[Darby]

Bad day eh Willow??

I'm afraid that the UK and most of the North of England in particular is a gastronomic desert.!!

Worst of all are the prices....

Living on the continent, I can get almost any type of food (and I mean European Food, not eastern flied lice etc.). All of it at very reasonable prices. East Germany is also a bit like the N of England in that they are somewhat limited in choice, but nowhere near as bad as East Lancs.

Within 500 yards I have a French, German, Italian, Greek, Balkan, and unfortunately a Vietnamese and Thai restaurants. Naturally, prices vary, and so does service (the Germans are not noted for serving, as their jack-boots make a loud noise). Last week we had a Greek meal. Garlic Pitta Bread, Greek salad, Lamb Fillets with potatoes and veg, Tiramisu (Sweet) and a Litre of ordinary Greek red wine. Cost.........£10 each (all in). In the Italian you can get almost any main meal for under £12, and Pasta dishes are all under £8. Pizza costs no more than £6.

I travel all over Europe and I find the best food at very good prices can be had in Madrid, where food from all over Spain is Fresh, Cheap and the service is excellent.

I feel sorry for those of you in Accy who enjoy their food and drink....your choices are very, very limited...and you'll be ripped-off almost everywhere you go. It's the same for wine, the prices in the UK are tax, tax, tax and a bit for the cost of the wine.

Apart from good French and Italian wines I buy a boxed Chile, Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5%, 1½ litres, for......wait for it......................£1.15........Not brilliant but very quaffable.

Beer.....the best in the world (Munich bier) at between £5-£14 for 20 - ½litre bottles.

Yes,, Europe has a lot af faults.....But in the UK...you are being taken for a ride.

(I'm not trying to be clever...just pointing out how unfortunate you are regarding food and drink)

I'll have to bring a (free) bottle of Schnapps over next time I come!!