Mr Wood's Coffee, Railway Street, North Shields

We'd just finished the North Shields Heritage Trail when we spotted this one nestling near to the metro station.  Inside: muted colours, rounded armchairs, wooden floors.  Outside:  cafe-style tables and chairs on the pavement, and on this day drenched in golden sunshine.

We sat out - unusual for us - and enjoyed our tea and cake all the more for the sunshine and for knowing that two teas and a caramel slice cost us only £2.50!

Washington Old Hall, National Trust

A Bank holiday weekend means cafes galore!  This is the first one.  Big Bro and I headed here as he hadn't ticked the property off on his National Trust list.  I'd been before but found it better this time somehow.  We enjoyed the rooms and the nuttery gardens before heading for the tearoom.

Now, I'm sure Big Bro won't mind me saying that he often refers to the 'usual National Trust chaos' in a NT property tearoom.  Often we are talking lots of ladies in mob caps falling over each other and getting confused about who's made the tea (or not). 

However, the tearoom at Washington is run by volunteers.  There is a cheery outside eating area and inside the room is light and bright.  No sofas!  Mismatched china just like your granny had!  Bargain ornaments, jewellery and books!  The tea and cake slipped down very nicely. Everything was reasonably priced. There was no chaos to be seen, and what's more you can visit the tearoom and gardens for free, so there really is no reason not to visit.

Cafe Cenno, Durham Indoor Market

It's ages since I've been to Durham, but recently I was there with a friend who I'm discovering shares my views about browsing shops and cafes.  Did she choose to go to a cafe she already knew?  No sir, she suggested the cafe in the Indoor Market!  And as I'd never been there either, it was a voyage of discovery all round.

OK, so it's upstairs but you can get the lift up.  OK, so there are sofas but they are more kind of corner seats and very comfortable.  And you can look over the whole market - it's a great atmosphere.  And the food was great and there was plenty of choice.  We opted for beef mince pie with mushy peas and chips and we weren't disappointed.

There was a notice too stating that free cake could be had with every large coffee purchased while stocks lasted.  I don't know if that's a daily thing or just for special occasions but I'd keep an eye out for an offer like that.

It's a good 'un! 

The Banks of the Tyne, Wallsend

It's holiday time!  That means coffee time!  And so it was off to the north side of the river (I must not say the dark side.  I must not say the dark side) to meet a young friend.  We chose TBOTT because it was near and I was late, having parked in completely the wrong place and what did we find?  Well, it was a down to earth workaday place.  Very well used and obviously a lot of valued customers which always gets a gold star in my book.  We had coffee and hot chocolate respectively but forswore the cake.  Not because it didn't look nice, but just because the lady serving us took our drinks order and then didn't ask if we wanted anything else.  Not that I'm a shy bairn or anything like that, but it just proves the customer service point - always ask it there is anything else!

Would I go back?  Well, if I ever find myself on the dark side again I might be tempted by the £1.99 all day breakfast!

Denton Coffee House, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne

Let's start with the cake, shall we?  Nice texture and covered with icing and cream - what could be nicer?  Nothing in Grace's world!  The nice lady that runs the Denton Coffee House told me that the cake was made with yogurt and that kept it moist and lovely.  I liked the oranges and lemons on the cream too, nice touch.

So, having established that the cake will be more than enough to draw me back to this establishment again, let's tell you a little more about the place itself.  You'll feel right at home.  Why? Because it's filled with furniture just like you have in your house (I'll pause here while you check that yours is still there!).  Yes, there were three piece suites, coffee tables and dining tables too, so plenty of choice.  Those who know me well can picture me at the proper dining table, but the young family in at the same time as me were happily seated on the sofa and chairs round a coffee table just like home.

What's more, there are things to buy too bric a brac, jewellery, books.  Do you know what - if I was running a cafe it would be just like this!  Bright and breezy, everything on the menu (if you must have savoury it's there, but cake comes first for me), and my pre-loved goods on sale.

In my wilder moments I imagine it on the site of an old Roman coffee shop where the legionaries used to pop in for an amphora or two before heading further along the Wall to Housesteads (I know, I know) but ancient or modern this little cafe is an asset to Denton Burn.

South Mimms Service Station, M25

Been on a jaunt to see the relatives today, it's a trek I haven't made for some time, so when Big Brother suggested we pull in at South Mimms it was a bit of a trip down memory lane.  We used to stop here on annual trips through with parents, sadly no longer with us.  We used to walk past the huge plaque announcing that the services were opened by Margaret Thatcher (where has that gone?).

Now the place seems larger, a bit more barn-like.  We made for the Eat-In eatery, and ordered coffee and muffins.  Actually we had a bargain.  The muffins were half price (£1) when purchased with coffee.  The coffee was very much to my taste as well, being mild and milky.  We sat at a time under the speaker blaring musak and surveyed the business meetings taking place nearby and the newly-arrived pensioners hobbling gamely towards the food offers.

The more cynical will believe that all services provide the same kind of service as Dick Turpin, and true, the coffee was slightly more expensive than in a high street shop, but that half price muffin made the morning with its tangy apricot pieces and moist cake mix.

We continued on our way rejoicing.

Street Spice festival, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne

As is usual with life, it's either all or nothing socially and I was wondering how, or indeed if, I could squeeze in a visit to the Street Spice festival.  It's been well publicised and had the very worthy aim of raising money for a brain tumour charity.  In the end the only time I could manage was a quick visit on Saturday early evening after work.   I'm glad I went. 

Parking in Westgate Road was easy and I cut through by the Settle Down cafe (qv) and was soon at the Centre for Life.  (I had also managed a quick raid on M&S, and was pleasantly surprised to see how busy the town was.  I'd popped in on Tuesday evening to find it very empty.  And so, sparing kind words of direction for lost North American tourists, I was on my way to Street Spice.)  The marquee was bustling and there was a discreet and reassuring security presence.  It was a little crowded what with buggies and all, but I managed to fight my way round and see the fine array of fare on offer.  But what to choose?  Play safe with a vegetable samosa?  Coffee and cake?  Buy chilli sauce for home use?  Jamican rum dumplings!  Could I then drive home?  Eventually I settled, for Vietnamese potato cakes courtesy of Electric East.  The lady serving was dressed to indoctrinate but probably not kill and the food was beautifully served in a little cardboard dish.  I took advice and added the sweet salsa and the yogurt dressing and stood in a corner and ate.

This was my introduction to Vietnamese food and I liked it.  I liked the tangy and tingly sensation on my lips and tongue, without the food being ;'hot' in a spicy way.  I could have carried on experiencing new food sensations had time and money permitted, but sadly I had to make that do.  Will the festival happen again?  I hope so, and judging by the crowds it would be a popular event.  Next time I will allow much more time and go along with a fat wallet and a thin waistline and watch them change places!