well...okay, but remember you all asked for it.

This whole idea of 'great posts being streamlined to fit into a commentbox' has been lingering for a while. As has the idea that perhaps it is a post in itself. But my thoughts coalesced today when I was surfing through RicRac's blog roll and today's 'This is....' was 'This is ... my favourite quote'

Someone's blog (I have just made a fool of myself over at Jodie's while looking for the link) highlighted the fabulous exchange between Lady Nancy Astor and Winston Churchill in parliament in the twenties. You know the one -


'Sir, if you were my husband I should poison you.'


Madam, if you were my wife I should drink it.'


Always makes me think of another (currently unattributable) exchange - poss Lady A and Winnie again but maybe not -


'Sir you are drunk'


'Yes Madam but you are ugly and at least I shall be sober in the morning.'



Which in turn always makes me think of this place.

Years ago I worked in a cafe at one end of this street and was shutting up for the evening after a long and very busy Summer's day trade. On my way to clear the outside tables I vaguely noticed some people in the distance. My hands were full of other people's tea cups, cream tea remnants and such as I went back through the door so I hooked it closed with my foot. Except that it didn't close.


In the time it had taken me to make outside less attractive to the pigeons (a universe full of another story) the people had made it parallel with the cafe and one was on his way in for a restorative tea, just as I shut the door over.



He went ballistic in his so soothing Northern Irish accent, demanding to know why I had shut his head in the door and refusing to accept my apology that I hadn't seen him. He got all shouty and red-faced at me so I must confess to you all that I got a little shouty back. You are all surprised, right?

(It wasn't actually him > but you get the idea of level of shouty Northern Irishman to which I am referring .)

Please bear in mind that while this exchange is taking place I am laden with china and jam and scones and clotted cream, not to mention the assortment of tea dregs in my hands. Oh, and my boss and her friend were right behind me.

He kept ranting, even making it personal saying 'that I was fat and I'd seen him walk towards me and he only wanted a cup of tea' and well, I must confess to letting fly. I said that while I may be overweight I could always go on a diet but he would always be crazy. He stomped off muttering away.

Apparently he came back the following Summer and wanted to know if the angry Australian waitress was there before he would come inside! ;-)