IT was an incredibly hot afternoon and the ceiling fans and open door only helped marginally. Having said that, the pale green decor did have a cooling effect.

Selection was from a combination of the standard menu and two wall boards. It was obviously too hot for home-made roasted garlic and potato soup with crusty bread (£2.95). Also a great Yorkshire pudding with either Cumberland sausage or chicken casserole at £5.50 would probably be a bit much. Even corned beef hash (£4.95) was more than we could face.

However, my taste buds were roused by the range of sweets on offer but Ann persuaded me to have something more in keeping with the time of day, mid afternoon.

Combining our choices was the obvious thing to do. A white toastie with pineapple and cheese (£3.50) with tea for Ann, would go nicely with a cream tea for me (£3.10). It was not long before our order arrived. Was this the norm or had we struck lucky finding the caf almost deserted?

The sandwich was well up to expectations and this was followed by a warm and very fresh fruit scone which crumbled as we spread it with strawberry jam and cream. The teapot yielded almost two cups each.

Home-made lemon drizzle cake (£1.35) or fresh cream fruit meringue (£1.95) sounded appetising but sense prevailed and we called it a day at this point.

The tables are set in bays, wall mirrors enhance the light and gentle Beatles music regaled us. But we were not impressed by the artificial flowers that lined the window giving the wrong impression of the quality of food and service within.

Updated: 08:57 Saturday, June 22, 2002