An Edible Voyage

April 2021 What more could one hope to come across on a blustery, hilly cycle around Shetland Mainland than a cake fridge! Yes, that's right, a fridge full of home baked cup cakes, mint aero tiffin, original tiffin, caramel tiffin... as well as hand knitted socks, Whalsay made jams (lime and Shetland Reel gin is particularly moorish) and Orkney fudge.  Open 24/7 on an honesty basis, you can satisfy sweet cravings at any time of day or night. Grab your goodies and head a couple of 100m east along the road to enjoy the view of the shimmering blue grey sea and lush green hills from the picnic benches, or, if you're there at a conventional time, why not venture in to the tea room for an even wider selection of baked goods and hot drinks.  Find The Original Cake Fridge on the road from Aith, just before East Burrafirth.

April 2021 A friend who recently moved to Bollington has excitedly been telling me about No 74 Delicatessen whenever she embarks on a trip for treats (which seems to be at ever decreasing intervals during lockdown!), so it was inevitable that during my post-lockdown visit to the Peak District, No 74 would be on the agenda.   This is one of those places that's excellent at everything - milk is expertly steamed for the espresso based coffee; interesting sandwiches are fresh, flavoursome and served on chunky rolls advertised as made from flour, water, salt and nothing else; cakes are exquisite - towering layers of airy sponge sit alongside zesty lemon squares and Malteaser tiffin; and Happy Belly supply delicious sweet potato and feta scotch eggs with soft, golden yolks. Turn up with several bags! No 74 is the kind of place where you go in for a coffee and come out with all manner of local produce.  Beers from Manchester micro-breweries, black garlic ketchup, bean to bar cho...