Things that don't deserve their own thread

[tabascoboy]

What does Ireland know about Belgium that the rest of us don't?

[Enzedder]

South Africa’s record in the World Cup since 1995:
1999: knocked out by Australia.
2003: knocked out by New Zealand
2007: didn’t play Australia or New Zealand in the KO stages. Won.
2011: knocked out by Australia.
2015: knocked out by New Zealand.
2019: didn’t play Australia or New Zealand in the KO stages. Won.
SA have failed to beat those two teams in the KO stages of the tournament in the professional era. They are also the only champions to play Tier 2 nations in the QF of every tournament they’ve won.
#RugbyFunfacts

[fishfoodie]

What does Ireland know about Belgium that the rest of us don't?

Bruges

[Slick]

Nice FF, nice.

[Kiwias]

A refreshing approach to problems with parents abusing referees at Little League games in a New Jersey town.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/town- ... d=98810329

[Gumboot]

Nice FF, nice.

Indeed.

[Gumboot]

Anzac Day yesterday. Would've also been my mum's 82nd birthday, so bittersweet.

Her father, who she didn't meet until she was 3 years old, fought in North Africa and France in WWII, and was so traumatised he was given ECT upon his return home.

My paternal grandfather was at Gallipoli. As was his brother, who was gassed and spent the rest of his short life being moved around in search of "the best air". He ended up on a Pacific island, but I can't remember which.

Sorry, just felt like sharing... Mum and I talked a lot about how much luckier and better off materially our generations are than theirs were, and how much they sacrificed which enabled that to happen.

[Kiwias]

Gumboot

War exacts a terrible toll on so many people. But humans have never been able to renounce war totally. Bloody stupid beings.

[Gumboot]

Kiwias,

No question, war is human nature at its very worst.

[fishfoodie]

Given the week that's in it, guess who this bed was for ?

[Jock42]

My Brashers are falling apart and need replaced after 10 years, and based on the intel above, I won't be buying a new pair of Brashers. TBH I'm not sure I would have anyway, as while they were comfortable, the waterproofing stopped working 2 or 3 years ago, and I would have expected a decent pair to last more than 10 years (I bag a handful of Munros each year, but I'm probably not out more than once a month on average these days). My previous pair (can't remember the brand) lasted 20 years.

I've always had leather boots, and my default would be to do the same again, but should I consider fabric ones? Lighter, but are they as robust? Will they be as waterproof as leather ones, and will they last as long? Opinions welcome!

I've just bought a pair of leather boots, can't remember the make, for the winter doing munros. My lowas are fabric but I don't mind having wet feet, which I sometimes end up with towards theend of a tab, during the better weather.

Merrells. Was up Geal Chàrn (Monadhliath type) earlier, bit boggy, cleaned them in the river after and feet were fine. There's also pretty light with good ankle support, which is just as well as every part of me seems to break pretty easily these days.

[Niegs]

[Guy Smiley]

Nick Cave goes up in my estimation every time I read about him.

[tabascoboy]

I've tried a few different brands but as a carnivore they aren't much of a substitute. The cooked texture is generally fine but the taste is really lacking, they don't seem to add any (or enough) herb seasoning for some reason which might help.

Sausage maker Heck cuts vegan range as appetite drops

Sausage company Heck is reducing its range of meat-free products, citing lack of consumer appetite.

The Yorkshire-based firm is shelving production of most of its vegan range of sausages and burgers.

Co-founder Jamie Keeble said shoppers were "not there yet" when it came to buying its vegan products.

The company will now make just two plant-based varieties - chipolatas and burgers - down from its original range of 10.

Heck's decision comes against a backdrop of waning interest in meat-free lines at other firms.

Beyond Meat, which makes a plant-based range including burgers, sausages and chicken, suffered a slump in sales last year, blaming obstacles with consumers around taste, perception of health benefits and price.

And industry giant Nestle said in March it said it would stop selling its Garden Gourmet plant-based vegan brand in UK retailers less than two years after it first appeared on shelves.

Supermarket customers have cut back on meat-replacement products generally, according to research firm NielsenIQ, which reported sales fell by £37.3m in the year to September 2022.

However, market and consumer data provider Statista suggested the meat-substitute market in the UK would grow annually by 17.53% over the next five years.

