In contrast to the previous day today was dry and even warm!
Cafe Main, Cromer
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna, Marjorie, Naomi and Edward
Bought: Two coffees, two smoothies and three pieces of cake
Cost: Nanny paid! (Anyone notice a theme emerging?!)
Cafe: Functional, not unpleasant. We sat outside overlooking a road like yesterday but in the sunshine roads look much nicer it seems!
And: The cake was nice, the smoothies were really nice and the coffee was excellent. The loos were a long way away though.
Showing posts with label National. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National. Show all posts
Sunday, 29 August 2010
17th August 2010
Anna and I plotted an escape from the holiday house and the infestation of children! We walked into town with the express purpose of using a cash point (and having a coffee!)
Julios, Cromer
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Anna
Bought: A small coffee and a small tea
Cost: Anna paid (again! Thanks!)
Cafe: We sat outside as it was dry, albeit a bit gray and damp. The view wasn't much to write home about - a road. But there was no children and the chance of uninterrupted conversation!
But: It started to rain. At first it was just the odd spot but quite soon we were having to drink up as our cups were re-filling with rainwater!
And: The coffee (in its undiluted state) was pretty ok!
Julios, Cromer
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Anna
Bought: A small coffee and a small tea
Cost: Anna paid (again! Thanks!)
Cafe: We sat outside as it was dry, albeit a bit gray and damp. The view wasn't much to write home about - a road. But there was no children and the chance of uninterrupted conversation!
But: It started to rain. At first it was just the odd spot but quite soon we were having to drink up as our cups were re-filling with rainwater!
And: The coffee (in its undiluted state) was pretty ok!
14th August 2010- part two of two
Now this is more like it - a proper sneaky coffee!
Tides Restaurant, Cromer Pier
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Naomi
Served: by a waitress!
Bought: A filter coffee, juice for Naomi and a slice of carrot cake to share
Cost: £6 including a tip
Cafe: On the pier on a sunny day. Sat outside and smelled the briny spray, the sun on our skin and watched the waves roll in. Lovely.
And: lovely coffee, nice cake, a nice interlude with Naomi. Having four children does mean spending individual time with them can be a challenge
Tides Restaurant, Cromer Pier
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Naomi
Served: by a waitress!
Bought: A filter coffee, juice for Naomi and a slice of carrot cake to share
Cost: £6 including a tip
Cafe: On the pier on a sunny day. Sat outside and smelled the briny spray, the sun on our skin and watched the waves roll in. Lovely.
And: lovely coffee, nice cake, a nice interlude with Naomi. Having four children does mean spending individual time with them can be a challenge
14th August 2010 - part one of two
We are on holiday in Cromer with Simon's extended family. The house we're staying in has nine bedrooms and can technically sleep eighteen. There are fourteen of us. Our holiday house is immaculately decorated and I quickly wished I had photographed it when we first arrived before all our 'kid junk' started to clutter up the place! We had a sea view from almost every window and only a five minute walk into town. It promised to be a good week, with plenty of coffee!
Cromer Esplanade
This might not count as a sneaky coffee under normal circumstances but as the first 'coffee out' of the holiday I am going to include it anyway!
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna, Auntie Anna, Naomi, Edward, Susie, Cody and Kian
Bought: Eight donuts (I do realise there are only seven of us, but they came in bags of four) and a coffee
Cost: Anna paid - but it would have been about £4.75
Cafe: A caravan on the esplanade with patio chairs! A great sea view and in the sunshine it was quite pleasant!
And: Not great coffee, but the donuts were hot, fresh and sugary and the promise of a whole holiday stretching before us was enough to make me overlook slightly bland beverages!
Cromer Esplanade
This might not count as a sneaky coffee under normal circumstances but as the first 'coffee out' of the holiday I am going to include it anyway!
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna, Auntie Anna, Naomi, Edward, Susie, Cody and Kian
Bought: Eight donuts (I do realise there are only seven of us, but they came in bags of four) and a coffee
Cost: Anna paid - but it would have been about £4.75
Cafe: A caravan on the esplanade with patio chairs! A great sea view and in the sunshine it was quite pleasant!
And: Not great coffee, but the donuts were hot, fresh and sugary and the promise of a whole holiday stretching before us was enough to make me overlook slightly bland beverages!
