The Café Racer, Salthouse, Norfolk

The Café Racer wanders the North Norfolk coast, but is found most days at Salthouse beach, near Cley.  It is a beautiful Citroën 2CV, bought by the owner complete with gas-powered coffee machine.  You must admit it's a romantic notion, especially on a sumptuously hot June Saturday.

This isn't a hobby (I am told by the driver/owner/barista), or an extra earner on Saturdays; it's a full-time job. Sitting on the beach working out how many cups this friendly chap has to sell to pay his way, I realised how deserving he is of an entry in this meagre blog. What a gutsy plan, and how pleased I am that little vans like this not only exist but thrive. Surely this kind of venture hasn't been possible since the days of blacksmiths and weavers?

In fact coffee vans (and carts) are popping up around the country, with a number of companies offering to turn ordinary vehicles into something that produces a good cuppa. This trend is, in itself, a solid reason for mentioning The Café Racer here. 
  

Fair do's, I must admit that there are no chairs, and no typical café comforts of any kind. But what you do get is a friendly face, good hearty coffee freshly ground in the van (provided by local Norwich firm Wilkinsons) and, surely, the best view of any of the preceding 60 establishments listed here.
 

Café Racer
(no fixed abode, but regularly at Salthouse beach)
North Norfolk coast