Brophy's Coffee Shop

On moving to Sidmouth 10 years ago one of the hardest elements of adjusting to a new town was the lack of a decent coffee shop. There were plenty of places to go for refreshment but nowhere that made a really good cup of coffee. I became a tea drinker instead. I tried further afield and the best that I could find was M&S Cafe Revive and Darts Farm at Topsham. Then Gary and his family started Brophy's Coffee Shop, in Sidmouth.

Well from the moment I tried the first coffee there I was hooked. Proper coffee properly made. Fresh, rich, and dark with no bitterness. The froth on the cappuccino held the sugar up strongly; a good sign. So I moved on to the Cafe au Lait. Bliss. Every coffee every day made to a really high standard. I became a coffee drinker again. Gary wanted Brophy's to become a meeting place. And it did. Sidmouth's version of 'Cheers' or a coffee shop such as in Friends or Frasier. Where your name is known and they remember your personal preferences.

Now Gary and his family are moving on. They close Brophy's on Wednesday. It will be sad to see them go. Gary has been a really good Host besides making such excellent coffee.

Updated: 12/07/08.
Just as I feared. I've tried 4 cups of coffee in the new Brophy's and it is no where as good.
You can tell just by looking at the coffee. No sign of floating 'crema'. No oily appearance on blck coffee. The cappuccino were too milky and hardly any coffee flavour. I tried asking for a strong coffee. This did have some flavour but no real depth, no aftertaste. It had no 'crema floating on top' the flavour is light, no substance. I'll have to go on a quality control search for a really good satisfying coffee.

Sat Nav Woes

I heard an item on the local radio. I thought it was very amusing as I was under the impression that a lorry driver had become stuck in a small Devon lane and not been rescued for 3 days. He had spent 3 nights in the lorry before he was 'rescued'. He had followed directions from his Sat Nav until he came to a point where he couldn't go forward or backwards. STUCK.

But reading is a far better way to pick up the full story: far better than idly listening and not concentrating properly. His lorry had become wedged but the driver didn't have to spend all that time in his cab. He wasn't so wedged in that he was unable to escape from his cab, as I'd thought. He was fed by a local family but he chose to spend the 3 nights in his cab. I can see that on listening to the tale I only picked up some of the facts.

I was beginning to think that there are still wild, remote places in Devon where a lorry driver could be trapped and maybe perish in his cab, after becoming wedged down a wee country lane, with no one around for miles to raise the alarm. In a spot where a mobile phone signal couldn't be picked up. Is there any such place? If so please let me know. I might chose to go and live there.

Low Flying Cows

Elf n Safety should do a Risk Assessment in the UK - perhaps they aren't aware that low flying cows could be a hazard. This couple were lucky to escape with their lives.

Spanish Old Codger

This blog just proves that you are never too old to have fun and learn new tricks.

There are links to translate to other languages. Do explore this blog.

BMW

What does BMW stand for? Is it:

1. Bayerische Motoren Werke - the automobile?



2. Bob Marley and the Wailers?



3. Boy Meets World - a TV series?



4. Black Mans Willy - a plant?

Yes you're right BMW stands for all the above. But it's answer number 4 that has brought a few complaints in to the BBC over 'Gardeners' Question Time'. BMW, or Black Man's Willy - is in fact Rhodochiton Volubile.

Was Dr Kelly Murderd?

I see from today's news reports that Lib Dem MP Norman Baker is once again raising doubts about whether Dr Kelly committed suicide or not. Would he have cleaned the knife he apparently used to cut his wrists? Is it a cover up?!



If I'm not around in future then you'll know the thought police or 'they' have been around to silence me!

A Great Wit

I'm pleased to see that Oscar Wilde has been voted the Greatest Wit of all time.

Spike Milligan, comedian, was second.

And Stephen Fry came in third.

But then they don't know me - do they!

I'd Like to Join In

How lovely - I've been invited to join in blogging on this site by the administrator - Pisces. So here is my first posting:

I see from today's Daily Mail that Gordon Brown wants to tackle OBESITY. It's a BIG problem. But if the Govt are worried about health and obesity then they would do well to ban artificial Trans Fats i.e. Hydrogenated Fats from all foods sold in the UK. The USA and several EU countries have already impemented bans them as it is now known that they are a health hazard and contribute to unhealthy weight gain. The human body does not have the capability to deal with these artificial fats.

If you want to explore more about the campaigns to end harmful trans fat in foods then read this.

Authors

I've just sent out invite to friends who live in the same area to invite them to partake of writing on this blog if they wish. If they should wish to do so - I then hope there'lll soon be a list of authors to look at under the 'About Me' heading.

First Post

We are a group of friends living in small south coast seaside town. I've set this blog up to see whether a 'consortium of friends' would like to join in and experience the fun that can be found in the blogosphere world.