Off Topic Seafood.

Mine too mate, well my great gran was. Maggie O'Hare was her name and typical of that era, she was a right hard bastard as were most of them, they had to be too survive.

 

Have you tried Colemans in Ocean Rd? his trawlers are Wear based and catches all his own fish and the quality is spot on. Best around for me, locally i mean.

 

Also love Mussels from either Makro or Costco. Greenshell Mussels and they come in a half shell so no messing about.

Finely chop a shallot, slice a red chilli, soften in butter and add a glass of white wine, boil for a minute or two, add mussels and simmer for a few minutes with a lid on the pan, add cream and parsley and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with a grit big wedge of crusty bread for dipping in the juices. Lush.

 

That's quite a menu, definitely fulfills any pickled herring related needs.

 

Was on the same table as the old man Coleman and his wife
2009 cruise
Told us a few stories about the fish shop business

 

Tuna sarnies with stacks of vinegar, Fish Finger sarnies (mushed up with stacks of vinegar) and Fish'n'Chips!

The rest can get back in the 'oggin for me like

 

Been informed by the Northumberland side of the family that roll mop herrings are tops, never had them myself, but there is always a first time.
Had a drink once or twice with Latimer back in the 60's , it was mostly a garage business those days, but have never been in his Restaurant but have heard positive reports. One of my mates in those days lived in Whitburn and drove a " Duck " he used to fish off the Steel in it, then drive off the beach next to the garage on his way home, great lad, sadly no longer with us.

 

My old Granda was a hard nut and a bit of a tyrant, but my memories of my Ganny were sweet, mind you bringing up 14 kids might have calmed her down a bit.

 

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If I'd never tried pickled herring and someone told me it was delicious I'd probably think "righto I'm sure it is" and carry on never eating it but it really is very tasty.

 

It was a small amphibious vehicle DUKW, some kind of landing craft, possibly American, WW2 or even earlier. It had loads of character but totally useless.

 

Same as mine mate, although it was my granda that was the hard nut with his kids, but strangely enough i could have got away with murder. Tough times back then for them mate, we have it easy in comparison.

 

Jackie Whites market do roll mops mate, just see the fish monger on the left as you go in. Latimers also do them as will most wet fish shops.

 

We seem too have very similar backgrounds, and all the better for it.

 

Aye mate looks that way. I was born in Grangetown in my grandmothers house, but we lived in Hendon when i was a nipper. Got a lot of fond memories of the docks and surrounding areas going out for long walks with my Granda's greyhounds. He used to walk the frigging legs off me and seemed to know everyone, like you could only walk a few minutes then he would bump into someone and stop for a natter, but that's how it was back then. I wish i could wind the clock back sometimes.

 

Our lass bought me a smoker for Xmas and i got myself a pizza oven last week ready for the summer coming i'me a bit like Jamie Oliver can't cook fu ck all but have a canny lisp.

 

Aye it was the same at our house my dad took me for a walk over the gardens and then Clatchie rock most nights but everybody he seemed to meet he called them Jackie as though he new them.

 

I was so lucky when I was a kid my dad came up past the quay every day on his way home from work and brought in 2 massive crabs for my mam to cook and dress had them everyday when they were in season and never got fed up with them better than lobster I reckon also bloody love oysters.

 

The Lythe valley hotel near us does them in a cream sauce as a starter probably the best starter i have ever had.