REGULAR readers of this column will know that Bill is my walking companion. Last year's outbreak of foot and mouth curtailed our jaunts and so far this year we have found the countryside heavy going.

So on a meander along the city footpaths, it was fortuitous that we came across this venue, just when a lunch break was called for.

Sitting in (or indeed outside) it combines as a take-away facility. Some customers wore suits, perhaps escapees from the nearby Nestl complex, while others were in less formal garb.

Service was brisk, with only two staff visible. Apart from sandwiches made to order, the staple menu was a traditional fry-up or chips with whatever!

Jacket potatoes with a filling were not for the faint-hearted. Nor was the meat pie, chips and a substantial portion of baked beans presented to one snacker. And what might the Belly Blaster be?

Bill opted for the full English breakfast with a mug of tea (£3.20). It took a minute or two to realise what the vigorous stirring was - only the tea bag being well infused before the milk was added.

Our order arrived at the table in due course. For Bill it consisted of bacon and egg, two sausages, fried bread, baked beans and tomato plus a slice of buttered toast and one of bread.

I couldn't resist investigating the Builder Bob Special (£3.60). It differed from Bill's meal by more bacon, mushrooms and black pudding which I shared. A can of Fanta was my alternative to tea.

It wasn't long before there were two almost clean plates. I say almost because we had both left some of the tomato as neither of us is very fond of the tinned variety.

Our snacks reminded us of NAAFI meals we had experienced during our respective RAF service a few years ago. Always able to fill a gap.

Two drawbacks. Although ordered meals appeared promptly there was less enthusiasm in clearing the tables. And the other? In spite of our visit coinciding with National No Smoking Day, many of the customers seemed oblivious to this.

Updated: 08:49 Saturday, March 23, 2002