Lonewolf Yorks:
I’m pretty sure the Goddard book is aimed at walkers rather than drivers
Christ, that’s a long walk Chris, London to Edinburgh. Mind you you’d get a few bob for Nights Out eh ? 
Ha ha, aye that would be a trek Archie. The Goddard book is mainly for those that want to visit the places of interest situated around the old road (and the new) although he did travel the route by car several times, apart from the beginning when it was easier to use the London Underground to find the source and how it changed before leaving the Smoke! Of course no hint of heavy transport use or the many watering holes once found.
What is interesting about the road is the way it has changed in quite recent times, even I can remember having started my distance driving at the beginning of the Eighties many of the roundabouts and steep climbs that are now extinct or have been bypassed travelling North or South from Newcastle. Many older drivers on here will also recall the road before then during the Sixties and Fifties even, which I only have memories of as a child passenger. I remember my Dad telling me when he first started long distance and was loaded for London asking his mate for info, he was told ‘Just get on the A1 South and keep going’, he likely gave more info than that, stops, cafes, destination point etc, but the first answer said it all about the road. Franky.
The filling station opposite Quernhow café on the southbound side was known as Sinderby services it was a popular bunkering stop for a lot of Scottish hauliers they built a Little Chef which was handy wee used to park up in their car park at night.Another popular café which was missed in the book was Fords Café in Longbennington it was on the left just as you came into the village from the south. The beds were in what had been two semi-detached houses next to the café they also owned an old Chapel which was converted into single cubicals in winter time the heating was one Valor paraffin heater!!!. Eddie.
Aye Fords of Long Bennington That’s a blast from the past, A great watering hole in my book , very clean & real good food, plus nice staff to serve us old drivers, A very popular place & clean beds, Happy long gone days, Regards Larry.
erfguy:
The filling station opposite Quernhow café on the southbound side was known as Sinderby services it was a popular bunkering stop for a lot of Scottish hauliers they built a Little Chef which was handy wee used to park up in their car park at night.Another popular café which was missed in the book was Fords Café in Longbennington it was on the left just as you came into the village from the south. The beds were in what had been two semi-detached houses next to the café they also owned an old Chapel which was converted into single cubicals in winter time the heating was one Valor paraffin heater!!!. Eddie.
Before it was Sinderby Services it was as I seem to remember The Windmill Cafe. Also does anybody recall a Green Corragated Tin Shed Cafe on the left coming South just a few miles South of Berwick, I just forget the exact location. The Mince and Mashed Potatoes though was fantastic.
Cheers, Archie.
Archie Paice:
erfguy:
The filling station opposite Quernhow café on the southbound side was known as Sinderby services it was a popular bunkering stop for a lot of Scottish hauliers they built a Little Chef which was handy wee used to park up in their car park at night.Another popular café which was missed in the book was Fords Café in Longbennington it was on the left just as you came into the village from the south. The beds were in what had been two semi-detached houses next to the café they also owned an old Chapel which was converted into single cubicals in winter time the heating was one Valor paraffin heater!!!. Eddie.Before it was Sinderby Services it was as I seem to remember The Windmill Cafe. Also does anybody recall a Green Corragated Tin Shed Cafe on the left coming South just a few miles South of Berwick, I just forget the exact location. The Mince and Mashed Potatoes though was fantastic.
Cheers, Archie.
That would be the one at Scremmerston I think, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Archie Paice:
erfguy:
The filling station opposite Quernhow café on the southbound side was known as Sinderby services it was a popular bunkering stop for a lot of Scottish hauliers they built a Little Chef which was handy wee used to park up in their car park at night.Another popular café which was missed in the book was Fords Café in Longbennington it was on the left just as you came into the village from the south. The beds were in what had been two semi-detached houses next to the café they also owned an old Chapel which was converted into single cubicals in winter time the heating was one Valor paraffin heater!!!. Eddie.Before it was Sinderby Services it was as I seem to remember The Windmill Cafe. Also does anybody recall a Green Corragated Tin Shed Cafe on the left coming South just a few miles South of Berwick, I just forget the exact location. The Mince and Mashed Potatoes though was fantastic.
Cheers, Archie.That would be the one at Scremmerston I think, Regards Larry.
Yes Larry, that’s the name of the place Scremmerston, a good place to stop, a bit basic as I recall.
Cheers, Archie.
Amazon have it listed here in the US but as ‘limited’ and no price yet 
Can you blokes figure out how many $ your going to chage us Yanks for it and PLEASE send a few copies over to the Colonies
Charles
Archie the Windmill was the next café down after the A19 roundabout remember they had a café on the northbound side as well. EDDIE.
Eddie the Windmill was before the turn off for the A19, It was an old house when it first opened in the 50s, Then in the 60s I was re-built and named Rainton Services, Plus the new one on the North bound side knicknamed the Pondarosa, Then the Happy Eater lot got hold of it then Little Chef, Now all gone, Happy days, Regards Larry.