Friday, 13 August 2010
12th August 2010
My National Trust membership has really been worth its weight in gold over the last week! As a child I was taken (dragged?) to NT places and I swore never to do that to my children. Now I take (drag?) my children to NT places regularly because they are free (or at least our pre-paid card gets us in free), educational, wholesome, etc etc....! The easiest way to make a NT visit palatable to them though is to combine it with a get together. Today we not only met my parents and Grannie but also my Uncle, Aunt and two cousins who although technically are the the same generation as me are much closer in age to my children and thus great favourites with them.
Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna, Ethan, Naomi, Edward and Susie; Mum, Dad and Grannie; Uncle Lloyd, Auntie Isobel, Mark and Tim
Bought: Our family had a cafetiere of coffee, two 'afternoon tea' for kids (carton of apple juice and a chocolate crispie cake), a glass of milk and a bottle of posh juice. Lactose intolerance has made cream tea a treat of the past.
Cost: Dad paid! Thanks Dad!
Cafe: In the actual hall - unusual and charming. A bit on the small side and we were lucky to get three tables on which to spread out.
And: I was on a table with Auntie Isobel, Tim and Susie. We had fun. Susie shared her drink and cake with her doll.
Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna, Ethan, Naomi, Edward and Susie; Mum, Dad and Grannie; Uncle Lloyd, Auntie Isobel, Mark and Tim
Bought: Our family had a cafetiere of coffee, two 'afternoon tea' for kids (carton of apple juice and a chocolate crispie cake), a glass of milk and a bottle of posh juice. Lactose intolerance has made cream tea a treat of the past.
Cost: Dad paid! Thanks Dad!
Cafe: In the actual hall - unusual and charming. A bit on the small side and we were lucky to get three tables on which to spread out.
And: I was on a table with Auntie Isobel, Tim and Susie. We had fun. Susie shared her drink and cake with her doll.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
5th July 2010
Hollywood Diner, Drayton Manor Park
This was a super special sneaky coffee because it was a super special day. Sue became my friend in 1997 when she and I were both pregnant with out first children. We went to antenatal classes together then saw each other more or less weekly (at least!) for the next four years until she moved (inconveniently for me!) to New Zealand. Our eldest children are now twelve! Out second eldest children are both ten and on this visit back to the UK Sue brought her ten year old back too. I kept my ten year old out of school for a day (with permission!) and we spent the day together at Drayton Manor Park, a theme park close to Birmingham. In between various spinning, swaying and sailing type rides we had coffee at 'The Hollywood Diner'
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Naomi, Sue and Amy
Bought: The girls had some vibrantly coloured slushy drink, Sue and I had coffee, I also had a lemon meringue donut
Cost: No idea - Sue paid
Cafe: Really quite nice. Very well themed as a 'typical' (i.e. like you've seen in films) American diner complete with juke box, stools and posters of iconic American film stars.
Sat: By the juke box which I would have used but which seemed not to be working
And: Very nice coffee, slightly dry cake, very precious company. I love when you see friends you haven't seen for years and it's like you have never been apart - what good friendship looks like!
S
This was a super special sneaky coffee because it was a super special day. Sue became my friend in 1997 when she and I were both pregnant with out first children. We went to antenatal classes together then saw each other more or less weekly (at least!) for the next four years until she moved (inconveniently for me!) to New Zealand. Our eldest children are now twelve! Out second eldest children are both ten and on this visit back to the UK Sue brought her ten year old back too. I kept my ten year old out of school for a day (with permission!) and we spent the day together at Drayton Manor Park, a theme park close to Birmingham. In between various spinning, swaying and sailing type rides we had coffee at 'The Hollywood Diner'
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Naomi, Sue and Amy
Bought: The girls had some vibrantly coloured slushy drink, Sue and I had coffee, I also had a lemon meringue donut
Cost: No idea - Sue paid
Cafe: Really quite nice. Very well themed as a 'typical' (i.e. like you've seen in films) American diner complete with juke box, stools and posters of iconic American film stars.
Sat: By the juke box which I would have used but which seemed not to be working
And: Very nice coffee, slightly dry cake, very precious company. I love when you see friends you haven't seen for years and it's like you have never been apart - what good friendship looks like!
