Friendly chat

Not long home from my Coventry cafe spotting today. I set out today, (following my home domestic duties, may I add), to see if any cafe or restaurant gave me the same feeling as I walked in each one. Honestly, No! Even Cafe Italia, as much as I enjoy the food in there, didn't have that Alpha feel. The nearest coming to that is Leonardo in Nuneaton. During my Phoenix Finance times, Leonardo & Masons cafes were my constant favourites for many years. Quality of food. Masons for a real gungy dinner, whilst Leonardo for lighter food, but more space. Possibly, like now, the only venue with tableware.

So I'm putting this to my mental state test. Last Wednesday, I had gentleman friend with me when we alighted off the No148 in Nuneation. We were both peckish. We went to Leonardo for lunch. I have no regrets. So if I'm dating a new bird, a visit to Leonardo in Nuneaton will take president over anywhere else, if it's convenient. I'm so excited in-living that experience of mine from 1965, brought to life not just by the pictures or the words. It's your feelings that you are putting into this, a date so prominent in my life. That's what makes our forum a living journal. Pass the port please!

On the subject of food - a couple of weeks back my wife and I went to the excellent gathering of Riley cars at the canal basin. The little cafe at the end of the row of shops has been closed for a while I think, but there was a lady serving up the best ham salad batches I have had for a very long time. She told my wife that she will be re-opening the cafe soon, although I don't know when. Makes me feel hungry just thinking about those batches.

Thank you for that. Your reflections on the Playwright Cafe as well as the Riley car subject. I'm motivated to comment on topics as a forum gesture of pleasure, that's part of the roll of being an administrator, but it's such a delight when comments are heart felt. Thank you. Our community is changing. Folk coming to live here in Coventry always bring their own customs, yes we know the sayings about doing what is done in Rome, but that won't change facts. The pressure from rising food prices, means that venues have to rely on their margins, so those who's menu target is hitting the bullseye survive, in contrast to those who are struggling. Like many on our forum, I love traditional food that so many turn their noses up at. I've left a review on TripAdvisor, about my delight of a liver & bacon dinner that I tucked into yesterday at Masons cafe in Nuneaton. Where else can I get that? Who else would want that? Hopefully, some better weather might bring clientele back to Playwrights. Summer was yesterday for the time being.

You are not alone with the liver Philip, Last time we went to the Wolferstan Arms in Shuttington I opted for the liver. They also do smaller portion meals as well which I like. It seams that when the younger generation ( and by that I also mean my 50 year old kids. ) going out for a meal has to involve Thai or curry or Pizza etc. My daughter would go out and say you would like it mum, but I have a look at the menu and can't find anything I would really fancy. Give my a good roast anytime and perhaps something that does not have to involve chips, not that I am against chips ! The cafe in the canal basin, my brothers and I calked in there some years ago when we had cleared our mum's room in the care home in St Nicholas Street after she passed away. We were hungry but had several of the usual appointments to attend. That cafe was so busy making sandwich orders up for the local office workers to pick up. I suppose they lost that business during covid and afterwards lots of people working from home. So hope the ladies sandwich business can pick that up again. I know the staff in the care home also used to take some of the residents down to the cafe as well.

Lunchtime menu for The Cottage in Fillongley. My preference is for the coarser pigs liver, but this is ok and worth a try. I always have this when available as my wife wont have liver in the house!!!

And Faggots ! They also have car shows there I think.

Yes they do. Car & Bike Meet At The Cottage Inn Classic car and bike meet at The Cottage Inn - Every second Saturday of the month, 9am to 12:30pm.

Sadly, I can only reach the Cottage or the Fillongley area when being driven, so it remains outside of my reach, except on very dry walking days. I did walk from Arley last year, but certainly not on my radar during unsettled weather. I might pop to Masons in Nuneaton later. Yum.

Proof that we are in the Matrix and have been for a very long time... check out the cartoon second from the bottom right.

Every bit as insightful and passionate as the best of today's political cartoonists!

Not to mention Perth JW.

I'm not sure that I understand that. Is it an Oz reference?

Hello, Please remember that the pleasure of our forum isn't here by chance or act of parliament. It's here, because of you, along with volunteers that do their best to represent you & keep it going. All having been started by our Webmaster. Let's try & keep it going.

The cartoon disappeared!??????