My oldman and his oppo’s used to frequent Lawson’s Café, what did that become later? Heading the other way the café on the left heading North that said it was the Last/First café in Scotland, used to be a good stop. I was coming out one day and a rather heavily laden dusty big old car (sideboards etc 50’s era) pulled in, the driver got out with a big grin on his face and asked if the café was okay, meanwhile a woman and about seven excited kids emerged from the car. It was the actor John Rhys Davies who played the friend of Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones films, you would have thought he’d just driven from the desert! Nice bloke though and he bade me a safe journey! You meet all sorts on the GNR. Franky.
Frankydobo:
My oldman and his oppo’s used to frequent Lawson’s Café, what did that become later? Heading the other way the café on the left heading North that said it was the Last/First café in Scotland, used to be a good stop. I was coming out one day and a rather heavily laden dusty big old car (sideboards etc 50’s era) pulled in, the driver got out with a big grin on his face and asked if the café was okay, meanwhile a woman and about seven excited kids emerged from the car. It was the actor John Rhys Davies who played the friend of Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones films, you would have thought he’d just driven from the desert! Nice bloke though and he bade me a safe journey! You meet all sorts on the GNR. Franky.
Frank Lawsons became The Lononderry Lodge now shut down Im told, The other one was at Gretna , The building is still there as far as I can remember, Regards Larry.
Archie Paice:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Archie Paice:
erfguy:
The filling station opposite Quernhow café on the southbound side was known as Sinderby services it was a popular bunkering stop for a lot of Scottish hauliers they built a Little Chef which was handy wee used to park up in their car park at night.Another popular café which was missed in the book was Fords Café in Longbennington it was on the left just as you came into the village from the south. The beds were in what had been two semi-detached houses next to the café they also owned an old Chapel which was converted into single cubicals in winter time the heating was one Valor paraffin heater!!!. Eddie.Before it was Sinderby Services it was as I seem to remember The Windmill Cafe. Also does anybody recall a Green Corragated Tin Shed Cafe on the left coming South just a few miles South of Berwick, I just forget the exact location. The Mince and Mashed Potatoes though was fantastic.
Cheers, Archie.That would be the one at Scremmerston I think, Regards Larry.
Yes Larry, that’s the name of the place Scremmerston, a good place to stop, a bit basic as I recall.
Cheers, Archie.
Aye Larry & Archie,i done a night change over in Berwick late 60s early 70s,Scremmerston was owned by a woman called Ruby,she was a good friend in those days,she ran it on nights ,Betty Brown worked there on days her husband Bill worked for Tayforth as i did, all three have passed on now, but Betty’s daughter (Betty) still works in Beal Services.i met her there again after 30 plus years while delivering fuel to that site.Regards Vic.
Cheers Larry, I wasn’t sure if I was correct if I’d said it was the Derry, I couldn’t remember it being the same place when later driving as it was when a young lad, I just liked the grub and huge mugs of Tea in these places back then!
Franky.
Just got my copy this morning. Many thanks to the author, some work has gone into it!!!
Had a quick look at the Durham section and noticed the ■■■■ O’ the North roundabout has retained it’s name. For those who don’t know the pub was flattened a few years ago and houses and flats built on the site. Just North of there, the Pot and Glass pub (which is called something else at the moment) is I think closed and for sale as a development site. Another landmark gone !!!
tyneside:
Just got my copy this morning. Many thanks to the author, some work has gone into it!!!
Had a quick look at the Durham section and noticed the ■■■■ O’ the North roundabout has retained it’s name. For those who don’t know the pub was flattened a few years ago and houses and flats built on the site. Just North of there, the Pot and Glass pub (which is called something else at the moment) is I think closed and for sale as a development site. Another landmark gone !!!
Hi Tyneside,
Yes the ■■■■ of the North was such a landmark I never thought I would see it go. My mam and dad lived just behind it in a large bungalow that overlooks the A1, although the trees have grown now with new owners and you no longer can see it from the A1.
When I was 19 I went to the ■■■■ of the North to meet Fred Johnson ownerof F Johnson and son Removal contractors of Durham and negotiated to buy them out and incorporate into our business. Sad when places like that go, as in its day it was so popular, as was the Pot and Glass. Hope it survives
Carl
This one is on the south side of the Moor House Pub as shown at Seaton Burn in the book, Great read, Regards Larry.
This one of Wideopen is where the Travelers Rest Pub is situated on the right, I was born in number 15 of the houses on the right, Regards Larry.
Grrr where were you lot when I was looking for info lol
My copy arrived today and after a quick glance through it seems Wolfie has done a great job, very well put together with the ‘then and now’ pics adding that extra appeal. I had a quick look at the Grantshouse page and the pic of the old café is the one I mentioned in an earlier post and not the Last café in Scotland one, memory is a wonderful thing! I see Wolfie has added a quote from Bumper, which is very apt, having worked with him I know he is very fond, like myself, of Scotland and his knowledge of the roads around the UK was vast, he pointed me in the right direction more than a few times.
I’m looking forward to having a good read through the book, like Wolfie, I also have soft spot for the A1. Travelling its length as a lorry mad kid and when I returned to road haulage after my army service it was the first route I travelled with my new Class 1 licence (needless to say most return journeys from Portabello quicker than the law permitted). I only get as far as Berwick in my present job but there’s no hurry these days and I can enjoy the scenery at a sedate pace which is some of the best in the country. Franky.