S
Saturday, 5 June 2010
3rd June 2010
Each Christmas my family draw names from a hat and then each buy one nice big present for the person selected. This means you get once pretty decent thing instead of a smaller things. It also saves money when you are the purchaser. It's a scheme which serves us well. This year I drew my Mum. My Mum, when asked what she wants for her birthday (or similar) always replies, 'I don't need anything, don't spend your money on me' and, when very heavily pushed, concedes 'a small thing, bubble bath, writing paper or a new pen' would be ok. So I was faced with finding £30 bubble bath or finding an alternative. Interestingly my Mum actually had the idea (and amazingly she voiced it too!). She wanted a treat instead of a present.
This is a fine idea on so many levels. Most of the people I know have everything they need. They also have almost everything they want... especially everything they want in the £10-£30 price bracket. A treat, and some time, are a lot more fun and don't clutter your house up.
To this end I spent the day with my Mum yesterday and we went to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and while there we had (an exceedingly posh) afternoon tea!
The Cavendish Rooms, Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Mum
Served by: Very well dressed, polite and helpful ladies and gentlemen.
Bought: Our 'afternoon tea' included four finger (crusts cut off!) sandwiches each - egg mayonnaise, cucumber and cream cheese, ham and mustard and smoked salmon. They also brought out extra sandwiches on request. Then there was a scone with jam and clotted cream, a chocolate brownie, a meringue dusted with freeze dried berries or similar and a shot glass of lemon cream. (Re: the lemon cream - I should not have eaten it with my lactose problem. I decided to have a tiny spoonful to see what it was like and it was the most delicious thing ever so I polished off the lot and felt a bit nauseous and bloated for 24 hours.) We also had a glass of rose wine and a pot of tea each - chosen from a list of about 20 tea varieties! It was proper leaf tea too - but we kept forgetting to use the strainer!
Cost: About £15 each - not an everyday treat!
Cafe: Lovely! Proper solid wood (looking at least) tables with comfy bucket seats. Tones of pink and purple mainly. A L shaped room along two sides of a stable block.
Position: The Cavendish Rooms are in the old Stable Block of Chatsworth House. The cafe has glass where the arches would have been so you look out into the courtyard. The rest of the Stable block hosts lovely gift shops and another (cheaper canteen style) restaurant. There is a fountain and some sculpture in the courtyard and lots of people milling about - great for general people watching.
Busy? It was a bit but not in any detrimental way. The clientele were pretty quiet and genteel. In fact - I was self conscious about getting my camera out to photograph the sandwich and cake stand but did it anyway!
Food: The food was great - very posh, very dainty and very tasty.
And? An all round lovely experience. The shops were great for 'mooching' and, being child free we got to have a proper explore of them. Chatsworth gardens are amazing. They go on and on and on and just as you round every corner, you see how much further they continue for. Lots of water features, beautiful trees and planting and, in the glorious sunshine of our visit, it's all absolutely stunning.
Chatsworth House is similarly stunning. Extravagent and rich beyond belief and morality! Touring it, and similar stately homes, always brings out my inner Marxist! These super rich people must have had to develop complicated inner ideology to justify their rampantly privileged lifestyles. Then I am reminded that on a global scale not much has changed - we just don't live in the same locality as the poor propping up our lifestyles in the West anymore.
This is a fine idea on so many levels. Most of the people I know have everything they need. They also have almost everything they want... especially everything they want in the £10-£30 price bracket. A treat, and some time, are a lot more fun and don't clutter your house up.
To this end I spent the day with my Mum yesterday and we went to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and while there we had (an exceedingly posh) afternoon tea!
The Cavendish Rooms, Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Mum
Served by: Very well dressed, polite and helpful ladies and gentlemen.
Bought: Our 'afternoon tea' included four finger (crusts cut off!) sandwiches each - egg mayonnaise, cucumber and cream cheese, ham and mustard and smoked salmon. They also brought out extra sandwiches on request. Then there was a scone with jam and clotted cream, a chocolate brownie, a meringue dusted with freeze dried berries or similar and a shot glass of lemon cream. (Re: the lemon cream - I should not have eaten it with my lactose problem. I decided to have a tiny spoonful to see what it was like and it was the most delicious thing ever so I polished off the lot and felt a bit nauseous and bloated for 24 hours.) We also had a glass of rose wine and a pot of tea each - chosen from a list of about 20 tea varieties! It was proper leaf tea too - but we kept forgetting to use the strainer!
Cost: About £15 each - not an everyday treat!
