Heading up from Newcastle, about an hour by truck north is Purdy Lodge which is a bit pricey but it’s very good quality grub. It’s a motel now as well, so you could sleep in a bed if you want to.
Next place up is about 15 minutes by truck, at the turn off for Lindisfarne. Hotel there too.
Berwick on Tweed is another 15 minutes by truck. I don’t know for certain, but to the best of my knowledge, there is still parking on the docks and that cafe is still open and working.
Half an hour further north is the Cedar Lodge, just south of Grantshouse. It’s now in an old loop of road that used to be the A1. It’s signed for the caff, parking and toilets. I think the caff closes at 8pm, don’t quote me on that though.
After that there is nothing permanent. Even the services resto at Musselburgh has closed. There are slightly better food choices available in the petrol station than there used to be. Also a Costa(fortune) Coffee machine, although you do get a good sized cup of very good coffee out of them. Not a thimble of nats ■■■■ that might have seen a coffee bean once upon a time, in the far distance.
Thanks Simon, had a pm from a kind member who tells me that Twempies is no more (I can’t find it on Google Streets either)but also recommending both Purdy’s and the Cedar cafe.
The latter seems doable for me from Newhaven, weather permitting (using that phrase a lot lately 
), so I phoned them and Keith said indeed they are open till 8pm but if I am running a little bit late I can phone ahead and he will save me a meal. No contest then. 
Checking the kms between there and my delivery point at Rothienorman I reckon (weather per…you get the idea 
) I might even make it back there for the next night.
After that the pressure’s off. Sunderland with friends the next night, Nottingham with family the following, Worthing for my new specs after that and back on the ferry at Newhaven Saturday night. Home Sunday evening (weather etc.) 
Thanks all for the info and useful updates on Old Cafes, just to prove the thread’s on track. 
Rothienorman ? 
A long long time ago, when I was an agri’ student at Aberdeen Uni’. Part of my course involved working on farms for a year. I worked for Mackies of Rothienorman for 6 months. At that time they were the Milk Marketing Board bottling plant. Now they make luxury ice-creams.
The Merry Chest Old A2 near Gravesend Kent One of the Best & Still going ■■■■ Matthew R J Matthew Transport Ltd (Deceased)
The Merry Chest '60s Saturday over time. In came a gang of motorcyclists sat down at the edge of the lorry park turned out their pockets and obviously counted their cash. Bit of a conflab, then one of the girls got up put her hand up skirt an took off her knickers which she hung on someone’s handlebars. Then she went round the motors and took various drivers off into the bushes. After a bit she came back, added cash to pile and off they went into the café. Me and my mate sat and watched the whole performance to see how it turned out. Got and extra hour of time and a half out of that
marshman:
The Merry Chest '60s Saturday over time. In came a gang of motorcyclists sat down at the edge of the lorry park turned out their pockets and obviously counted their cash. Bit of a conflab, then one of the girls got up put her hand up skirt an took off her knickers which she hung on someone’s handlebars. Then she went round the motors and took various drivers off into the bushes. After a bit she came back, added cash to pile and off they went into the café. Me and my mate sat and watched the whole performance to see how it turned out. Got and extra hour of time and a half out of that
The drivers could ‘adjust’ their Log Books in them days to account for the lost time, not so easy these days with the Didgy Cards
Flyingrabbit:
Ben & Junes Girls a few years ago at The Merry Chest (still there)
Ah yes Julie on the left, Tracy and Terrie working nights I don’t get the opportunity to call in must make time during the day before I retire lol.
Fame at last! I got the book “Trucking Down Memory Lane” for Christmas and my little article is on pages 57 & 58. There are a lot of memories from other drivers too. Good reading!
I agree with Haddy- a great little book. One of my first lorries appears in an article by a former colleague. Great memories!
I would like to have this great book, Anyone have the address where I can send for a copy please, Regards Larry.
