05/02/06

I have this obsession with cafes (and before anyone says anything, I don't know where to find the accent over the 'e' in notepad).

I don't know where it came from. Maybe family holidays where part of the treat was stopping off at some cafe and getting a cake-of-my-choice. But for whatever reason, a day out is not complete as far as I'm concerned unless we've stopped off at a tea shop at some point. I know it's a bit weird. Gerard will suggest we stop at a pub, or buy a bagette at some corner shop, and I find myself saying 'Oh, but can't we find a little cafe somewhere?'. I think they must put something addictive in all that traditional home-made lemon drizzle cake (with frosted lavender bits on top. Mmmmm....).

It's true though. I just love cafes. I love getting a little table by the window, and sitting with my pot of tea and reading a book or writing or whatever. I love the way you can sit in your little bubble without worrying about people bothering you - which is less likely in a pub. I love hearing all the people bustling about around me, the little old ladies with double-espresso-mocha-latte-chio's, the families (as long as the babies don't scream too loud, the couples, the friends. I even love those stupid 'Ministry of Crap Design' pressed metal teapots. And if you're with someone, you can have great conversations in cafes; for some reason tea and cake seems to suit talking about almost any subject under the sun. Pperhaps because it's so innocuous. There aren't really any tea-specific conversations.

I only bring this up because we found two, count them, two good cafes this weekend! Normally when I move anywhere new I have a wander around and find a cafe I like quite soon after I arrive (I am not a freak). But the situation being as it is, I hadn't managed it yet and I've been here for three months now (which is a little scary, but never mind). Still, it's all okay now as we've discovered one in the city centre - essential for days out shopping - and one five minutes down the road! With chickens! Really. It has chickens. How great it that?