Food heroes!

Well, Christmas is on us once again. This year, I’m attempting to do something a bit special with the turkey a la Gordon Ramsay. See his link on the BBC website. I’ll report back on how successful I was! http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/christmas/food_nffgordonramsay.shtml

There are also some fantastic food suppliers who all appeared in Rick Stein’s festive food heroes programme this week. They are all listed here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/christmas/food_heroes.shtml

along with some excellent recipes!

Enjoy.

My commuting moans - the first in an occasional series

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

I have been sampling the delights of various rail franchises for more than a decade now, in particular the East Grinstead to London Victoria line. For years, I had to put up with dirty, smelly, inefficient slam door trains which all too often turned up late. But, one thing which rarely happened was that they didn’t break down.

This thought occurred to me this morning when told that the Southern Rail Services’ 8.12 from Upper Warlingham would be seven … no, ten … no, fifteen … oh, bugger it, 20 minutes late because of a fault on the train. These are brand new trains!! But they break down more often than an old Soviet-built Lada with 500,000 miles on the clock.

I was actually once told by a conductor that these new trains had a design fault so that within six months, the doors would jam and people could get trapped in them. His prophecy seems to have been borne out as the most common fault I have experienced is jammed doors.

It seems to me if you are going to invest millions of pounds in new rolling stock then at least you could do is make sure your passengers can get off and on them .. !

I am sure this will not be my last moan about Southern Rail ….

R

Noodles don't absorb alcohol...

... they definitely don't as I feel crap today! But the soft-sheeled crab in Miso's ( George Street, Croydon ) is highly recommended. Great White Lion outing ... lots of fun, booze and hats. We even met a girl in the Warehouse Theatre who was convinced we are a bunch of swingers! Martin M-P particularly took her fancy! That's her next to Rhona in her halo!

Unfortunately, Martin gave her his business card so expect some messages, Mart., she is definitely interested.

The White Lion Christmas Outing

Today is the White Lion's annual Christmas outing. More than 20 regulars will be trekking down to sunny Croydon to sample a variety of the more traditional pubs in Old Town. Then it's a meal at Miso's noodle bar where we will be opening our secret santa presents. This year its hats. Then, with our hats on, we will go to the Warhouse Theatre to see the Woody Allen mysteries.

I shall post some piccies here when I find out how to do it.

Richard