SOME suggestions for snack surveys come in such vague forms that we fail to locate the venue.

Not so, the one received from Adrian Bosomworth. Not only was the location precise, Mr Bosomworth was able to warn us that it was closed on Mondays.

But we were caught out with the opening times: 10am to 4.30pm was stated outside. Once inside we discovered that snacks were only available until 11.45am, and again after 2pm.

We got our timing wrong and so missed out on the scones with preserves (£1.20) or cream (£1.50), toasted teacakes (£1.25), muffins, waffles and much more. Teas and coffees were all reasonably priced.

It was a good day for walking when we left York. Turning off the A59 just before Blubberhouses, we found the Stone House Tea Room without difficulty.

Part of, but separate from, the pub there is easy access from the car park.

Snack fare including an all day breakfast and other fried items was listed on a chalk board. The lunch menu was displayed separately. So were the desserts.

Many items like the steak and ale pie, fish, chips with mushy peas and buffalo burger with blue cheese cost just outside our budget.

Ploughmans and a salad (ham, tuna or cheese) cost £5.50.

Ann enquired about the soup (£2.95) and decided carrot and coriander would suit her. It was very hot, thick and came with crusty bread and fresh butter. Uncharacteristically the soup defeated Ann and I was given the chance to finish it!

Moving on to a cranberry and brie soft bap (£5.50) she was taken by surprise. This was accompanied by a generous portion of freshly cooked chips and a garnish which included red, yellow and green peppers.

My choice was a hot turkey baguette with chips and salad (£5.50). Wow!

The baguette must have been ten inches in length and full of hot tender chunks of meat.

The chips were excellent and so obviously homemade. The portions were not designed for the faint hearted. We agreed that we should not have had the soup. In fact apart from fruit we ate nothing else that day.

Sadly by the time our meal was over, the rain had set in.

For a rendezvous point about ten miles west of Harrogate there are lovely views with plenty of walks in the area.

Updated: 16:26 Friday, July 29, 2005