Can we have a General issues/gossip topic?

[dulwichmum]

Dear Mr Batdog,

Are you going to Equador? I believe the cockroaches are as big as your fist!

[batdog]

Michael, the word "cricket" does not belong to my vocabulary.. sorry.

D-Mum, no Ecuador, Caribbean instead... I am used to cockroaches, ...human cockroaches... far more dangerous than the South American type....!!! So I'll be safe... thank you (tu)

[CrystalClear]

I reckon BD's off here :))

Spa

[Keef]

Hope you've got your pet passport BD, as 6 months in quarantine would be unpleasant, and I'm not sure DM could survive that long ;-)

[dulwichmum]

Dear Batdog,

Keefs words are true, what ever will I do? Are you going to Sandals - as per Mr Crystalclears guess? Why would you want to go to a couples resort? 6 months in quarentine is sure to provide you with a dull coat and limpen you ears somewhat.

[Guest]

Perhaps he's going here..

http://www.caribbean-hideaways.com/hedonism_II.html

[CrystalClear]

There should be work warning on that! (Though it is what I spent most of the morning looking for!). I agree. Batdog - will you enlighten us :)

[batdog]

CrystalClear and Bob and D-Mum,

No Sandals, No Hedonism... I am NOT that ordinary. I like more secluded and adventurous places.

As I said previously, at this stage I am unable to disclose my destinations, but will declassify informations when I am back. Unfortunately at the moment I am still under the miserable grey sky of London. B)

Re: Quarantine, I have worldwide clearance wherever I go. (tu)

[dulwichmum]

Dear Mr Batdog,

You really are quite the glamorous dog - in the manner of James Bond I think. Here I sit, surrounded by roses, and with a box of my favourite Godiva chocolates close to hand, having just returned from Gordon Ramseys at Hospital Road Chelsea - sitting at my computer! Whatever could be the attraction?

[SimonM]

>> having just returned from Gordon Ramseys at Hospital Road Chelsea<<

Gordon Ramsey eh? I can remember when you did not have to go and slum it in Chelsea to visit a trendy restaurant but could pay top dollar to be personally insulted by Nico Ladenis in his expensive yet terribly-trendy Lordship Lane eaterie...

[batdog]

Dear D-Mum, or shall I call you Lady Godiva ?

I hope you enjoyed every single "bite" of chocolate ? >:D<

[Michael Palaeologus]

Just got back from a business trip to Estonia. Cold, grey and snowy; but the people are lovely.

It would seem that the bloody Postie had nicked all my Valentine's day cards. I am not impressed. I tried telling the Police, but they referred me to the Maudsley Hospital - which is in Camberwell and so way off topic.

Anyway, good to be back. Anybody receive any surplus Valentine's day cards they can pass on to me?

[dulwichmum]

Dear Mr Mikewbate,

You can share my chocolates...Poor you. Mr Michael N - who is this Nico Ladernis? I am too exhausted to do the whole Google thing... 'Chez Nico' springs to mind, but I cannot even remember what that refers to.... and darling Batdog - why are you currently so obsessed with saving cats? I have just staggered off a plane, but cannot believe I did not notice your messages before. Come on boys and girls - lets get back on board with random chit chat/general issues and gossip. Otherwise we will be back to talking about the price of fish, equity and the choice of schools.........

[beth]

I'm interested in people's thoughts when comparing the films Notes on a Scandal with Venus - both good films but interesting portrayl of sexuality in older people.

[Guest]

dulwichmum Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dear Mr Mikewbate,

>

> You can share my chocolates...Poor you. Mr

> Michael N - who is this Nico Ladernis? I am too

> exhausted to do the whole Google thing... 'Chez

> Nico' springs to mind, but I cannot even remember

> what that refers to.... and darling Batdog - why

> are you currently so obsessed with saving cats? I

> have just staggered off a plane, but cannot

> believe I did not notice your messages before.