Heck said it would continue its production of 90,000 vegan sausages per day.

UK consumers still wanted to replace meat with "something that reminds them of meat", Mr Keeble said.

"I think [demand] will come back around," he added. "We had pulses and grains in the products. It was really nutritional but the public wasn't really there yet."

However, it said falling sales of plant-based substitutes did not reflect a broader rejection of vegan options.

"Where there has been a drop in sales, it is not due to a decline in interest in veganism but rather a change in people's spending habits," the society said.

"Many people may be replacing both meat and meat-substitutes with more budget-friendly vegan options in a bid to make savings on their weekly shops," it added.

Last March a survey for IPSOS found 33% of people questioned said the cost of plant-based products was too high, but almost half (46%) said they were considering reducing their intake of meat in the future.

Most meat-free products tended to be vegan, the Vegan Society told the BBC. However, some use egg as a binding agent, making them suitable for vegetarians but not vegans, it said.

[Raggs]

The beyond burgers are quite good, mince isn't bad either. Don't think I'd get them full price, but happy to grab them reduced.

First tried it with a plant mcdonalds (family dragged me there, thought I may as well try something different).

[tabascoboy]

The beyond burgers are quite good, mince isn't bad either. Don't think I'd get them full price, but happy to grab them reduced.

First tried it with a plant mcdonalds (family dragged me there, thought I may as well try something different).

Yep, I don't find them terrible but smother them with ketchup and pretend they are pork or beef

[SaintK]

The beyond burgers are quite good, mince isn't bad either. Don't think I'd get them full price, but happy to grab them reduced.

First tried it with a plant mcdonalds (family dragged me there, thought I may as well try something different).

Yep, I don't find them terrible but smother them with ketchup and pretend they are pork or beef

Chef Neil Rankin has been working on his range for a number of years. Ironic really as he was founder of some of the first the nose to tail open fire cooking restaurants in London, Temper!
Not tried any of the products yet but am told dthey are pretty good
https://symplicityfoods.com/

[tabascoboy]

The beyond burgers are quite good, mince isn't bad either. Don't think I'd get them full price, but happy to grab them reduced.

First tried it with a plant mcdonalds (family dragged me there, thought I may as well try something different).

Yep, I don't find them terrible but smother them with ketchup and pretend they are pork or beef

Chef Neil Rankin has been working on his range for a number of years. Ironic really as he was founder of some of the first the nose to tail open fire cooking restaurants in London, Temper!
Not tried any of the products yet but am told dthey are pretty good
https://symplicityfoods.com/

Sounds interesting though unfortunately not stocked with 20 miles of where I live ( am I in a veggie/vegan desert?!). If I see them though I'll try them, fermenting things does seem to bring out flavour...

[Tichtheid]

It's easier and healthier to eat vegetables as a vegetarian option than processed meat substitutes, imo.

I eat anything but I have to cook vegan options for others - the money you save on not buying meat goes a lot further on things like top quality tinned tomatoes - best tip I found on these was buy good quality whole tinned tomatoes, not chopped, they add something to allow the chopped version to keep their shape, whole toms are best. You can really taste the difference. Same with good quality pasta.

[Ymx]

This guy is fricken brilliant.

[Grandpa]

This guy is fricken brilliant.

Some of those had me in tears!

[Happyhooker]

The beyond burgers are quite good, mince isn't bad either. Don't think I'd get them full price, but happy to grab them reduced.

First tried it with a plant mcdonalds (family dragged me there, thought I may as well try something different).

Yep, I don't find them terrible but smother them with ketchup and pretend they are pork or beef

Chef Neil Rankin has been working on his range for a number of years. Ironic really as he was founder of some of the first the nose to tail open fire cooking restaurants in London, Temper!
Not tried any of the products yet but am told dthey are pretty good
https://symplicityfoods.com/

Tried a blind tasting of some of his stuff recently. 100% of people there could tell

It's good. But it is noticeable

[TB63]

Yep, I don't find them terrible but smother them with ketchup and pretend they are pork or beef

Chef Neil Rankin has been working on his range for a number of years. Ironic really as he was founder of some of the first the nose to tail open fire cooking restaurants in London, Temper!
Not tried any of the products yet but am told dthey are pretty good
https://symplicityfoods.com/

Tried a blind tasting of some of his stuff recently. 100% of people there could tell

It's good. But it is noticeable

3 kilos of pork cut in the fridge ready for my next batch, fuck the veggies...

