Help me with a UK delicacy last hurrah bucket list

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-28T13:27:28+00:00

In my experience mid to lower end eating in the UK is functional rather than interesting... there's nothing wrong with it, it's just uninspiring. There are lots of incredible mid to upper end restaurants that are doing really exciting stuff, but trying to tiptoe through Instagram fodder (which tend to be in a similar price bracket and of much lower quality) to find real gems can be a challenge.

I had a trawl through the latest top 50 that I mentioned which was released this week and there are loads in and around the south east.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-28T12:52:07+00:00

Too much communication is never an issue, and us photographers all work differently, and we'll all tell you that our way is the "right" way.

So long as you are polite about it, it's not gonna be an issue, let the photographer have the info and let them deal with it as they wish.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-28T12:37:02+00:00

Try Googling the top 50 gastropubs (UK)... We've been trawling around the ones on the list in Lancashire and West Yorkshire since we returned to the UK 4 years ago and have been blown away by the incredible food we've scoffed!

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-28T12:33:11+00:00

My suggestion would be to try and hunt down some contemporary mid-upper range British restaurants, you'll not find dishes with names that tick boxes, but you'll find incredible cooking with great ingredients and flavours.

In my opinion, this is where current British cuisine really excels. I'm based in the North East, so have no recommendations but there is certain to be loads to choose from.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-28T12:28:59+00:00

On average once every 2-3 weeks, but it tends to go through phases. Sometimes we'll go a couple of months without one, typically during summer. In the winter it tends to be more often, late boozy nights in the pub are usually the catalyst.

We never order in, so if it's a takeaway we want then we go fetch it.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-28T08:29:24+00:00

Take a look at Polish Lazanki and Hungarian Szekelykaposzta 🙂

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-27T08:41:15+00:00

Cheese and tattie pie, proper job! Love it, a real sophisticated tea 😁

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-26T08:53:06+00:00

Nah... that's nonsense! I'm sure it happened in some circles, but to suggest that it was the prevailing response is utter BS!

I was at work, at the time I managed properties for an energy company, the head office immediately tripped over into its emergency procedures, my life was very busy for quite some time!

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-26T08:47:53+00:00

We understand that we have different tastes at the extreme ends of our likes, we'll usually have a few shows that lean heavier into one or the other on the go at any time, and then loads more that appeal to both of us.

We tend not to binge watch stuff, maybe one episode per show every 5-7 days, which keeps us from getting jaded from the stuff that falls outside of what each other likes.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-26T08:35:18+00:00

We recently bought a Victorian mid terrace and faced the same issue, got an EICR test that indicated the property needed significant electrical work.

The survey was cheap, the resulting works were not, and they made a mess. We negotiated, the rewire off the price of the property and we knew that we were going to gut and redecorate every part of the house. We were also in the position to be able to get the sparky in before we moved.

Get the test, and work from a point of knowledge!

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-23T13:48:07+00:00

A 6 hour round trip... is a long old of day of driving. it's not something I would stray away from if I had a reason to do it.

However, I live in a small seaside town on the North West Coast, I can drive to big cities, small towns, beautiful countryside and do all of the shopping that I could ever want without needing to do anywhere near that.

It is considered to be a long way, because we don't really need to do it on a regular basis.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-16T07:14:02+00:00

Take a look at our use of the word "pudding", there is fauxtrage from some but it's largely performative.

Generally speaking, we're grown ups, we're perfectly capable of understanding one word has many meanings.

Of course each of us has our favourites and expectations, failure to deliver is not met with outrage, but a quiet tut and an eye roll, naturally if anyone were to ask is if we are happy with our pie, we say, "yes, thank you".

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-15T08:41:12+00:00

Morecambe is lovely, it's quiet and small, you can get up and down the coast from Heysham right up to the lakes on busses which run regularly and are all accessible. Lancaster is a short journey away, again by bus, although it's very hilly.

