matt f:
the portacabin at sourton cross on the a30 cornwall/devon border it was there when went to bridgend on a friday and when i went to exeter the folliowing wednesday it was gone i even got out of the cab and walked round doubting my sanity !!!
when was this Matt ?
there was one there last monday - Woody’s Cafe IIRC, replaced the one that went missing a couple of years ago 
different people running it I think
Denis F:
matt f:
the portacabin at sourton cross on the a30 cornwall/devon border it was there when went to bridgend on a friday and when i went to exeter the folliowing wednesday it was gone i even got out of the cab and walked round doubting my sanity !!!when was this Matt ?
there was one there last monday - Woody’s Cafe IIRC, replaced the one that went missing a couple of years ago
was 15th september 2005 didnt realise cafe had been replaced been driving past for the last year thinking there was nothing there will give it a try friday (changeover at gordano )
where do you live then denis
matt f:
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where do you live then denis
Exmoor
got a regular run to Jaspers at Launceston so see a lot of the A30 
Any of you longtime truckers got any memorys of bobs cafe at kidlington. I remember the fireplace in the centre of the floor.I used to call there 30yrs ago when i went to basingstoke via coventry oxford and newbury.I also remember the tower cafe at basingstoke.
After you went past lincoln farm cafe and headed towards warwick you would fork right before leamington follow road to the r/bout bear left and there used to be a cafe on the right with a dead end parking area.Last time i passed a few yrs ago it was an italian restaurant anyone remember the name of it?
The Roadhouse at Kincardine became The Silver Link. That was sold up a few years ago, to a bathroom design company. They’ve just closed down and they sell kitchens from there now.
There was a place on the A74 which is now the A7080 (I think), a bit south of The Star, now The Europa. When I used it, it was known as The Old Star. A bit of a dump, but good grub and friendly service. Just a few hundred yards south of that there still is (I think) The Star pub. Limited parking, good food and a decent pint.
Then on the A7080, between Cairn Lodge and Abington is the Red Moss Hotel. I’m not sure if that’s re-opened as a truckstop or not.
Then there was the Coatsgate on the northbound side of the A74. If you wanted to use it when you where southbound, you parked in the old quarry and took your life in your hands by running across the dual-carriageway 
Further down was the Little Chef and Shell petrol station at Johnston Bridge (JB).
Further south again, just above Carlisle, there was The Moss Cafe. As far as I remember, it was a dump full stop. I only ever tried it a couple of times, not long before it closed, ie, in its last couple of years. It’s now a Little Chef.
Cairn Lodge, when I first started doing civvy driving, was an automatic fuel site only. I think there was some parking there and a burger van, but I only went in there at night. The pumps were on concrete islands which stood at least 2 feet above the red shale surface.
I havn’t been down south for a couple of years now, but Jacks Hill Cafe on the A5 was still there and still known as Jacks Hill Cafe. Whether that is the name over the door or not, I’ve no idea.
Briggs’s.
Anyone remember Briggs cafe/motel on the A58 Leeds-Halifax Rd at Drighlington?
When I worked for Hanson Haulage (Huddersfield) it used to be the first call for all West Yorks routes. Many times had a job getting in Lorry park as it was full of Atlas, Utd Carriers, Ripponden, Blue band…etc.
That was on top of all the night outers, pre sleeper cab days, who’d stayed in the motel part.
Also in a previous post, someone mentioned the Standedge A62, The Motormans cafe was our call for westbound routes. The Motormans is still open & run by Jean who’s owned it for years, taking over when her Mum died in the mid 70’s.
the 2 on the a5 at the top of the hill opposite each other before crick and the old truckstop at crick where stobarts is now
Berts at Brentwood on the A12 .Len was the owner & sold up to a property developer. There’s lovely bungalows there now…
Those other two at Marks Tey. One is still there but the Windmill is now a car lot.
Hi,Did anyone know the Loopway cafe,just off the Forfar bypass,its gone now!!
I see the Stracathro is still going,other side of Brechin,Its shame all these cafes are dissapearing
In my driving career in 70s 80s & 90s you could pick any cafe you fancy…
Most companys wont even let drivers use there facilities to wash & use the canteen!!
I never had any bother in my time,like loading paper Reels out of Davidson"s Muggimoss,Aberdeen,“I left the Toilets as i found them”
When i got to D. & G.at Fishponds,Bristol & got tipped,I always had a Shower,& a nice Breakfast in there canteen…I left the facilities as i found them!!
Both companys are gone now…I dont know how these drivers survive now!Im glad im out of it!!
Norman croad,Torquay…
I called in kates cabin last week and its not changed in 20yrs,i reckon the cakes under the counter are the same ones,cold tea aswell 
Should have gone to Stibb, Seth 
Spardo:
Should have gone to Stibb, Seth
Hi “Spardo” Is Stibbington Café still on the go ?, I Used to stop there on my way down to the Smoke, Allways good grub at the right price, Regards Larry.
Is Morgans’ at Burlescombe (A38) still open? I used to pass there when working for Matthews Flour but it was always the wrong time to stop.
Places I did stop at when on Matthews were Stibbington Diner, Kates Cabin, Sedbury near Scotch Corner, Little Moss near Colne and the best I found was J38 Truckstop (used to fortify myself with a good brunch there en route to Scotland). I had good food in all those and I miss finding these places now on local tipper work, Oxfordshire is devoid of proper cafes, just a load of tea vans now sadly. If I don’t fancy using my flask or the kettle in the yard, it’s Costa Lotta vending machines when getting diesel.
It certainly is Larry, and well worth the visit. I have stopped there several times over the last couple of months on my way north and back and it is a real welcome reminder of the way things used to be all over the country in ‘the old days’.
A great big meal piping hot and at a roughly equivalent price to what I am used to in the routiers here in France. There is even wine if you want it, but at English prices I stuck to a giant mug of tea. 
Spardo:
It certainly is Larry, and well worth the visit. I have stopped there several times over the last couple of months on my way north and back and it is a real welcome reminder of the way things used to be all over the country in ‘the old days’.A great big meal piping hot and at a roughly equivalent price to what I am used to in the routiers here in France. There is even wine if you want it, but at English prices I stuck to a giant mug of tea.
Thanks “Spardo” I will certainly call in the next time Im heading south, Regards Larry.
Hi Muckaway,Yes Morgan"s is still going!!
come off Junc 27,up the old A38.
Ive also stopped at junc 38 Tebay truck stop,its ok.
Norman Croad,Torquay.
KW:
**And what was the name of the one on the old A45 from Cambridge to St Neots?**Just off a roundabout.The Comfort? Or was The Comfort on the A11?
Memory is getting bad.
That would be the Enterprise Cafe. Excellent breakfast I seem to remember…
Kate, What is that cafe on the A41 near the Stormy Petrel?
That did a good breakfast when I drove to Premier Foods at Knighton
