As you will know from previous blogs, I find it helpful, and often necessary, to go to a cafe which serves coffee. The terminology of recent is ‘a coffee shop’. The emphasis, of course, on coffee in its many varied forms rather than the other non alcoholic beverages they serve. I go for the boost of caffeine combined with the presence of other people, a general hubbub.

Caffè Nero in East Street, Chichester is my favourite as they frequently play classical music, a mix of the best known pieces. For a connoisseur the renditions will be appalling. Mozart, I fear, will be turning in his grave. But as a background for me it’s perfect.

This is where I met Bill, another frequent early morning customer, who has given his name, unbeknownst, to my latest protagonist. My Bill would, with Mozart, be shocked at these pieces of piped music as he is a music critic. But I can’t worry about that as on these many occasions of being able to absorb myself into this conducive atmosphere, the hiss of foaming milk, the chink of spoon against cup, allows me to tell his story.

But there is a new coffee shop which has my approval, much closer to home. The coffee is good, the service exceptional and the music, although not classical, is pleasing and unobtrusive, and I think I’m right in saying is from Greece. Il Foxo. The owner did explain the reason for the name of the café is an amusing take on a similar establishment in Greece. The fox features in the decor.

But this is entirely appropriate as there is a real life fox that prowls nearby. The night visitor who I often encountered in the summer, a brazen beast who considers that I’m on his or her patch rather than the other way round. In winter he or she leaves a casual trail of paw prints in the snow while visiting all the gardens in the vicinity. What tales he or she must have to tell?

So here’s to 2025 toasted in coffee, all the best to all of my followers!