LIFE is full of surprises! To find a thriving bakery in this small village was unexpected. That there should be a tearoom attached was a bonus.

On this outing we had two granddaughters with us. Anna is an old hand at snack surveys and knows the ropes. She was quick to point out that the venue was billed as "tea rooms" whereas there appeared to be only one room.

Victoria, the elder sister, spoke highly of the bright table cloths. Scrutinising the menu, she inquired how much we could spend.

The menu was simple. Sandwiches made to order in white, wholemeal or granary baps were all priced £1.90.

The girls have yet to develop sophisticated tastes so plain cheese in white was good enough for them.

Ann found the curried egg with cashew nuts in wholemeal irresistible. For me, cheese and pesto in granary would suffice. Each sandwich was beautifully fresh and came with a simple garnish.

The girls each had a toasted teacake, kindly sharing them with their grandparents. Our joint verdict was "very nice".

Victoria had a wedge of chocolate cake, also shared, which was judged super.

Ann's Danish pastry disappeared quickly and I was equally satisfied with a slice of fruit cake and Wensleydale cheese.

A pot of tearoom blend tea (£2) and orange juice completed the snack.

A specials board offered mixed pepper and mushroom quiche (£3.75) and salad with toast and pate, either brown lentil with mushroom or red lentil with Welsh mead (£3).

As to the venue? Homely and probably the only place we have visited where we could be certain everything was made on the premises.

And the staff? A very pleasant assistant who had forsaken the south of England to settle in Hovingham and knew just how to make customers welcome.

Inevitably we could not resist making a purchase of bread as we left.