Perk! Bon Air

First family outing for homemade lemonade and weaving, plus coffee of course, to Perk! A parent-venture from J's pre-K program - stylish and welcome in Bon Air. Usually my end-of-jog location of choice.

The Globe, Hay-on-Wye

Freshly baked almond cookies, great hot chocolate and fab reclaimed styling in this one-time theatre turned philosophy/music/arts venue with garden terraces for the summer crowd.

Bliss after Enid Blyton and Just William extravaganza at the Children's Bookshop. When's the Festival?

Tea and Coffee, Barrowby & Nottingham

 
... and honey.

Super-sizing the best coffee spot in town was a brilliant move - Delilah - and in nearest Lincolnshire is still the best tea shop around - The Cakehole.

Not forgetting the un-photographed but joyous three venues of French Living, with Chante France on the radio.

Ashland

Travelling back from Washington, the Amtrak train began trundling down Ashland Main Street (actually Center St) and so I was staring directly into cafes and grocery stores. It was an odd experience being in such a large vehicle passing through a village high-street, and it turns out Ashland is moderately famous for it and they love their track.

Hence there's the best toy train shop in the world, that we lingered in on Saturday with the girls, transfixed by the electric model trains. We also found a old-school grocery store, furniture up-cycling, wine bar and coffee shop. What more could you want - a caboose in the playground - we'll need to go back for that.

7-Election 2012, Staples Mill, VA

Down the 7-Eleven we can all vote - me and the Mexican construction worker who took this photo. I felt reinvigorated about the campaign and will now volunteer my services to drive a mini van to get elderly voters to the polls (in a Democratic neighbourhood of course!).

Get your steaming hot mug of democracy

7-Eleven predict the presidential election

The male mini-break, Richmond & beyond

Starting with style at Amtrak's restored Main Street Station, Richmond (1901) and a leisurely on-foot approach, in the unseasonably warm Spring sunshine, we hit Lamplighter first for coffee and sesame bagels, then stood in blossom 'rain' at Byrd Lake.

We took to the strip in Carytown and stocked up on kitchenware and gift goodies before the lunchtime delight that is Coppola Deli's (Richmond cheese steak special!). We crossed the street for some of Bev's Oreo Espresso ice-cream that was truly exceptional and then wended our way through the sculptures and now burbling water of the VMFA's gardens.

Then it was time to hit the road in the Dodge and make an unusual cruise through the Riverview Graveyard to look down on the ever impressive James before a dash to a halloumi-selling Greek deli on Broad, before returning home for our first cook-out. The consistent flame of the gas BBQ was a luxury and the incessant mini caterpillars added an exotic twist, though made things slightly gungy around bare toes.

Finally the freeway this morning, heading out to Lake Anna State Park for a beach paddle and picnic. All approached with the utmost Britishness - trousers rolled up to reveal goose bumped, white shins and only the white handkerchiefs missing. It was 30 degrees and the car air-conditioning was switched on! A yellow cab was summoned at IKEA, Woodbridge, bringing this mini break to a close.

Seattle

Seattle is a beautiful city with terrible weather. For our brief visit, it delivered on both. We bought tickets for the Space Needle, where from 520 feet we had a view of low precipitous clouds from a different perspective than ground level. Thankfully they superimposed a bright background on the visitor photograph.

We visited Pikes Place Farmers Market (featured in Sleepless in Seattle) avoided the famed flying fish, and walked past the first Starbucks, saving ourselves for Top Pot Donuts (featured in my previous life).

We also got a chance to see the Dale Chihuly (glass) Garden in construction, which promises to be amazing and they say visible from Space, though I reckon not on a cloudy day.

Space Needle

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts

Lamplighter Roasting Co, 116 S. Addison St. Richmond, VA

Our new favourite coffee haunt is Lamplighter. It smells amazing, their decaf tastes great, the toasted bagels are fantastic and there's plenty of out-door seating. It's near and soon we'll be able to cycle. Until then a five minute walk to contentedness... and a friendly, youthful vibe.

Lamplighter Roasting Co

Caffespresso, West End, Richmond VA

Slow sunday service but great sweet pastry twists, artichoke paste and grilled eggplant, plus cute book take-away and a 1957 chevvie outside.

Caffespresso