[inactionman]

It's easier and healthier to eat vegetables as a vegetarian option than processed meat substitutes, imo.

I eat anything but I have to cook vegan options for others - the money you save on not buying meat goes a lot further on things like top quality tinned tomatoes - best tip I found on these was buy good quality whole tinned tomatoes, not chopped, they add something to allow the chopped version to keep their shape, whole toms are best. You can really taste the difference. Same with good quality pasta.

We use prodigious amounts of tinned chopped tomatoes and I had no idea that was the case, I'll give the whole ones a try.

The kids prefer passata, and some of those we get almost taste like ketchup -usually the ones from the late-night dash round Lidl. Need to find some good ones of those too.

Agree on the pasta, I think the decent ones have a texture which holds the sauce a lot better.

[Tichtheid]

It's easier and healthier to eat vegetables as a vegetarian option than processed meat substitutes, imo.

I eat anything but I have to cook vegan options for others - the money you save on not buying meat goes a lot further on things like top quality tinned tomatoes - best tip I found on these was buy good quality whole tinned tomatoes, not chopped, they add something to allow the chopped version to keep their shape, whole toms are best. You can really taste the difference. Same with good quality pasta.

We use prodigious amounts of tinned chopped tomatoes and I had no idea that was the case, I'll give the whole ones a try.

The kids prefer passata, and some of those we get almost taste like ketchup -usually the ones from the late-night dash round Lidl. Need to find some good ones of those too.

Agree on the pasta, I think the decent ones have a texture which holds the sauce a lot better.

There was a tv prog with Stanley Tucci going around Italy on a foodie trek and he made the point about using good quality toms. So far the best brands I've found are Mutti and Cirio, either are good. When on offer they work out about a pound a tin, which is way more than in Lidl, but you can really taste the difference and like I say, cutting down on buying meat saves tons more than the difference in price.
Also, another thing Stanley told me personally - a dash of either soy sauce or marmite makes the tomato sauce so much better

[SaintK]

It's easier and healthier to eat vegetables as a vegetarian option than processed meat substitutes, imo.

I eat anything but I have to cook vegan options for others - the money you save on not buying meat goes a lot further on things like top quality tinned tomatoes - best tip I found on these was buy good quality whole tinned tomatoes, not chopped, they add something to allow the chopped version to keep their shape, whole toms are best. You can really taste the difference. Same with good quality pasta.

We use prodigious amounts of tinned chopped tomatoes and I had no idea that was the case, I'll give the whole ones a try.

The kids prefer passata, and some of those we get almost taste like ketchup -usually the ones from the late-night dash round Lidl. Need to find some good ones of those too.

Agree on the pasta, I think the decent ones have a texture which holds the sauce a lot better.

There was a tv prog with Stanley Tucci going around Italy on a foodie trek and he made the point about using good quality toms. So far the best brands I've found are Mutti and Cirio, either are good. When on offer they work out about a pound a tin, which is way more than in Lidl, but you can really taste the difference and like I say, cutting down on buying meat saves tons more than the difference in price.
Also, another thing Stanley told me personally - a dash of either soy sauce or marmite makes the tomato sauce so much better

Yep Mutti peeled San Marzano tomatoes are our go to brand
If you ever see I Sapori di Corbara canned/bottled tomatoes buy them, not cheap but bloody marvellous. They only make them while the harvest lasts so not all year round.
My mates Italian wife will also add a little anchovy essence to her tomato sauce to give it a lift.
Only recently discovered the Stanley Tucci food series, great show!

[tabascoboy]

Starting to think that a Foodie thread of its own is actually deserved now

[Tichtheid]

My mates Italian wife will also add a little anchovy essence to her tomato sauce to give it a lift.
Only recently discovered the Stanley Tucci food series, great show!

Yeah, it's the umami flavour - a word I only really understood after watching another great tv food show on Netflix - Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.