Cafe: Lovely! Proper solid wood (looking at least) tables with comfy bucket seats. Tones of pink and purple mainly. A L shaped room along two sides of a stable block.
Position: The Cavendish Rooms are in the old Stable Block of Chatsworth House. The cafe has glass where the arches would have been so you look out into the courtyard. The rest of the Stable block hosts lovely gift shops and another (cheaper canteen style) restaurant. There is a fountain and some sculpture in the courtyard and lots of people milling about - great for general people watching.
Busy? It was a bit but not in any detrimental way. The clientele were pretty quiet and genteel. In fact - I was self conscious about getting my camera out to photograph the sandwich and cake stand but did it anyway!
Food: The food was great - very posh, very dainty and very tasty.
And? An all round lovely experience. The shops were great for 'mooching' and, being child free we got to have a proper explore of them. Chatsworth gardens are amazing. They go on and on and on and just as you round every corner, you see how much further they continue for. Lots of water features, beautiful trees and planting and, in the glorious sunshine of our visit, it's all absolutely stunning.
Chatsworth House is similarly stunning. Extravagent and rich beyond belief and morality! Touring it, and similar stately homes, always brings out my inner Marxist! These super rich people must have had to develop complicated inner ideology to justify their rampantly privileged lifestyles. Then I am reminded that on a global scale not much has changed - we just don't live in the same locality as the poor propping up our lifestyles in the West anymore.
1st June 2010
I feel like I should add 'finally' to the heading of this blog entry. I spent a few days in Essex staying with my mother-in-law who is kind and generous but not as attuned to 'sneaky coffee-ing' as I. (Though in fairness - few are!) We had two utter (and disappointing) failures in sneaky coffee terms and both times her response was 'Well - we can have a coffee at home' which is accurate and pragmatic but entirely misses the point! Maybe I can see the true source of Simon's inability to grasp the concept properly!
The first incident would have featured a coffee trip for eleven - all six of our family, Nanny (aka Mother in Law or Marjorie), and Simon's sister Wendy and her family (husband Phil and two children). We went for a walk along the shores of Hanningfield Reservoir in windy, chilly and slightly damp weather - all the time bribing the children with the promise of sneaky coffee (or equivalent) at the Fishing Lodge cafe - about a mile along the path. We arrived at the cafe to find that they only served meals between 12.00 and 2.30 and no 'drinks only customers'. It was 12.30. The cafe was packed and our chance at coffee scuppered. The children were each appeased by a packet of crisps or bar of chocolate from the adjoining shop but there was no consolation for me (both foodstuffs were offered and declined - I wanted a coffee!)
The second time was the following day. It was cold, it was wet, it was grey and any plans for 'outings' had long since been abandoned. However - the kids were a little 'cabin feverish' so I suggested a trip to a local garden centre. I have found that garden centres are surprisingly good family destinations. They often have a pet section so kids can look at birds, fish, small mammals, reptiles. They also often have quite interesting shops and products to marvel and giggle at! (Honestly - some of the water features must have been designed as a joke!) They also often feature coffee shops - as this one did. The smell of the coffee was amazing as we pottered around looking at scented candles, silk flowers, hose pipe attachments and bird tables. We selected a few items for purchase (as I said - my Mother in Law is very kind - we all got something!) and then took them to the car as I had seen on a quick recce to to the cafe that baskets were forbidden. We then hastened back to the cafe - arriving there at 16.02 and finding it closed!!!! It closed at 16.00. I was sad.
But then... success.... sort of
Tesco, Mayflower Retail Park, Basildon, Essex
We ended up in Tesco. I needed to buy groceries to bring home to Birmingham. The others went into the cafe while I did a 10 minute run around an unfamiliar Tesco looking for familiar products. I finished, I joined them and was gratified to learn that the children still had just about enough stamina left for me to have a drink too.
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna - and Simon, Marjorie, Ethan, Naomi, Edward and Susie
Bought: Well I had a coffee but I couldn't say for certain what else was bought. I saw hot chocolate, more coffee, fruit shoots....
Cost: Don't know - Marjorie paid while I wasn't there. My coffee was 95p.
Cafe: Typically Tesco - in the corner of a vast store. It had some coffee tables with bucket red leather seats but table choice was made for me as I arrived last.
Position: Views of the car-park and a distant A127? Not much to comment on.
And? Well I got a coffee but it wasn't quite the experience I had hoped for!
