Virgin’s Better Offering On The Way From Manchester
In the seven hours I spent in the Manchester area, things improved.
All allergies were explained as they should be.
I also got two cups of tea and a Pepsi from the very good steward.
The ticket collector said he’d come back to collect my First Class Supplement. But he didn’t!
So I got it all for the price of a Standard Class Ticket.
Compare this with the outrun.
Virgin’s Poor Offering On The Way To Manchester
I travelled First Class up to Manchester and this was my snack offering.
Virgin’s Poor Offering On The Way To Manchester
It was obviously not gluten-free and there was no allergy information on the packet, as there should be now.
Compare this with the return.
Nigella Seeds In Waitrose
I took this picture in the spice section of my local Waitrose.
Nigella Seeds In Waitrose
Are these the reason, that the celebrity cookery writer and television presenter has grown some good-sized melons?
Serial Cooking – Ham, Potato And Fenland Celery Gratin
This is another Lindsey Bareham recipe from The Times
It was different and I quite liked it. It was also rather nice warmed up in the microwave the following day!
London’s Best Restaurants For Allergy Sufferers And Gluten-Free
I’m just putting a link to the list of 10 in last night’s Standard.
They missed out my two favourites; Vozar’s in Brixton and Arbutus in Soho.
But that makes a dozen.
Cake Anyone!
I’m not a cake connoisseur by any means, but I just had to put a link to Borough 22, even though I haven’t seen them for real, had a bite, or just a sniff.
As Marie Antoinette said “Let them eat cake! Even coeliacs and others with allergies!”
Premier Foods
Because of the reports like this one on the BBC, I have just crossed Premier Foods off my list of preferred suppliers for my kitchen.
I didn’t like Marmite anyway!
On The 10:45 From Paddington
I went to Cardiff taking the 10:45 out of Paddington. I chose this train as it features First Great Western’s Pullman Dining.
I had a simple brunch consisting of the most exquisite kedgeree, washed down with juice and a lot of genuine English tea. By the latter, I really do mean tea grown in Cornwall.
This is certainly the way to go to South Wales. First Great Western say this about booking on most trains except the ones that leave around 18:00.
Pullman Dining services are open to all ticket holders although, on busy services, priority is given to First Class ticket holders. Please contact the Pullman Service Leader when you board to request a table in the restaurant. Pullman Dining services do not operate on weekends or public holidays.
When did booking a meal in a high class restaurant be so easy?
The train I was on, also called at Reading at 11:10, gets to Cardiff at 12:46 and then goes on to Swansea, reaching there at 13.44, so it is very convenient for a lot of journeys.
The only problem was that the actual train I was on, didn’t have the wi-fi fully installed. I read that this should be running and free in the New Year.
I do hope that this concept succeeds, as travellers like me, who aren’t strapped for cash, will certainly use this type of service as a treat.
My First Class ticket, which I bought on-line the day before, cost me £31.55 and I paid £18.00 for the lunch, with its excellent food and service.
As I have been known to take the occasional day out in Bristol, I do wish a similar service was offered to there. And what about services to Torquay and Cheltenham?
Obviously, First Great Western know the economics and they certainly have a whole fleet of InterCity125s, with which they can run the service.
So will we still see these magnificent trains reborn as high-class leisure trains serving the West Country for upwards of twenty years in the future? I suspect we will, as these trains seem to have more survival genes, than a whole pack of London mongrels.
Did Terry Miller and his team in Derby realise what they were creating?
Serial Cooking – Quick Pasta For One
I cook this regularly and I always have the Waitrose ham hock and the Rachel’s yoghurt with honey in the fridge, with frozen peas in the freezer. It came originally from Lindsey Bareham, where she called it pulled ham hock and pea pasta with herbs.
It usually takes under fifteen minutes from starting to boil the water to sitting down.
Serial Cooking – Baked Salmon With Parmesan And Parsley Crust
This is one of my favourite quick suppers. It is from Mary Berry and is posted on the BBC Food website.
I actually used some very expensive salmon from Waitrose, that was being discounted, as I think it was even too expensive for Islington. I also got the fishmonger to take the skin off.
The great thing about this recipe, is that it is easily scaled for any number. You just need to guess the breadcrumbs and cheese mixes about right.
The Anonymous Widower 