In a brief nostalgic moment, as I brewed myself a nice cup of Tea this morning, I thought I would introduce my American friends to some of the great things we of the Queen's country enjoy which are not so easily accessible this side of the pond.
I for one am a stickler for a good brew. Don't be fooled by these impersonation Teas, whether it be green, or red or white(how the devil do you have a white tea, surely that's someone pulling the wool over your eyes?). A cup of 'black' tea with a splash of milk. If it was good enough for Queen Elizabeth I, Churchill and King Charles II then it's good enough for me, rumour has it we colonised India for the stuff, mind you, would their economy be where it is now without the guidance of us Brits back in the day? I doubt it.
What with all this talk of India and tea, it seems like a great time to introduce the most English of sports, Cricket. With all the hustle and bustle of American sport, the serenity of a game of cricket might be a tough one to follow for our high speed American fellows. I mean how can a game possibly last for 5 days and there still be no winner? How can a sport incorporate lunch and Tea as part of its playing guidelines? Well, let me tell you, that there is no better time to have a cup of tea and a scone, with lashings of whipped cream and strawberries, than in the Tea break of a game of cricket. Picnics around the boundary with the therapeutic thump of leather on willow, whilst basking in the afternoon sun in the English countryside is a fabulous way to spend a summer afternoon.
The English food has a terrible reputation amongst our distant cousins from the USA, still now I meet people who are all to hasty to rubbish the quality of the English cuisine, and quite unjustifiably so. Maybe 15 years ago when 'Pub grub' consisted of frozen ready made meals, with a bit of wilting garnish on the side, they had a case. Recently the emergence of great British Chefs has transformed our cuisine. There is nothing quite like a roasted leg of Romney Marsh lamb, with roast potatoes, broccoli, dwarf beans and parsnips lavishly coated with gravy, no matter what climate or country you find yourself in. In fact, whether it be a steak and ale pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips or a roast dinner itself, if its well cooked I would take it over nearly any other worldwide cuisine. Just ask Lady F, who happens to be one of the best cooks I have come across, regularly getting 8 and 9 out of 10 for her meals (I don't issue many 10's for fear of breeding complacency).
So there you have a little insight into Blighty my friends. The beauty of the things I have just told you I love about England (of course there are more), is I can get them here (bar the cricket maybe, although I did notice a Compton Cricket Club on the interweb which I might investigate for another post).
As I finish another fine cup of Yorkshire tea, whilst watching the end of the cricket on TV, I must bid you farewell and head out to Sin City.
As always be Lucky
Lord F
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