The first incident would have featured a coffee trip for eleven - all six of our family, Nanny (aka Mother in Law or Marjorie), and Simon's sister Wendy and her family (husband Phil and two children). We went for a walk along the shores of Hanningfield Reservoir in windy, chilly and slightly damp weather - all the time bribing the children with the promise of sneaky coffee (or equivalent) at the Fishing Lodge cafe - about a mile along the path. We arrived at the cafe to find that they only served meals between 12.00 and 2.30 and no 'drinks only customers'. It was 12.30. The cafe was packed and our chance at coffee scuppered. The children were each appeased by a packet of crisps or bar of chocolate from the adjoining shop but there was no consolation for me (both foodstuffs were offered and declined - I wanted a coffee!)
The second time was the following day. It was cold, it was wet, it was grey and any plans for 'outings' had long since been abandoned. However - the kids were a little 'cabin feverish' so I suggested a trip to a local garden centre. I have found that garden centres are surprisingly good family destinations. They often have a pet section so kids can look at birds, fish, small mammals, reptiles. They also often have quite interesting shops and products to marvel and giggle at! (Honestly - some of the water features must have been designed as a joke!) They also often feature coffee shops - as this one did. The smell of the coffee was amazing as we pottered around looking at scented candles, silk flowers, hose pipe attachments and bird tables. We selected a few items for purchase (as I said - my Mother in Law is very kind - we all got something!) and then took them to the car as I had seen on a quick recce to to the cafe that baskets were forbidden. We then hastened back to the cafe - arriving there at 16.02 and finding it closed!!!! It closed at 16.00. I was sad.
But then... success.... sort of
Tesco, Mayflower Retail Park, Basildon, Essex
We ended up in Tesco. I needed to buy groceries to bring home to Birmingham. The others went into the cafe while I did a 10 minute run around an unfamiliar Tesco looking for familiar products. I finished, I joined them and was gratified to learn that the children still had just about enough stamina left for me to have a drink too.
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna - and Simon, Marjorie, Ethan, Naomi, Edward and Susie
Bought: Well I had a coffee but I couldn't say for certain what else was bought. I saw hot chocolate, more coffee, fruit shoots....
Cost: Don't know - Marjorie paid while I wasn't there. My coffee was 95p.
Cafe: Typically Tesco - in the corner of a vast store. It had some coffee tables with bucket red leather seats but table choice was made for me as I arrived last.
Position: Views of the car-park and a distant A127? Not much to comment on.
And? Well I got a coffee but it wasn't quite the experience I had hoped for!
Sunday, 30 May 2010
30th May 2010
Simon graduated 25 years ago and last night there was a reunion meal and pub crawl around St Albans to celebrate. Given the 'pub crawl' aspect of the evening we decided to stay in a hotel for the night, leave the children with his Mum and thus we had a child free 24 hours together! Wooo hooo!!!!
After breakfast this morning the sun was shining on this pretty little cathedral town and after strolling around for a bit I insisted on a coffee! After all he is my husband and I ought to share my favourite pastime with him on occasion!
Bellaccino's, French Row, St Albans
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Simon
Served by: a waitress!!! Unusual but lovely!
Bought: An americano and a de-caff cappuccino
Cost: The bill was $4.35 or somthing but we left a fiver as the service was prompt and friendly
Cafe: We sat outside as it was sunny and mild. The inside was buzzing - it's obviously a popular place (and I chose it because they spelled 'Espresso' correctly on their signage. I get frustrated with the inaccurate 'Expresso' seen regularly.)
Position: The cafe was on a narrow pedestrian street and our table on the opposite side of the street. It was fun to 'people watch' (or in Simon's case Dog watch as the couple sitting opposite had a beautiful black labarador - his favourite type of dog). The cafe played music of which we heard agreeable snatches. Then a bag pipe player walked by, then a small but very talented group of Christian singers began to sing fantastic worship songs! It was almost like being at church - but with nice coffee!
And? It was lovely all round. I had bought a paper which we both flicked through. We found lots of nice things to chat about. We enjoyed our temporary childless state and remarked how much childlessness is wasted on the childless! As we left the bill came with two very small bars of chocolate - the packaging on which proclaimed them to be 'Useless bit of chocolate'! This made us both smile!
I love my husband SO much. He drives me slightly demented from time to time but I know I am an extremely blessed lady.
