It was stormy, the icy canals had melted, and my boat was rocking. So I put my swag on for a mid-morning coffee at Sutton Cheney Wharf cafe.
The cafe was only a 2-minute walk from this idyllic spot where we were moored on the Ashby Canal, which is picturesque and a little off the mainstream.
They opened at 9:30 AM, which is reasonable especially during this time of year when the mornings are dark. But there's still a lot of traffic with dogwalkers as it's the rural countryside. I was up bright and early and had time to wander around to get a good feel of the place and see some quirky fixtures on the grounds.
The cafe is nestled on vast farmlands, and the fields of nectar mix added some vibrancy to the bleak morning and made me curious about what the field might look like in the summertime.
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The area was more spread out than I'd realised, and it explained why the heavy flow of pedestrians who were not boaters, that I observed from my window.
I bet the villagers appreciate the easy access to get a nature fix and also pop in for meals. I've also read that there are some historic sites nearby too., so this location makes a great family day spot.
These swans gathered on the towpath nibbling away at the grass, and one of the boaters moored next to them said that the swans had been at that spot for a few days, not bothered by anything around them.
Swans are elegant, but not the friendliest of creatures. Still, they are fascinating and look so different out of the water.
I kept my distance as I walked by because they are territorial on land too. I saw the mum eyeing me as if to warn me not to get too close to her Cygnets.
Nature walks by the canal personifies slow-living and makes me feel sublime on days like this when I need a hug in a mug.
The cafe was cosy and the staff were friendly, and it felt like I'd gone over to a friend for coffee. The Chef was even happy for me to take his photo, which is rare since Chefs are most times a little uptight and avoidant of customers.
There was a challenge getting my transaction to go through, which they believe is because of the storm, combined with the location which truly is remote off-the-beaten-track.
There menu is pretty broad, but I only fancied a coffee, and whenever I go to a cafe, I like to treat myself to a cappuccino.
They were heavy-handled with a sprinkling of chocolate and the biscoff was a kind gesture and something that I always feel good about when I receive one with my coffee. Still, I couldn't resist and ordered a slice of their lemon drizzle cake, which paired nicely with my cappuccino.
I hugged my cup like it was a bowl of soup, just to warm my hands nicely.
The setting of the cafe is simply perfect! I sat by the window and watched the ducks swimming and a boat went by because the storm had passed and the canals were calm again.
High chairs were available as they seemed to be a popular location for families, and I noticed two well-behaved dogs sitting quietly under their family tables.
It's seldom that I work from a cafe because I need an environment that is free from distractions, but this setting was comfortable and I nipped back in for my laptop. Unfortunately, my internet was unstable at the cafe, so I returned to my boat where the reception was a little stronger.
It was a nice way to stretch my legs and the fresh air left me feeling energised. My boat was secured even though we were moored under large trees, they look solid though and the area appears to be well-maintained. However, I'll continue to be vigilant of any changes and hopefully, the weather will improve soon.
Happy Sunday and have a Coffee-Licious Day:)
Oh, I had fun taking these photos although my flimsy mobile tripod keeps falling over...