Not only, but also

Strange the ways that life leads us down towards yet more cafe experiences and inner wisdom, grasshopper (for those old enough to remember that programme).  Who could have guessed that this week would have led me to tea with a bishop, a doctor and a former American president?  OK, it didn't exactly but it sounds good doesn't it?  Here's what really happened.

A friend and I decided on a trip to Durham.  It was meant to be window shopping only, but y'know, and then we decided to stop for coffee. We decided against the ever popular Vennells and my own favourite Cafe Nine Altars and strolled up to Palace Green.  And there before us, was Bishop Cosin's Almshouses where a pot of tea for two and two slices of cake will set you back a tenner.  That should keep marauding armies at bay.  Yes, the cake was fab and made by Lottie McPhee's but even so.

In complete contrast, a text the following day led me to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle to visit a friend.  Once the initial concern over said friend's condition had been allayed, I felt free to wander to the cafe for a drink.  Have you been to the RVI?  It is palatial. Costa coffee. And there could have been a doctor there.  Memories came flooding back of visits to another outpatient department many years ago with my father.  The place was like a bear pit, with a lone WRVS lady stranded in the maelstrom protected only by her twinset and pearls, as the sick and the lame barged to their clinics.  Dad used his walking stick to good effect to reach the diabetic clinic for a blood test and a video on the evils of refined sugar by the late Sir Harry Secombe. With youth on my side, I slid to the canteen for a cup of instant and a Mars bar served by yet more WRVS ladies who had hoisted a Union Jack and resolved to die fighting. 

And the president?  Well, I went to Washington Arts Centre where my friends and I were served slightly grudgingly we felt.  There were three of us and only two muffins (not much else!), but we were civilised and chose KitKats instead.  The setting is marvellous but they seem to be aiming for the lunch trade rather than coffee and snacks.

So, none of these are The Place for this week.  Where will it be?  Today or tomorrow all will be revealed.