After breakfast this morning the sun was shining on this pretty little cathedral town and after strolling around for a bit I insisted on a coffee! After all he is my husband and I ought to share my favourite pastime with him on occasion!
Bellaccino's, French Row, St Albans
Sneaky Coffee-ers: Anna and Simon
Served by: a waitress!!! Unusual but lovely!
Bought: An americano and a de-caff cappuccino
Cost: The bill was $4.35 or somthing but we left a fiver as the service was prompt and friendly
Cafe: We sat outside as it was sunny and mild. The inside was buzzing - it's obviously a popular place (and I chose it because they spelled 'Espresso' correctly on their signage. I get frustrated with the inaccurate 'Expresso' seen regularly.)
Position: The cafe was on a narrow pedestrian street and our table on the opposite side of the street. It was fun to 'people watch' (or in Simon's case Dog watch as the couple sitting opposite had a beautiful black labarador - his favourite type of dog). The cafe played music of which we heard agreeable snatches. Then a bag pipe player walked by, then a small but very talented group of Christian singers began to sing fantastic worship songs! It was almost like being at church - but with nice coffee!
And? It was lovely all round. I had bought a paper which we both flicked through. We found lots of nice things to chat about. We enjoyed our temporary childless state and remarked how much childlessness is wasted on the childless! As we left the bill came with two very small bars of chocolate - the packaging on which proclaimed them to be 'Useless bit of chocolate'! This made us both smile!
I love my husband SO much. He drives me slightly demented from time to time but I know I am an extremely blessed lady.
Monday, 24 May 2010
23rd May 2010
My Mum turned 60 on the sunniest weekend of the year so far (and possibly the sunniest weekend of the year in its totality judging by recent years) and the whole family were at Center Parcs. We were so busy enjoying the facilities, weather and necessary icecream that it took us until Sunday morning to make use of one of the many Starbucks outlets on site.
Starbucks, Sherwood Forest Center Parcs
Sneaky coffee-ers: Anna, Simon, Ethan, Naomi, Edward and Susie; Mum and Dad; Grannie; James, Heidi, Luca, Theo and Ellis; Paul and Angela
Served by: A slightly inpolite young lady - I expected that my Starbucks card (which is empty of credit but usually qualifies me for a free shot of syrup) would not be accepted but other similar outlets allow me the free syrup even if they don't accept the card as payment. She wasn't exactly impolite... but not apologetic either.
Bought: Our family had two flavoured spring water drinks (to share between the four children) a decaff coffee for Simon and a black coffee with a shot of almond syrup for me.
Cost: £7.20 - prices noticeably higher
Cafe: It was a nice place - spacious and well equipped with soft comfy chairs. However - we took advantage of the terrace area - mainly because the weather was stunning but also because we had seven children in our party and spilled drinks and noise matter less in the great outdoors!
Position: In the Center Parc 'village' which feels like an upmarket pedestrianised market town street.
Food: The others bought cakes etc. They were the standard menu items.
Complaints: No - all was well.
And? It was a nice time. However - such a big party does limit the feeling of 'having coffee together' as you can realistically only chat to a few people.
Starbucks, Sherwood Forest Center Parcs
Sneaky coffee-ers: Anna, Simon, Ethan, Naomi, Edward and Susie; Mum and Dad; Grannie; James, Heidi, Luca, Theo and Ellis; Paul and Angela
Served by: A slightly inpolite young lady - I expected that my Starbucks card (which is empty of credit but usually qualifies me for a free shot of syrup) would not be accepted but other similar outlets allow me the free syrup even if they don't accept the card as payment. She wasn't exactly impolite... but not apologetic either.
Bought: Our family had two flavoured spring water drinks (to share between the four children) a decaff coffee for Simon and a black coffee with a shot of almond syrup for me.
Cost: £7.20 - prices noticeably higher
Cafe: It was a nice place - spacious and well equipped with soft comfy chairs. However - we took advantage of the terrace area - mainly because the weather was stunning but also because we had seven children in our party and spilled drinks and noise matter less in the great outdoors!
Position: In the Center Parc 'village' which feels like an upmarket pedestrianised market town street.
Food: The others bought cakes etc. They were the standard menu items.
Complaints: No - all was well.
And? It was a nice time. However - such a big party does limit the feeling of 'having coffee together' as you can realistically only chat to a few people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)