Ham Pizza & Cinnamon Pretzel

Ham Pizza & Cinnamon Pretzel

Gbp2.50

3/5

The second day of walking around London for hours upon hours, I decided it was time to eat, it wasn't the first time I had eaten in days, but was the first I though I would do a review for...

Probably should have said I was eating in...

I managed to find a cheapish bakery in centralish London, not far from the trendy Camden markets, where I got the above treats the day after the Olympic opening at Hyde park. Duran Duran were cool, although the rest were a little MOR. Was pretty cool to see the opening amongst so many people (50,000 I think were there maybe?) although there were no fireworks where we were and I didn't really understand the jet-planes flying over and doing the French  flag (or Russia/Holland... pending on your perspective).

Nothing excites me as much as a field of litter.

The pizza was a good filler (albeit only a luke-warm one (that funny temperature that make you think "has this been warmed in the microwave or just left in the sun" (perhaps the worst temperature to eat sushi at))) after browsing the British Museum. It took about 2hours to get through world history from 2000bc to only 20ad. Might have to go back and see what relics the English have nicked from the rest of the world over the last 2000 years. There was just a bit too much to take in in one day after yet more coffee disappointment... (ordered an Americano at the cafe, their interpretation of Americano is a black coffee, London might be teh most inconsistent places for a coffee in the civilised world)

One thing that has been bugging me as I was biting down on the pretzel that tasty much like a cinnamon doughnut was that why Olympians when they win feel the need to bite on their medals?! Historically miners would bite down on gold, as it's a fairly soft metal to tell if it was the real deal (I'd imagine it'd bend or you could leave a mark) but none of the medals are made from gold (the gold medal is made from silver if this site is to be believed) it's just silly, unless they're real hungry after training, which then is understandable.

Anyway the food was good, although somewhat standard bakery fair, nothing to get excited about and certainly nothing worth wearing holes in the soles of you shoes to get.

English Breakfast

English Breakfast

Gbp3.70

3/5

I found out the other day that I have been risking my life on the countryside stroll up to East Grinstead. Word is on the street (more around the BBQ) is that there is a ghost of something somewhere on the track. Maybe I'll go out one night and see if I can track this apparition down and get some snaps... maybe...

Today's meal is the traditional English breakfast, which I did track down and manage to find at an affordable price. The funny thing is, as much as I was warned not to compare prices with NZ$ I'm seem to be finding that the humble NZ$ is about 10% stronger than the GBP (maybe that just AKL prices compared to "village" prices). This breakfast being an easy example, but even better is that you can get Laproiag 10yo at the supermarket for 25gbp!!!

Not a bad meal, the cup of tea came with it too! It was called the budget breakfast, 'cause there was only one of everything (excluding the beans...). The egg was cooked very well and would give some of the Chums  a run for there money (or vinegar, or whatever other tricks you have up your sleeve...).

Not bad but not amazing. I also hear you can get a breakfast buffet it London for 4Gbp if  you know where you're going...

Penn State Pretzels

Penn State Pretzels

79p/250g

2.5/5

 I found a ladybird in my hair when I started to eat these pretzel treats, a ladybird to match the spider I found there yesterday.

 There's growing opposition here to culling badges. I suggest they take refuge in my locks, apparently lots to eat and probably quite warm.

I digress...

Like every other pretzel ever invented...

 The pretzels taste like every other salted, bagged pretzel I ever had, maybe they all come from the same factory? On the upside they done well to soak up a couple of pints from the "Sportsman Pub". True to the pubs name, half way through my first warm pint whilst the juke box played Kashmir, some bloke pulled up in his Prius with one of the Olympic torches and came in to show it off to the locals at the bar. I had been wondering what was sporty about the place as men with beer bellys talked about why Darts should be taught at school (teaches the kids for to count down from 501), now I know. There were also dogs running around the pub, added a friendly atmosphere I suppose...

 The pretzels were a fine match to a couple of pastries and the downhill walk along the rail trail back to my lodgings for a BBQ.

Shandy Bass

Shandy Bass

39p/330mls

2/5 stars

 Today, for the first entry to the gastronomic guide is Shandy Bass. For a modest 39p its available from the classy "Less than 99p Store". One must negotiate an old railway trail for about 30mins to get to the charming East Grinstead and this wee shop of treasures. 

The Bass. Not a flavour sensation.

 Weighing in at less than 0.5% alc/vol underages would be best to stick with Natural Vanilla Essence for the kicks (around 50%alc/vol). S.bass comes in a modest 330ml can, nothing on the usual 500ml cans of beer that the kids like to drink in the park on a Sunday afternoon.

 The taste is that of a beer watered down with sugar water and topped up with sprite. This drink isn't too classy and it's not advised you drink it too close to the wood fronted buildings around Grinstead as this is a crime against taste and could land you in the olde lock up.

East Grinstead. The classy side of town

 Although this drink is better than the handful of nettles I got on the way home (which seem to be everywhere in the countryside), save your penny's for the 5gbp 3 course curry, a much finer dining experience.