Shingles is clearing nicely so my wife, Di, decided to take me out for a “restorative” trip to Neston Market.
Neston still holds a traditional market every Friday, with lots of interesting local produce on offer.
I soon realised the ulterior motive when Di came trotting over from the fashion stall with a new pair of plum coloured jeans in her bag and the traditional assertion…”Well…I’ve got nothing to wear for the Spring.”
We bought a lovely piece of Welsh-Black brisket from the butcher’s stall and a bag of cherry scones from the baker’s and beat a hasty retreat to my favourite coffee haunt – Elephant Coffee House, on the High Street, opposite the church.
We bundled in and were lucky to find a table as this place is so popular.
I ordered two flat whites and a pair of buttered crumpets as we slumped down to soak-in the atmos.
Elephant was started in 2012 by a local married couple, Emma and Adam, with roots in Neston retail ( Emma’s mum had run Drakes Stores – a local institution).
They purchased a run-down premises on the High Street which had previously housed Golbournes Greengrocery, and refurbished it to provide the coffee shop at ground floor with flats above, which has enhanced the townscape appreciably.
This place hits all my coffee receptors. The shop’s been nicely refurbished but it’s not over done. The place is buzzy and inclusive. Young mums chatting , elderly ladies resting, men reading newspapers, local workers nipping in for a takeaway coffee and sandwich.
The staff are dedicated coffee freaks. They’ve developed their own Elephant Blend which definitely hits the spot and sends the taste buds zinging.
I notice that they’re now selling packs of their own-blend beans and ground coffee. (Make a mental note to come back and buy some).
We return to the car park feeling refreshed and a little bit happier with life…what more can you ask from a coffee shop?
elephant–coffee.co.uk
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In the afternoon I went to visit David at home. He is getting even weaker and was unable even to open his eyes.
He is very aware of all around him and his hearing is perfect but he is no longer strong enough to speak clearly and can only communicate with nods and gestures.
I managed to chat with him about my morning’s adventures and we could reminisce about a previous visit we’d made to Elephant last year.
He mentioned, in a three- way conversation with his wife, Gill, that he’d had a visit during the week from Petronelle, one of our colleagues from the Liverpool Lighthouse days,and he was very appreciative.
We were able to pray together and David nodded his Amen.
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