Hi, Larry, I’m at my second home (Sprog’s) at the moment, but if you haven’t succeeded by the time I get back- Thursday-ish- I’ll post the details on this thread for you & anyone else who’s interested.
still being held hostage by the sprogs then casey , it must be a hard life , forcing all that free food and booze down day after day . never mind , take it like a man and you will soon be back in macc . as a matter of interest that book is on amazon at five and a half quid , but the transport cafe book is currently unavailable . keep a stiff upper lip , all the best for the new year . cheers , dave
ROF from Sprog’s:
Hi, Larry, I’m at my second home (Sprog’s) at the moment, but if you haven’t succeeded by the time I get back- Thursday-ish- I’ll post the details on this thread for you & anyone else who’s interested.
Thank you, Regards Larry.
Just wanted to say thanks to those who pointed me at the Cedar Cafe at Grantshouse. Well worth the visit. I left Newhaven at 9am and was parked up outside about 8 hours later. It felt a bit strange eating so early in the evening so I waited till after 7, my time , and then tucked into Aberdeen Angus steak pie and veg with a square slice of mince pie and custard to follow. Apart from the lack of a glass or 3 of wine it couldn’t have been better. 'Fraid I can’t take those giant mugs of tea anymore so washed it all down with water.
I wanted to beat the 130km/hr predicted winds on the following day so I was early to bed and away before 2.30 the next morning. Typical forecasting, hardly any wind, got to Rothienorman before 7 and had to wait a while but they did give me a good breakfast when they got up and I was back at the Cedar by 1pm. I had planned to stay and eat again (had my eye on the honey glazed pork ) but not at that time of day so, feeling not at all tired, I continued on down to stay the night with my friends in Sunderland.
Just like the old days, I loved my trip ‘up Scotch’ and only wished they came about more often - if only for the excellent welcome at the Cedar. 
rigsby:
still being held hostage by the sprogs then casey , it must be a hard life , forcing all that free food and booze down day after day . never mind , take it like a man and you will soon be back in macc . as a matter of interest that book is on amazon at five and a half quid , but the transport cafe book is currently unavailable . keep a stiff upper lip , all the best for the new year . cheers , dave
I’m doing my very best to put up with the situation, Dave. I reckon I’ll be able to make my escape around Thursday because a) the tunnel will be completed by then and b) Sprog’s fridge will be empty.
Oh, it’s such a hard life!
ROF from Sprog’s:
rigsby:
still being held hostage by the sprogs then casey , it must be a hard life , forcing all that free food and booze down day after day . never mind , take it like a man and you will soon be back in macc . as a matter of interest that book is on amazon at five and a half quid , but the transport cafe book is currently unavailable . keep a stiff upper lip , all the best for the new year . cheers , daveI’m doing my very best to put up with the situation, Dave. I reckon I’ll be able to make my escape around Thursday because a) the tunnel will be completed by then and b) Sprog’s fridge will be empty.
Oh, it’s such a hard life!
Bad weather forecast for Thursday Casey,you might have to hole up down there until the spring.
Cheers Dave.
ROF from Sprog’s:
Hi, Larry, I’m at my second home (Sprog’s) at the moment, but if you haven’t succeeded by the time I get back- Thursday-ish- I’ll post the details on this thread for you & anyone else who’s interested.
Is the Railway Inn any good Casey?
If bored have a trek towards Stroud from Cirencester and see what that new shop/cafe is like at Chapmans’ Cross. It usex to be a petrol station with a pub nextdoor. You could then drive for one minute and see what the Highwayman/Glider/whatever it’s currently called is any good…
Dave, grub & booze will be running short by then so I’ll have to take my chances with the weather!
Muckaway, In the light of each evening’s intake of Scottish firewater, I’m unlikely to be in a position to do any driving until I escape on Thursday! Oh, it’s such a hard life.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Another good cafe the Mayfield at Garstang ,nice clean place, a bit noisy at night being on the A6,but the grub was ok. better than Dirty Dicks opposite… I noticed the last time I was past the Mayfield it was some sort of resturant I think happy good old days. Larry
Was a drivers mate in 62 and my driver used to say the sponge pudding in the Mayfield was mixed by the women treading it in a tin bath.