> Come on boys and girls - lets get back on board

> with random chit chat/general issues and gossip.

> Otherwise we will be back to talking about the

> price of fish, equity and the choice of

> schools.........

Nico Ladenis was a renowned Greek chef via Tanzania and France who opened a restaurant in Dulwich in the early 1970s. He went on to achieve Michelin-starred status and also had some connection with Marco Pierre White. I think Chez Nico was originally in Battersea, then moved to Park Lane. He is now retired and lives in France.

I stand to be corrected, but was his restaurant not where that Chinese one is now, close to the Magdala but on the opposite side of the road?

[capt_birdseye]

Yes it was.

[SimonM]

Yes, "Chez Nico" was originally at "Mr Liu's". I rememember that, instead of posting a menu in the winoow, Nico posted a very sniffy message to the effect that if you wanted to knoow about his restaurant then (a) look him up in the (then) two leading restaurant guides of the day and (b) he would confirm however he did not do prawm cocktails or steaks more than medium rare. Naturally everyone gave him rave reviews....

[dulwichmum]

Dear Beth,

I wish I had seen the films you describe, but I have been so sleep deprived for the last five years plus, all I do is work - stress, write my blog and read books on parenting on the bus! Films on sexuality eh? If I only had the energy to watch them - that would be a departure............ Sorry.

Mr Captain_Birdseye and Mr Simon M - where is Nico when I need him? I have found Beauberry House quite over rated, as was Belair. The food at the Palmerston has been rather good of late though....... I wonder what everyone else thinks? Is Batdog still around?

[SimonM]

>>>Mr Captain_Birdseye and Mr Simon M - where is Nico when I need him? I have found Beauberry House quite over rated, as was Belair. The food at the Palmerston has been rather good of late though....... I wonder what everyone else thinks?<<

I thought Belair quite appalling - not yet honoured Beauberry with my patronage. or indeed the Palmerston. But Franklins does a wonderful Welsh Rarebit!

[dulwichmum]

Dear Mr SimonM,

I love my husband dearly, but anything else Welsh that I have ever experienced - is not for me! Far too many vowels for my liking. Is that not some kind of cheese on toast?

[mockney piers]

Well I've tried to do the palmerston, but they've been so rude to us on the two occasions we tried that I will simply never set foot in there again under current management reagrdless of the quality of the food, too many gastro pubs in london of middling quality anyway, and with the likes of The Princess in Shoreditch, Emiles in Putney and our own dear Franklins around, I can't say as I'm missing out.

DM, I've not tried Belair, but I remember Huguenot went and loved the food but admitted that though it was great quality, value was still a little wanting.

Personally I've always had a soft spot for the Welsh. Weird, on a flickrCentral thread I've been enjoying someone started blaming the Welsh for my inability to woo Kirsten Dunst.

[SimonM]

>>Is that not some kind of cheese on toast?<<

The Franklins version - home-made bread and a proper cheese/beer/mustard mix and all - is to "cheese on toast" as a slab of Aberdeen Angus rump from William Rose is to a McGrunge hamburger...

But I do congratulate you on the de haut en bas intonation of your (no doubt!) tongue in cheek dismissal....B)

[dulwichmum]

Dear Mr Mockney Piers,

Please send me the link to that flickr thread. I would love to see it, and I am rubbish at finding things on the web.

Mr SimonM - you have convinced me, I am off to Franklins this weekend, and will have the Welsh Rarebit! I will let you know how we get on. Thanks.

Oh the joys of a rambling thread!

[mockney piers]

Here you go DM, at 347 posts long of nonsense i can only say you've been warned http://www.flickr.com/groups/central/discuss/72157594530910497/

ps you may have to join flickrcentral to be allowed to read it.

[dulwichmum]

Dear Mr Mockney Piers - now that was a rambling thread! I think I need to open a bottle of wine after that! It is Lent tomorrow, and then I shall give up everything. No more wine, no more chocolate, no more snacks, no more fun......