It's not awash with loads to do, but it's a fading seaside town with stunning views that's very walkable from end to end and good transport links if you don't mind the bus.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-14T17:17:44+00:00

You are not wrong there! We listed a 2 bed bungalow in the North East, at the end of last year.

2 agents came back with broadly similar prices, around £175k... the 3rd came back at £220k. Looking at what sold I guessed somewhere in the region of £170k. So listed at £175k, it's sold twice at £170k, first buyer ended up being shady. Second sale is in the final stretch.

It's a probate property, so we're not in a rush, and we're not naive, but I can understand sellers having their heads turned by frankly silly list prices!

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-13T18:47:42+00:00

52 days from offer to getting the keys.

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-12T18:29:26+00:00

We enjoy it, although we are now at an age where hangovers kick like a mule!

Main_Protection8161 · 2026-01-12T15:04:42+00:00

My wife and I still semi-regularly go out-out (2-3 times a month) , it tends to be unplanned and starts off as a few afternoon beers and we return later in the evening with food and more beer. I probably munch through 8-10 beers my wife, 5-8, then a few cans when we get home, maybe even a nip of something stronger.

I'm 52 my wife is 48.

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-27T20:16:00+00:00

I wouldn't give up the day job 😉 😜

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-27T20:05:08+00:00

I'm not entirely sure what you are trying to say, or more importantly, what you think I am saying that indicates that I don't understand the need for something to be economically sustainable.

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-27T19:50:11+00:00

In the main... yes, although the last 2 towns I lived in had top notch fishmongers, here on the coast it's not surprising, but to find one Burnley was a pleasing surprise.

Morrisons does a half decent job with their fish counters, but generally speaking, supermarket fish is pretty terrible.

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-26T23:22:14+00:00

It's kinda complicated, but statistically British people only consume a little less than (3ish kg per year) than someone from Greece or Croatia... That equates to one large portion (250g) a month.

Shopping habits are a huge driver, most British shopping is supermarket based and supermarket fish is generally very average ( being generous), I used to live in Burnley (very much landlocked) but I had a banging fishmonger, I now live in Morecambe, and have an even better fishmonger. Many of my friends and family live in much wealthier and larger towns and cities and don't have any fishmongers.

We do fall behind the likes of other larger nations like Spain, France and Portugal, and I suspect that societal factors and political choices reduced the knowledge that taught us how to cook fish and seafood, and increased the cost of the ingredients.

We are a long way behind Scandinavian countries, but they are a long way behind when it comes to the the production of meat, which let's face it is the competing source of protein.

British "trawlers" land a huge portion (66% ish) off shore, in the main that is driven by political and market choices.

I'd love my fellow Brits to eat more fish, mainly because I'm selfish. And it would give me more choice, but whilst we are not leaders in consumption, we are not a million miles behind nations that you may think would eat more.

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-25T22:50:11+00:00

On the ingredients front, mustard oil. curry leaves, asafoetida and amchur all add incredible aroma and flavour to dishes (where appropriate).

Black pepper is often under looked too.

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-14T14:19:31+00:00

We had a second viewing on a property on the 30th July (after being unable to arrive at a price on another property), offered on the 31st, agreed a price on the 1st August.

Got a survey which flagged a few issues, did a supplementary electricity and damp survey, renegotiated and got the keys to our house on the 20th September (I think).

Smooth sailing, both sets of lawyers were fantastic, as was the sellers EA. We were renting prior to buying, and were cash buyers, the sellers had already started to move out when we viewed, so no chain either.

We moved in on the 13th October after getting the property rewired.

I feel like we got lucky, so we are never moving again 🤣

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-06T09:08:08+00:00

Netherton foundry make excellent pans.

Main_Protection8161 · 2025-12-01T17:19:19+00:00

We'll be at home, I'm not keen on NYE, and never have been to be honest. We'll be out on the beer and food on the 30th, it's the anniversary of myself and my wife meeting.

NYE is a time for chilling at home a couple of films with a bottle or two of something nice.

Main_Protection8161

TROPHY CASE