Lady Magnon is never allowed abroad without taking a list of goodies to bring back. Her recent trip to Blighty was no exception.
The French had no real colonial presence in India (other than Pondicherry), so Indian foods are not common here; certain spices (although available in tiny quantities) are always on my list. A large bag of crushed chillies, another of cumin seeds, and some good hot curry powder, were all needed.
Certain veg' seeds I can't buy here (I can't think why); perpetual Spinach, Cavolo Nero, and curly Kale, are still not grown in the French potager, so the seeds have to be imported.
Also on the list were small 75mg aspirins, some kitchen hooks, Polo mints for the car, and some really good mature Cheddar cheese.
A copy of Private Eye is always brought back, as well as the most recent Sunday Times with all its supplements.
I'm not sure if I should mention this, but she also brought back a dozen pairs of pants for me! I am very particular about my underwear, and my favourites come from Marks and Spencers. The cheap rubbish that one buys here is banned from the Magnon 'smalls' drawer. The last lot will now all be rounded-up, and thrown away.
My goodies were very much appreciated; thank you m'dear!
23 comments:
I expected to see some Farmers" Market mature cheddar but see it is a supermarket bulk pack and even has your name on it. Was there a matching one with Lady M's name on it?
Why throw them away? Here we recycle our smalls. Rags are useful for all sorts of cleaning jobs, even French ones.
People can get British products like polo mints, cheddar, Heinz beans, Guinness, and even French things like Brie, Charlie Hebdo and Galuoises, and also Italian wines and Greek feta and olives . . . the list of European products is endless.
In Vienna that is. Maybe more difficult in rural areas. Except for the French fags. You can get them anywhere.
That was to stop Kimbo from eating it whilst it was in his fridge.
I would have to travel a long distance to get some of these things. Also certain spices are only sold in small packs, it's easier to big bags.
Like us. In Athens you can find most things English, even M&S. Being a country bumpkin I wouldn't even know where to look. Totally different in the sticks. Now and again by some miracle a jar of marmite might appear on a shelf.
We have visitors coming at the end of august from NZ. I have already started my list!
I'm probably over-complaining, but it's so much easier to get good supplies in one place, where you know they'll have EVERYTHING.
Sometimes I wonder what I would have missed if I had lived elsewhere.
Probably not a lot. The world is a much smaller place these days.
I MUST APOLOGIZE AGAIN FOR CHLOE'S COMMENTS. SHE IS OBVIOUSLY VERY SICK AND NEEDS SERIOUS HELP. I DO TRY TO DELETE EVERYTHING AS IT ARRIVES.
'Pilgrim's Choice'? Never heard of it.
It's good. As good a commercial Cheddar as one can get.
I've just packed six months' supply of Cadbury chocolate bars.
I've just remembered, she did also bring a big pack of McVities DARK chocolate digestives. Leclerc only sells the MILK chocolate ones.
I've just seen ONE Swallow; the first. However, methinks it does not a Summer make.
I am sure it is wonderful to have your wife home again, especially since she came bearing gifts. Enjoy!
It was becoming very quiet. I like a bit of conversation with my meals.
When I grew up in Canada relatives would bring buckets of stuff from the UK. Now it's all freely available but at a hefty price. Result is we do a "UK run" once a year anyway. Cro, do have a look at M&S or John Lewis online...
Yes, cost is another thing; to buy Marmite here you need a mortgage. I do buy through Amazon occasionally; mostly Indian stuff.
My favourite Cheddar too I see. so much cheese here is quite tasteless these days unless one buys from the maker direct.
We've bought this one before and it's excellent. There's really little to compare to a good mature Cheddar.
You say that while living in France the country of cheese. Unbelievable..
ooh Chloe. England makes some of the very best cheeses!
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