[Guy Smiley]

Starting to think that a Foodie thread of its own is actually deserved now

[GogLais]

Starting to think that a Foodie thread of its own is actually deserved now

As long as it’s more civilised than the SA BBQ one.

[GogLais]

So in the last three weeks:
I buy a roasting tray with a handle from John Lewis. The handle melts.

I have a leaking radiator. British Gas come round and say they’ll replace it. I chase them up and I’m told the engineer reported that I’d sort it out myself. Why the ffyk wouldI I?

I get a new box from Virgin that came with a 5m Ethernet cable. I ring them up and say please send me a 15m one. They send me a 15m Co-ax. I ring again, now they’ve sent me another 5m Ethernet.

I feel an attack of the Victor Meldrew”s coming on.

[SaintK]

Starting to think that a Foodie thread of its own is actually deserved now

As long as it’s more civilised than the SA BBQ one.

There as competetive about their Braiing as they are about their rugby!!

[Grandpa]

So in the last three weeks:
I buy a roasting tray with a handle from John Lewis. The handle melts.

I have a leaking radiator. British Gas come round and say they’ll replace it. I chase them up and I’m told the engineer reported that I’d sort it out myself. Why the ffyk wouldI I?

I get a new box from Virgin that came with a 5m Ethernet cable. I ring them up and say please send me a 15m one. They send me a 15m Co-ax. I ring again, now they’ve sent me another 5m Ethernet.

I feel an attack of the Victor Meldrew”s coming on.

Please let us know the outcomes... a 15m radiator next?

[GogLais]

So in the last three weeks:
I buy a roasting tray with a handle from John Lewis. The handle melts.

I have a leaking radiator. British Gas come round and say they’ll replace it. I chase them up and I’m told the engineer reported that I’d sort it out myself. Why the ffyk wouldI I?

I get a new box from Virgin that came with a 5m Ethernet cable. I ring them up and say please send me a 15m one. They send me a 15m Co-ax. I ring again, now they’ve sent me another 5m Ethernet.

I feel an attack of the Victor Meldrew”s coming on.

Please let us know the outcomes... a 15m radiator next?

JL offered a refund.
BG said they’d call 8:00 onwards yesterday. Missed a call from them at 7:25, looked out of the window at 7:45 and saw their van outside, disappeared by the time I got downstairs. Turned up in the afternoon.
Given up on Virgin, abandoned the cable option and bought a wi-fi extender.
I was just struck by the incompetence of three household names.

[Uncle fester]

So in the last three weeks:
I buy a roasting tray with a handle from John Lewis. The handle melts.

I have a leaking radiator. British Gas come round and say they’ll replace it. I chase them up and I’m told the engineer reported that I’d sort it out myself. Why the ffyk wouldI I?

I get a new box from Virgin that came with a 5m Ethernet cable. I ring them up and say please send me a 15m one. They send me a 15m Co-ax. I ring again, now they’ve sent me another 5m Ethernet.

I feel an attack of the Victor Meldrew”s coming on.

Please let us know the outcomes... a 15m radiator next?

JL offered a refund.
BG said they’d call 8:00 onwards yesterday. Missed a call from them at 7:25, looked out of the window at 7:45 and saw their van outside, disappeared by the time I got downstairs. Turned up in the afternoon.
Given up on Virgin, abandoned the cable option and bought a wi-fi extender.
I was just struck by the incompetence of three household names.

Refry? Is that you?

[Tichtheid]

I found this really interesting - it raises a good few questions

[GogLais]

Please let us know the outcomes... a 15m radiator next?

JL offered a refund.
BG said they’d call 8:00 onwards yesterday. Missed a call from them at 7:25, looked out of the window at 7:45 and saw their van outside, disappeared by the time I got downstairs. Turned up in the afternoon.
Given up on Virgin, abandoned the cable option and bought a wi-fi extender.
I was just struck by the incompetence of three household names.

Refry? Is that you?

Who? Presumably he’s a decent chap.

[PornDog]

I found this really interesting - it raises a good few questions

When deepfakes started I was always reminded of this -


It's really not that far away.

[Niegs]

[Niegs]

This is cool! Reminds me of doing my historic buildings tour when in the UK, seeing graffiti that was older, technically, than Canada's been a country. Even here, I've seen serif fonted carvings into the late 19th C.