Who is saying the British are the best in the world, except you to make the same point endlessly, regardless of thread? Wine is overpriced here. That’s because we make comparatively little and have to import it so there is a longer supply chain than in your local wine pump and everybody needs a margin, and then pay a huge amount of tax on it. At least some of the tax goes on worthwhile things, and wine is a luxury, so who cares? How much do you pay for a half pound of high quality cheddar in your corner shop in Provence?
my brit food movement ... my social circle They give it all that re food then they come to visit I take them out ... that learns them and most get to eat the best they ever will Cheddar I take it with me as I struggle with French Cheese ... just my farming upbringing I only eat Cheedar I have seen Wyke Cheddar in my local supermarket it’s €4 a packet but that’s the only one. My eldest son is a chef and also struggles with the transistion between the two countries. At least it has pushed him on There is generally no comparisons as we know that local Europe takes its food extremely seriously. Our TV channels have sold the false impression to the masses and I am sick of hearing that my friend have eaten here and there. Good food even to the standard I have locally is very difficult to match in the UK Prosecco
In my experience, if you eat local stuff where locals eat in Europe - France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal certainly - it’s really good, fresh and relatively reasonably priced (though you can spend a lot if you want). But non local stuff is generally very poor. In the U.K. our local cuisines might not be as strong, but the variation, even when you avoid the horrible chain restaurants, is really great. Even in a little place like Leamington I can get very good Italian and Spanish food, an abundance of Asian stuff, and superb Portuguese pastries. I have eaten these foods in their place of origin and although the versions here aren’t identical they are very good. As I like variation this suits me fine. Anyway, food and wine are meant to be enjoyed not argued about. It’s not a competition.
15 years on the League Of Gentlemen returned last night. Always an acquired taste (I love it) and always risky resurrecting something so iconic first time round, it was brilliant. Funny, creepy, surreal as always. Two more episodes to go, tonight and tomorrow. I hope Papa Lazarou is involved.
Just watched this on iPlayer - they've done a great job recreating the feel of the original series, but also bringing it up to date - I love all the small things that go on in the background to the main story, which adds to the surealism - absolutely brilliant
Loved the way they tried to make the whole thing into a mini-Brexit debate - hilarious! Papa Lazarou will be back, surely they'll make another series - Tubbs has to be rescued!
Didn’t do it for me this time. But I caught a 2 Ronnies episode before so it all seemed all a bit overdone. Father Ted it is not
That surprises me. I think the root of League of Gentlemen is Mr Lynch’s Elephant Man. The grotesque but human is their thing. Obviously they are not on the same planet as Lynch, but I doubt anyone else is.
I thought that this mini-series was excellent, and possibly better than the early stuff. I'm also looking forward to the new series of Inside Number 9, which has been sporadically brilliant in the past.
I enjoyed Dunkirk, except Mr lovey lovey wanna be Laurence Olivier, even thought Mr Styles put on a good show. Twice I had to hold my breath
Are you talking about Rylance? Hugely overrated. Not seen this. I do love the way we (the British) like to celebrate our defeats and score draws against military opponents just as much as big wins. Hastings, the Charge Of the Light Brigade, Rorke’s Drift, most of the Great War battles which were obscenely high scoring draws, Dunkirk, Arnhem sit very comfortably next to Agincourt, Blenheim, Trafalgar, Waterloo, D Day etc.
Just saw a trailer whilst at the cinema (for the new Star Wars film, enjoyable if you're a Star Wars fan) for a film adaptation of the play Journey's End by R. C. Sherriff, coming out next year, based in the trenches in France in 1918, looks quite dark and bleak, with the mental collapse of their local commnnder - hopefully the acting will do it justice.
As a fellow Flashman fan you’ll know and understand my fascination with many a Victorian-era skirmish.