Who knows? But we've all now got a mental image of PU as jowly dog.
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to get back to expat's query and as TVM (?) said, if we have an idea of the route we could chip in our pennyworth ie I know of three that fit his description just off the M90. I would say they have to be local to the poster to ensure they're still there ie not 'I had a lovely cream tea at The Coffee Shop in Tiddlybank on the A98765 in 1983' and of course no gratuitous advertising - scout's honour.
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The Good Pub Guide has a section at the back where you find your nearest motorway junction and there is a list of pubs within 5 or 10 minutes.
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" if we have an idea of the route we could chip in our pennyworth"
Good point. I didn't put that in because I haven't yet got a map book. I will pick that up when I get to the UK. Maybe Mr Hertz will include one gratis with his horseless carriage. Anyway I am going to start off by driving from Haywards Heath to Harrogate. I think that will probably mean the M25 and then the M1. We are intending to stop for morning tea, lunch and perhaps afternoon tea. I seem to remember that if I leave about 9 or so I should get there by mid afternoon. Excuse me if I am rather vague about things. I am seldom in the UK these days and am well out of touch. Thanks for all your advice.
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and when you're here drop into an internet cafe, tell us where you're going next and see if we can suggest anywhere for you to eat/visit.
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It is a curious thing, but if one is looking for a pleasant coffee shop in modern Britain, one can do worse than look in a big garden centre.
We have used the coffee shops at both Klondyke and Dobbies on our travels.
see
www.klondyke.co.uk/pages/topiary.htm
and
www.dobbies.com/findacentre.aspx
Why garden centres should have gone into the restaurant / coffee shop business in such a big way is a mystery to me.
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I agree that they tend to be good value. Also they tend to be by A roads.
It is to cater for the middle class people of a certain age who are into their gardening in a big way.Some of the places local to me are packed to capacity , particularly at weekends.
I don't dare ask how much SWMBO spends on plants for our garden but it is a substantial amount.
Big garden centres have become destinations in their own right. They have to utilise all the land they take up a bit like department stores.
I have just been to one called Wyevales this afternoon and they not only had a very nice looking restaurant and all the usual garden plants , equipment , conservatories , etc but clothes ( Edinburgh Woolen Mills ) Books, swimming pools , conservatory furniture , home made cakes and jams.
As long as they don't mix the weedkiller with the food then its OK by me.
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There's only one place to go in Harrogate for afternoon tea - Bettys. Tea, cucumber and salmon sandwiches (no crusts!), little cakes and scones. They have a cafe at Harlow Carr gardens too.
www.bettys.co.uk
www.bettys.co.uk/menu.pdf
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