The Anonymous Widower

The Only Starbucks I Habitually Visit

I don’t generally go to Starbucks very often, but I will use this one in Bold Street in Liverpool.

The Only Starbucks I Habitually Visit

The Only Starbucks I Habitually Visit

In the 1960s, I’m fairly certain, it used to be La Bussola, which was the coffee bar, where everybody went.

March 9, 2013 Posted by | Food | , , , | 7 Comments

Home Via New Barnet Station

After my walk through New Barnet, I intended to come home using the Northern line from High Barnet station and I informed the driver of the 384 bus, I boarded outside The Warwick, that that was what I was doing.

But I changed my mind, as the bus stopped in the forecourt of New Barnet station, so I thought I’d come home on the main line train.

It was really sweet and totally professional, as when I got off, the driver questioned if I was at the right stop. Little bits of service really improve a day.

On the platform there is now a little cafe/shop.

Frothy Coffee At New Barnet Station

Frothy Coffee At New Barnet Station

Something that would never have been there when I used the station in the 1960s or 1970s. and if it had been it would have been a terrible British Rail monstrosity.

Things are looking up for those who want to travel and drink. I think it’s a case of the more the merrier!

January 29, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment

I’m Keeping Out Of Starbucks

It must be some time since I went into a Starbucks to have some coffee. It could have been after I saw Skyfall. But it was certainly no later than this post, where I mused about the dilemma. That would be eight weeks without a Starbucks coffee.

January 14, 2013 Posted by | Food, World | , | Leave a comment

Am I Allergic To Coffee?

I’ve not been feeling well the last few days and it reminds me of a time about thirty years ago, when I thought I got a mouth infection from a dentist. I had a very sore mouth and ate fairly soft food for a couple of weeks.  In the end, I think the doctor gave me some antibiotics to clear it up. At the time, I also found that coffee seemed to irritate my mouth, so for twenty years or so, I never drunk coffee, until I discovered cappuccino.

My mouth now feels the same and for the last two days, I’ve stayed off the coffee and I’ve just been drinking beer, cider, milk, water and tea.

It seems to be getting better.

It’s strange that this problem has returned, but I have moved to London in the last couple of years and it so easy to get a coffee.

January 6, 2013 Posted by | Health | , | 6 Comments

Are Starbucks Just Public Toilets That Sell Coffee?

This notion is put forward today in Caitlin Moran’s piece in The Times.

It also contains the piece of information that Manchester has just one public toilet. That can’t be true can it?

I rarely get caught short, but if I am, I usually go into a betting shop as many have very good toilets   All you need to do, if you feel guilty is to watch a race before or after doing the necessary.

Last night though in the Barbican, I went into one of the worst toilets for some time. The door had been spray painted by a vandal and the pan was slightly blocked and didn’t pull too well either.  For one of Europe’s largest arts centre it was a disgrace and very inferior to the immaculate ones inside Ipswich Town’s ground at Portman Road.  In fact on the whole football clubs do seem to try to get good facilities.  I can’t think of a bad one and I’ve used toilets in perhaps thirty grounds in the last few years.

January 5, 2013 Posted by | World | , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grand Cafe Cappuccino

I had lunch here before I caught the bus to the airport.

The last time, I’d been here was with C on that birthday holiday in 2007.

As with the Caballito de Mar, they knew their gluten free.

December 20, 2012 Posted by | Food, World | , , | Leave a comment

Starbucks On Southern

I was offered a cup of coffee from the trolley on the train back from Worthing today.

I refused, as the trolley had the Starbucks logo on the side.

Has the anti-Starbucks protest got to me? I think so, but we had actually discussed this at lunch.

I’ve not completely got them out of my life, but where there are alternatives like Knot Pretzels at Clapham Junction, I use them.

December 12, 2012 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , | Leave a comment

Not The Best Shopping Trip!

I tried to do a bit of personal shopping today.  I need a couple of pairs of decent cord trousers and I want to get one of thse new-fangled tablet computers to see if I can blog on the move.

The only pair of trousers I tried on, were a pair in Armani with a button fly. And I hate button flies!

I’m also still no nearer to finding a tablet computer for my requirements.

In the end, I gave up and had a coffee and a snack in Carluccio’s before buying my supper in Marks and Spencer and coming home.

December 10, 2012 Posted by | Computing, World | , , | Leave a comment

Coffee And Pretzels At Clapham Junction

Not for me the pretzels, but the coffee was good in my pit-stop at Knot Pretzels at Clapham Junction station.

I do love their innovative use of an old trunk for the sugar and stirrers.

December 9, 2012 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel, World | , , , , | 3 Comments

Did My Protest Work?

It is being reported that Starbucks are now going to pay more Corporation Tax.

Since the storm broke, I’ve not used a large chain of coffee shops, although I have popped into Carluccio’s for the odd cappuccino.

I wonder how many other people have adopted a similar boycott?

It’ll be interesting to see the accounts of the chains as they emerge!

On a related point, I was talking to an American a few days ago, and they didn’t like the way Starbucks behaved on the other side of the pond.

December 7, 2012 Posted by | Business, Food | , , , , | Leave a comment