The small cafe nearby

The sun was shining on my face when I opened the eyes, a marked contrast to the grey skies that had lasted for days. I was determined to go for a walk. Such a glorious winter day shouldn’t be wasted.

I urged the boys to put their winter coats and boots on. No video games, no animated films, no compromise.

There was a small cafe about 10 – 15 minutes walk from our house, located just beside the underground station. I did manage to get to the satiation in 4 – 5 minutes sometimes, running like crazy as I had to catch up with my literature seminars, or yoga classes? Yes yoga classes. Sounds a bit ironic I know. Running like crazy to attend a yoga class. But I did manage to look fairly calm when I entered the yoga hall, smiling while trying to breathe deeply. The mind shut down almost immediately when the body hit the yoga mat. I was in an illusion of paradise. They call it meditation. Sort of.

I know I’m on the sidetrack. Getting back to track now. We reached the cafe. The boys got blue raspberry slush and ice cream as promised though I considered hot chocolate a much better choice for the season. I sipped my hot black tea and had a chat with the barista there, a lovely Polish girl who had become a friend of mine.

We had a much longer conversation around this time last year as I was eager to work out the chance of becoming a co-owner of this small cosy cafe. I have always dreamt of running a seaside cafe on the Greek island. I would love it.

(Taken at Christmas 2017, Tenerife)

(Taken in July 2017, Crete)

I picked up a few children’s books from the shelf and read to my youngest son, who immediately got lost in the fairy tales and the special sound effect I created.

I like the idea of Little Free Library (outside the cafe) where you can pick up or donate a book. I picked up a book long ago but have never given one back. Too bad.

This is a rather random post and I hope you won’t get too confused. I actually had to pause several times during the writing process because of my terrible back pain. I had returned home from a chiropractic treatment in which my chiropractor showed me some tricks. Hope it works though, I was scared to death. I thought I would get cracked by the tremendous force from a heavily built man (my chiropractor) of about two meter tall. I’m heading off to bed now.

 

Author: Isabelle

Content writer / editor & Language advisor

62 thoughts on “The small cafe nearby”

  2. Yes, the cafe does look cozy and inviting. My dad and I love to bake, him desserts and me bread, and he’d considered opening a bakery or cafe of his own where we could offer our creations to guests looking for a place to enjoy good company, warm food, and perhaps a book as well. Unfortunately my city does not have any such place, as all eateries but one in downtown have left. I remember one that we used to frequent in Xi’an, China, called Village Cafe. The cafe, located near a university, attracted foreigners because of the friendly, familiar atmosphere and Western-style food offerings. Bands would play music in the upper floor, where shelves held books that a guest could just take and flip through.

    A free book library has always attracted me as well. The one you show is one of the prettiest I have seen. It looks rustic and aged, like a book that has been used and loved.

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    1. The Village Cafe sounds brilliant! Bands playing in the upper floor and books to be picked up. What a dream! I would love it. Such a nice thought of running a cafe and offering your creations to guests. You might make it one day, your rye cracks, home-made bread and Chinese Pan cake look wonderful!
      Cannot agree more, that free library is charming. You put it perfectly, rustic and aged, like a book that has been used and loved. So beautifully said! Truly impressed.

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      1. Thank you for the encouragement! I do love to bake and cook for others, so the idea is certainly worth pursuing. I wonder if anyone has tried combining the cafe and free library ideas to have a little bakery that has a shelf of books that guests can take and replace as they please…

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      2. The little free library (featured) is placed just outside the cafe. My impression is it belongs to the cafe but I’m not entirely sure. It’s a wonderful idea of combining a bakery with books!

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  3. We have free libraries like that here in Frankfurt, but they have glass doors and are weather-proof. My wife and I tend to put in more books than we take out, because we don’t have enough room at home for all the books we have accumulated.

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      1. Hello, Isabelle

        Here, in Andalusia, Spain, we have Public libraries everywhere, in any town and neighbourhood, and you can donate your books. Besides, you can ask for a book they have in the region and even if the book is 500 km away they will bring it to you in a month time.

        Anyway. Nice post and nice pictures, Isabelle.

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      2. Thank you so much for the comment Antonio! It’s great that Public Libraries in Andalusia offer such excellent service to library users. There’s no doubt that they take literature and the circulation of literature seriously. What a treasure to book lovers!

