I guess it's time for me to start submerging myself in British history and quirkiness for our trip next September, or was it October? I don't suppose they have a Britainology TV program...
Penny, what did we do with the book "The Year 1000"? Or did I already read it? I'll even have to read Mother's volume on British Food or check out these dishes. Fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, full breakfast, cullen skink and pasties I can handle but steak and kidney pie, blackpudding and jellied eels I'll leave for Daddy and Fernando! Laverbread (Welshman's caviar) will be for Jen. This Christmas we could have Yorkshire Pudding along with the standing rib roast that Juan is so crazy about (I don't mind it myself, especially with horseradish sauce). Now mind you, these are "British", not "English" foods, so they include Scotch Eggs, which Mother even had at the Palms in Ventura, and Haggis, which only Fernando was brave enough to try in Scotland. Ah, to live so vicariously through one's husband!
Heck. I'll even eat Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas, "recipe courtesy of Young Sun Huh". Who would have thought? And do you remember how Daddy always liked "Piccalilli"? I'm sorry this descended into food again but I think that is the most exciting part of my life
I was quite taken with “ThenYear 1000” and have a copy here, but I think it's mine and has been here a long time. It's one of the few books I've saved, because I consistently find that books are not as good the second time around.
ReplyDeleteYes, I’m interested in things British, as more American anglophiles, it is a dated perception, involving tea and crumpets, and British mysteries, and quaint villages. Probably very little to do with mainstream Britainish life today.
I think British food is better today, the same way American food is better. The choices are greater and so are the multicultural influences. Probably the best traditional meal is the Sunday pub dinner of a joint and two (or is it 3) sides. And it may include chips as well as roasted potatoes.
At any rate there is lots of new architecture to see, and I'll start making a list of other places. I haven't looked for London stuff for about 10 years!
What? England doesn't have quaint villages serving tea and crumpets with clotted cream? And Sherlock Holmes doesn't live at 10 Downing Street? Or was that someone else...
ReplyDeleteAt least we should get some good Indian food, right?