The Nest at Magpies, Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot

Christmas is many things to many people.  It's many things to me, but family, friends and traditions are a large part of it.  So, after carols by candlelight yesterday, nothing was nicer than today to be shopping in the market for fresh fruit and veg, cream, scones, mincepies.  Then to bump into a friend you haven't seen for ages and chat in the rain.  Then to head for a pre-arranged meeting with my oldest friend (she'll kill me!) and for us to head to the Nest for coffee.  At one time we met every week there but now it's just when I'm visiting.  It's reassuringly the same.  Plenty of space, the same lovely ceramic Christmas trees on the tables, the outrageous parrot standard lamp in the corner.  The nice coffee.  Were the cheese scones slightly smaller?  Doesn't matter - The Nest is a tradition!

We sat for an hour as we used to do and chatted.  The world has changed in so many ways, we need the reassurance of familiar things.  Then we got up to go.  I would have put my coat on and been away, but my good friend headed for the counter - we hadn't paid!  That's want friends are for - keeping you right, not paying for everything, that is!

So, that's it, I'm happy - and a merry Christmas to one and all!

Northside Diner at Fenwicks, Newcastle upon Tyne

I spotted this one earlier in the year on my walk through Fenwicks but it took Christmas and two friends who like all things American and 1950s to make a visit happen.  Here's how it went.

After a little local difficulty with the lift (I was pressing the staff-only button) we finally made it to the 3rd floor and negotiated our way past racks of oh-so-cute children's wear to the Diner.  Ignoring the 'please wait to be seated' notice, my pals spotted a free booth and in no time we were sitting on red and white bench seats round a table.  The semi-circular seats opposite looked equally comfy (next time!).  One of the cheerful staff soon caught up with us and brought menus. 

The menu told of hot dogs, burgers, nachos as well as apple pie, waffles and milkshakes, chocolate and coffee, oh and tea as a sop to the Brits.  After much debate I chose apple pie and hot chocolate while my friends chose chocolate milkshakes and waffles.

The above were served quickly and efficiently by yet more cheerful staff - and so young! - and I have to report everything we ordered was good.  The hot choc came with whipped cream and marshmallows, the apple pie with cream and icecream.  I am reliably informed that the milkshakes were everything a good old fashioned milkshake should be and extremely chocolatey.  The waffles had to be shared out as the portion sizes were very generous.

Going back?  For the nachos, definitely, and I hope I don't have to wait until next Christmas!

Mac 'n' Alli's, Westoe Crown Village, South Shields

If you've ever wondered where all the yummy mummies in South Shields hang out, this is the place!  What could be better than a nice cafe close to the primary school and with free parking just outside?  I've had this one in my sights for a while and have hinted to a couple of friends that it would be good to try it, but no-one took the bait and so I had to go alone.  Here goes...

First impressions, perhaps a bit off the beaten track, but good parking and a good trade too by the looks of things.  When I arrived all the window tables and the sofas were taken and I had to sit at one of the tables near the counter.  Not that that was a bad thing as it gave me chance to examine the menu and the clientele without being too obvious.

Mac 'n' Alli's is part cafe, part gift shop, part community hub.  The menu is simple - they obviously concentrate on doing a few things well rather than lots of things indifferently.  I chose a cup of tea and a slice of Brooklyn black-out cake (no, I hadn't either) and enjoyed every last sugary bit of it at my colourful table, sipping tea from my vintage mis-matched china.  The gift shop bit does wellies, mugs with mottos, cards, fab patchwork upholstered armchairs and boasts its own knitted sign - really! - and vintage and upcycled bits and pieces adorn the walls (all for sale, I think).  Community hub?  Well the mummies use it as the village green, and there's a couple of shelves of paperback books labelled 'book swap' so the recycling idea  is carried on from the gift section.

Would I go back?  I would, and for the gifts as well as the coffee.  It's definitely one to bear in mind for a treat with a friend.  In fact while I was there in walked a friend of a friend and that same friend's cousin.  No excuses from now on!  If her cousin can go there, so can she!