Where to find a Caffeine Rush in Carlisle

If you've stopped off at Carlisle railway station at any point over the past nine years or so then you'll probably have seen John Almond, and possibly you'll have bought a coffee from him too.

John runs a successful business on the station platform serving a range of coffees and hot chocolates to passing commuters and as his reputation has grown he's has built a following for his high quality coffee.



I've known John since we moved next door almost 30 years ago when we used to play football in the street and cricket on Dad's drive. When we got older we shared driving duties to watch the football wherever Liverpool were playing but even that was a long time ago now. Sadly we don't see much of each other these days, so it was great to catch up when we were invited for supper last night.

John is even becoming a local celebrity through the Carlisle-based magazine "Carlisle Living", who ran a two-page article on him earlier in the year (though unfortunately I can't find it online). In the article he talks about his daily drive to work from Blackburn, setting off at 5am each morning. That's dedication for you.

Having fun on Christmas Day

Our arrangements for the Christmas meal this year were a little disrupted by the snow. Kevan and Jean had collected the turkey for us as planned, but because of the weather they couldn't bring it over to us during the week and ended up cooking it themselves! By the day itself the snow had thawed enough so that we could cook the rest of the meal ourselves and serve up a treat.

Will it be a White Christmas?

There's been plenty of snow over the past few days, which although very Christmassy to look at, it's been causing difficulties on the roads, particularly the minor roads near where we live. Whilst the snow has thawed a little after the first band moved through on Sunday, further snow in Monday and again on Tuesday meant several inches had accumulated in the back garden.











Then overnight into the early hours of Christmas Eve the snow came again, this time for a while in a blizzard. Fortunately by morning it was already becoming a little milder and the fresh snow made the roads a little easier to navigate.

So, would it be a white Christmas? It's difficult to see the lying snow disappearing until well after Christmas Day, but the weather forecasters don't think it's likely that fresh snow will fall on the big day itself, no doubt to the relief of the bookies.

England's home is a castle

Earlier today we braved the snow and ice to pop across town to deliver some cards and a present to Helen, one of our colleagues from work, who I've known for getting on 20 years. Helen always takes time off this year beacause her other 'job' is helping her husband on their farm - full time work in itself, but somehow she fits this in with her regular work too.

Anyway, whilst there we got the chance for a sneak preview of their new home which they've recently finished building near the entrance to their farm, and it was amazing! We'd seen Helen's pictures several times during the build, but now it's almost ready it was great to see it for real.

Helen's a true inspiration and we wish them every happiness in their new home.

Cards by Carole's Christmas crescendo

Carole's been busy over the last few weekends...

Travelling in luxury to Edinburgh

For a shared early Christmas present to each other, earlier in the summer we booked ourselves tickets on an exclusive rail trip to the Edinburgh Christmas markets. We'd chosen this trip from a specialist website who offers other similar day trips and even short breaks by rail, many of which are hauled by steam, and we were very much looking forward to the experience. So, despite the early start for a Saturday, by 8:45 we were eagerly waiting on the platform, scanning the horizon down the track for the tell-tale plume of smoke signifying the approach of our train.

At about the time our train was due, a speck appeared far down the line; but as there was no smoke, we concluded it was just a regular service. But as it came closer it became clear it was a spruced-up diesel engine from the 70s and it was indeed pulling our train. Our disappointment soon passed though as we stepped on board our Pullman dining carriage, where we were greeted by immaculately dressed staff who sat us down at a sumptuous breakfast table and served us a glass each of bucks fizz as our journey commenced.

Over the next hour or so, we were treated to a hearty breakfast of cereals, smoked salmon, full English, croissants and toast and marmalade, washed down with plenty of coffee. Suitably stuffed, we relaxed in oversized comfy seats as the train sped northwards. As we crossed the border into Scotland, more coffee and a selection of pastries and biscuits kept us topped up into Waverley station.



We spent the afternoon with the crowds along Princes Street, watching the big wheel and then the skating in Waverley Gardens and enjoyed a gluhwein in the German markets. There were thousands of people in town, so after a while we left the markets behind and walked up George Street and back to the station in plenty of time for our return journey.


The train home was just as special, with a fabulous four course meal washed down with champagne and wine, rounding off a wonderful day.