AFTER conducting a few last minute chores on Christmas Eve, I set off in the motor and headed towards historic Godstone. I had the idea of getting into the holiday festive spirit early by tucking into a full English breakfast.
I recalled that several years ago, I stopped at Fairall's, the builders, in Godstone, and did just that – in the shop's Builder's Bun café.
After climbing out of the car I stepped into the shop and cast my eyes up to the first floor where the café traded. Alas, I couldn't see it anywhere. I enquired of a burly bloke on the ground floor what had happened to the café and he confirmed it had indeed gone. "About a year ago to make way for more bathroom supplies."
He said there was a refreshments van in the car park but it wasn't open today.
I said: "That's sad. I was looking forward to a full English breakfast."
He advised me that there were two other cafés by the village green and I thanked him for that. There was also a hot drinks vending machine in the foyer.
I sauntered down towards Needles Bank and the green. It was curious to see the names of the old cottages and houses along the way. One was Witch's Window. Another was called Chaos Cottage. Two former pubs from the days of yore were possibly recalled in houses named White Swan House and The Old Bull's Head.
Many of the quaint old cottages had festive wreaths on their front doors, which was nice.
I approached the Green Rooms Café but noticed it seemed to be closed. On the front door was a sign. It read: "Thank you for dropping by, however we are now closed until the 3rd January as we need to prepare for Santa's visit; and spend time with our lovely children! Wishing you a merry Christmas and see you in 2015! Sylvia and Jeremy :-) "
But what about spending time with me? What about my full English?
I then remembered the man at Fairall's saying there were two cafés by the green and strolled on to the corner of the one-way system where I spotted the Old Forge Deli Café.
And within a few yards I could smell fried bacon in the winter air. Mmmm! Great.
(Or is it spelled Gr8 these days?).
Sure enough the deli café was heaving with builders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and villagers all tucking into hearty full English breakfasts. The staff were literally rushed off their feet.
Outside, a chap with his dog sat at a table and a waitress arrived with his bacon and eggs. He seemed overwhelmed and said: "I can't thank you enough."
She smiled with a wide grin. "Steady on!" she said.
I found one of the few remaining seats inside and ordered a regular breakfast at the counter. It comprised egg, sausage, bacon, beans, toast and a coffee (or tea) for £4.95. Very good value, I thought.
On the next table, two contractors were sipping coffee from mugs and chatting about their workload and what they were doing for Christmas.
"I am not getting the car out this year. You can't have a drink or anything. If people want to visit, they can come to us. I'm going to light the fire and put on some chestnuts."
On a nearby table, a man said his wife worked for a charity.
"She's often out at weekends, attending cheque presentations and things like that."
The breakfast was delivered to my table and I couldn't wait to tuck in. What a fine way of spending the morning of Christmas Eve, I thought.
A waiter arrived with two platefuls of chips, beans, and sausages for the guys on the next table.
A family arrived and sat in the corner munching chocolate muffins.
Bright festive red bows hung on the windows above which were trails of fairy lights.
Outside, the silhouette of bare trees laced the grey and yellow winter skyscape. Seagulls circled above while the odd crow hopped over the damp grass on the village green.
One of the chaps old a pal: "His descendants were given two fields in London by Queen Elizabeth I, where Chancery Lane is now. He still has to manage the houses that were built there but he's decided to move out of London and do the administration from elsewhere."
Glimpses of sunshine occasionally illuminated the green on this winter's day.
The horse chestnut trees stood sentinel alongside the green in Bletchingley Road.
An elderly man shuffled into the café and took a seat in the corner. He began to read the Daily Mail. One of the headlines read: "Number of approved mortgage applications falls by 20 per cent."
On another table two workmen were discussing leave from work.
"I've taken two days off next week. It was a case of 'use it or lose it'."
The other man replied: "I'm going to take a fortnight off next summer. The trouble is when you get back, no-one's done anything and all the work's piled up."