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  5. Hi Isabelle, I loved your post. It was peaceful and reassuring. What a precious free library. You would be wonderful owning a cafe! I can just imagine what a friendly lovely spot it would be with books and good conversation if one was so inclined. Or a quiet nook to be still. I do hope it will come to be for you. The photos of you at the shore are lovely. Take care, suzanne 😊❤️

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    1. Thank you Suzanne! I think I would’ve moved to a warmer place near the sea if I wasn’t settled. An island where I can have a morning jog and evening stroll alone the coast. I did it every day when we were on holidays. The scene of the sun combined with the sea is irresistible to me. It’s such a powerful and touching feeling. I often visualise these thoughts and it gives me really good feelings. Take care Suzanne, nice to have chat. 😊❤️

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      1. One day! And the breeze coming over the water… my daughter and I took a short holiday to the coast last year. Every morning I would leave her to sleep and go off to walk the sand alone at dawn. I couldn’t get enough. One day I hope you will have such a place and I will be able to come and visit and we will have a good long chat in your lovely cafe by the sea. Take care 😊❤️

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      2. How lovely it was walking the sand alone at dawn. I can imagine the peace and tranquility. These are the moments I long for. I hope I will make it one day, even if I can’t run a cafe I hope I can move to a place near the sea. You can visit me anywhere Suzanne if you have the opportunity. Oslo or some place in the south when I’m there. We can make arrangement 😊 I’ll also visit you when I have the opportunity. That would be lovely 😊❤️

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  6. Ooowww, such a cozy cafe.
    I cannot even dare to walk out in winters. You are quite inspirational at times and those noises that you told in the end. That was a bit funny though. Hahaa. Enjoyed the post as well as pics.

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  7. Hello Isabelle!!! You are so funny. This was not boring at all!!! It was lovely!!!! What a wonderful outing. That cafe looks absolutely perfect. I’d go there all the time if it was near me. Wow. And I bet You will own Your sweet cafe by the sea someday. Thank You for this smiley start to my day. Cheers and hugs! 💖😊

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    1. Thank you and thank you so much for the lovely comment! Your great sense of humour is infectious, and it always makes me smile. Or should I say laugh 😁 Good the post wasn’t boring, must admit that the mood wasn’t super yesterday. The backache caught me. There’s something special with that small cafe, intimate and homely. Cheers and hugs in return! ❣️😊

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      4. Just a question about email notification, would it be possible to receive an email when you’ve published a new post? I don’t get notified at the moment and I definitely don’t want to miss out your wonderful work. 💖

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      5. Hey! Thank You!!! I think if You look up top of Your site in the corner where it says reader, You can click that and go to manage. Then scroll down the sites You follow, find me and on the far right You’ll see an icon like a curvy spiked wheel….it says settings. Click that and the middle option will be email notifications. Just slide the toggle to turn it on. Yay! 🤗

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      6. Oh thank you so much! I managed to come to your site following the instructions but then I stuck. Couldn’t find that curvy spiked wheel… never mind, I found the posts I missed out and liked accordingly 😁 Marvellous! 😍🌟

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      7. Ah! Cool! And I apologize. I guess it’s more like a flower, right by the word “settings” It’s right under the green following thing on the right corner of each person’s thing under manage reader. You make me smile so big that You were looking and that You took a spin through my art! Thank You!!!!!! Cheers! 😊

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  10. Oh, that café is lovely! Looks like a very quiet place. How I wish there was something like this near where I stay. I am surrounded by noise! And the “Little Free Library” is such a beautiful concept. 🙂

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    1. Oh yes it’s really a lovely spot! Although it’s located next to the underground station, not much noise is heard. The concept of little free library is a good way of spreading the joy of reading. Thank you. 😊

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    1. It’s really a small cafe with just a few window seats but it’s cosy enough for me to feel home. I love cafes and cafe culture. I may very well sit in a cafe the whole day, reading and observing. 😊

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    1. Thank you for the lovely words! Yeah it’s a quiet place. Strangely, it’s located just beside the underground station but it still gives me that relaxing feeling. Excellent coffee and tea on offer 😊

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  15. Isabelle ♥️what a beautiful, beautiful post this was. I kept reading with adoration till the ending happened. The pictures ♥️they were out of this world. Such contrast with the cold, freezing weather and the cosy mood of the post and the cafe. So much warmth came off this post. You live in a beautiful place, might I add and we are so blessed to be able to read your work which are rich in writing, imagination and feel good vibes.
    I’m sorry to hear about your back. Sure hope you are doing better now.

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    1. Thank you lovely twinklingwords ❤️ I’m overwhelmed by your warm and thoughtful words. That Saturday morning was beautiful, the sun shining and the sky clear-blue. It brightened my mood and soul. Sun and snow, what a beautiful contrast. I’d love to share some good moments with you. The back is recovering, slowly but surely 😊 Nice to have a chat. Take care ❤️

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    1. Thank you so much for taking time to write and re-write the comment. It appeared once so all is fine. My back is recovering. Thank you! Hope our dreams will come true one day…🏝🍀🌟

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