whistling through the towering trees. I had an amazing imagination bac...

Wentworth Garden Centre Over the years, this place has really flourished and is a lovely afternoon out. We love the garden centre outside with its gorgeous hanging baskets and collection of pots. I can easily spend an hour inside looking at household things: ornaments, candles, teacups and tins. They have a great range of jewellery, bags and scarves. I love looking over the conserves at the mouthwatering jams and chutney. The best part is the book and jigsaw corner. They have a good selection of books for children and I have found some good mystery/ drama fiction that I have enjoyed. The place is great for children with the family farm, the playground and the carousel ride. This is the place where I was stung by a wasp for the first, and I hope, last time! The pet shop is also a good place for children. We love to walk through to the garden and get lost in the maize. The garden is stunning and I always say I want to work in the little photographer's building with its patio d...

Worth visiting Wentworth! We love Wentworth village and it always reminds me of Miss Marple as we turn into the beautiful village with its little cottages and green doors. As you travel along the main road, you pass the little village shop, the bistro, the tea rooms and the old post office, expecting the sleuth herself to walk out with her straw hat on and basket in hand. The two pubs are in keeping with this era and the ivy climbing up the walls looks ancient. The church is a grand sight to look at with its avenue leading up to the church door. Spring is a good time to see daffodils swaying ibn the breeze. We love the tearooms and sometimes have to wait for a table so use this time to walk up and down the village, admiring the lovely houses and buildings. When we reach Paradise Square, we always stop and stare in wonder. What a very apt name for this little square of cottages. The lawns are all sheltered by the houses and are full of a variety of flowers. What a tranquil scene. Fu...

Pot House Hamlet and The Potting Shed We are so lucky to have so many dog friendly places to visit. Pot House Hamlet at Silkstone is dog friendly and has a marvellous pet shop and groomers called Ruperts. We have seen the garden centre expand and then the Potting Shed open. The garden centre is lovely and has gorgeous hanging baskets. It also has a fab little card shop, full of every occasion. It takes me back to my childhood when thank you and acceptance cards were kept in little baskets. We love to visit the boutique Pookie. It has such lovely clothes, scarves, jewellery and bags. There is a little gift shop too with gorgeous jewellery and picture frames. We always visit Ruperts and on special occasions, get a doggy bun for the dog! The groomers do a marvellous job and everyone is so friendly. We love to visit the animals near here. The llamas are fab! The Potting Shed is a special place and lovely to eat at any time of day. Breakfasts are always a great choice, especially E...