My adopted hometown continues to evolve, often with a nod to the town’s illustrious past. This time, thank God it’s not Dickens-related or twee. The new Seaplane Works (SPW) cafe took me by surprise by paying homage to the Short Brothers who established a seaplane and flying boat factory here in the early 20th Century. Although the factory is long gone, well-known local residents have resurrected this neglected aspect of Rochester’s past, in an extremely stylish manner-just look at their simple and elegant logo. And in case you’re wondering, the coffee’s great too.

2022 update: sad to report that Seaplane Works closed during lockdown.

In the eighties, US junk food hit my radar. In the coolest red box with typical US bold type, I loved the contents and the whole bombastic packaging. Colette, an old school friend – who looked like Pocahontas – offered me a small handful of these crispy, cheesy pillows and I was hooked. Her American dad then worked at RAF Mildenhall and could buy exotic, imported junk food that only now we find over here in novelty American candy stores. Except Cheezits which are still hard to come by. Just as well, I guess!