Scone Spy enjoys the beaches of Northumberland with a stop at the tasty Drift Cafe

Drift Cafe in Cresswell (Paul Vicente/The Sunday Post)

THERE’S nothing like a good walk for working up an appetite.

Equally, there’s something about sea air that makes you hungry.

Put the two together and you have the perfect pairing for feeling peckish.

So after a hearty morning hike along the beach at Druridge Bay, I was more than peckish.

Famished. Starving. Tummy-rumbling desperate.

Northumberland is famous for its brilliant beaches – Bamburgh, Alnmouth anyone? – and Cresswell’s a cracker that more than holds its own.

Solitary dog walkers, playful kids, kite-flying families and loved-up couples had all been out in force.

It’s the sort of supreme sandy idyll that, given glorious summer weather, would make you wonder why on earth you’d ever endure airport hell in search of faraway beaches.

In fact, even though it wasn’t summer it was a gloriously sunny autumn morning. Surprisingly mild even, dare I say, with a bit of warmth.

It just meant that I felt could eat a horse. No, not literally, obviously – but very hungry and in need of a right good feast.

Which is why the sight of the Drift Café was like a very welcoming oasis in the sandy desert.

Sitting right behind the bay it’s really handy for non-beach bums, with its own car park and another at the beach opposite if you choose to arrive on four wheels.

It looks bright and welcoming, with outside chairs and tables that almost tempted. But a corner table inside with the sun streaming in was the perfect compromise.

Thankfully, given my hunger, there was loads to choose from on the big board.

And that extended to the scones in glass jars on the counter.

They were fruit and cheese but it was the cheese and chive and the treacle that called out to my dining companion and me.

The former was cheesy heaven, the latter rich and flavoursome.

As it was still late morning I also picked a bacon and sausage roll while my chum selected a ham and Emmental cheese sandwich, nicely toasted. Neither could be faulted in the slightest.

Looking around there were pictures by local artists on the wall, all for sale. And if you fancy a bit of a read as you munch your grub there are bookshelves underneath with plenty to appeal to everyone.

A couple at the next table were talking about how the café featured in one of Vera author Ann Cleeves’ novels. My growing feeling was that if you are passing on the nearby A1 it would be a crime to miss this little gem.

By the time we’d finished we were warm, full, fulfilled and glad we’d found a dune delight. If you get my Drift.