Category: Posts of Nowhere

Oh, bad, very bad…

Decided this was not a photo op. Derek was stopped at border control after routine scanning of bags, while going through customs to board the Eurostar train to France. Not too worried at first – we are used to having food bags inspected (gluten free supplies). But it wasn’t the gluten free crackers or the ice bricks – it was our old camping knife, somehow having made its way to the other side of the world.

The first guard showed it to another guard, who showed it to another guard, and then another guard came over. Derek said he didn’t want the knife anyway – but received a minimal response.

Meanwhile, I am in everybody’s way with my luggage in the queue, so I go through and leave Derek to his fate. “I’ll see you on the other side”, I said. As I’m swamped again in the next crowd, I turn back and Derek smiles at me reassuringly. This is so unusual that I feel the first alarm. The second wave of alarm is when my view is blocked by border police.

Fortunately, I did see Derek on the other side of customs. Apparently carrying a kitchen knife around the UK is an offence. Good to know.

Apparently, the conversation went something like this.

“Can I see your passport?”

“Another Australian!”

“Is it an offence to carry around a knife in Australia?”

“Uh, no.”

“Have you been on Eurostar before?”

“No.”

“Are you stupid?”  OK, I made that up – they were courteous London police.

Must have been convincing because Derek ended up sitting beside me as we rolled through the channel to Calais.

Prior to our travels, I heard horror stories of food in England, of fruit and vegies old and flavourless and it is not true! Thanks to the advice of Glynn, we use Google Maps to seek out Marks and Spencer food halls, and stock up on delicious, cost-effective pre-made meals, and fresh, high quality fruit and vegetables. I am sure these are also obtainable elsewhere, but thus far, we have not gone wrong with Marks and Spencer (famous for clothing in Australia, who knew they also specialised in food?) As much as possible we are self-catering – the AUD is down, and we thought eating out would be cheaper than it is. The restaurant prices in England are comparable to Australia (and more expensive than Ireland). Eating out each day would quickly erode our budget and kid’s inheritance. It’s more difficult when we can’t freeze our ice bricks, although the Airbnb places are usually wonderful for amazing breakfasts which set us up for the day.

Ireland was brilliant for gluten free options. Fudge and icecream are particularly fine everywhere we go and we are walking sufficiently to allow this indulgence. Perhaps I will start a cottage industry making fudge on our return…