The Mini Malteser Bunny Challenge

I know it's been a while since our beloved follower Pharmacy Michelle threw down the gauntlet for us to indulge and review a selection of the mini Malteser Bunnies available this Easter .........

 ..... and so with our palates now cleansed of quite so much seasonal chocolate, we now feel well able to afford said bunnies our best and fairest shot.

Let's just say it was a lot trickier than we first anticipated.  Fortunately, we were tres au fait with the "ordinary", traditional bunnies, to wit milk chocolate with the iconic Malteser centre and as such, they didn't present us with any problems. So, with no unexpected plot twists or surprises, we liked them very much, they were familiar and comforting, scoring an assured ten out of ten!

However, on the other hand, the white chocolate bunnies with the same centre, even for our famous, communal, mega sweet tooth, proved to be a little too sweet for our liking. The sweetness was striking, therefore we felt we could only award them a score of five out of ten, making it highly unlikely that we would dash out to replenish the bag, even if they are/were still available in the shops.

Then the most contentious of the three varieties of bunny proffered by Pharmacy Michelle were undoubtedly the popcorn flavour ones ........

We'll be honest, we weren't too sure what to expect, from the wrapper we sort of assumed they would be white chocolate too, but were in fact milk.  At first we quite liked the toasty flavour of popcorn melded in with the usual Malteser ........

..... however as the chocolate melted along with the Malteser, the popcorn came to the fore, there was some extra crunch, but that quickly gave way to the huskiness (??) of the popcorn ...... a bits that get between your teeth type of scenario, that we just didn't like and so, only four and a half out of ten were awarded this time.
  

Our conclusion, keep to the tried and tested recipe Mars, don't mess around with our much loved, good and honest Malteser. If you need to do anything, simply bring down the price of what was always our confectionary of choice for our televisual viewing. At £3.00 for a 110gram box, they are a luxury we just don't buy that often any more. It's now cheaper to serve up steak instead! A year or so ago you could get two 110 gram boxes, when on offer, for the same sum ...... as for the bigger 310 gram boxes, they are also way out of our league these days.  Sad, sad times ......

Gifts For Southport

A Time, Perhaps, To Reveal A Little?

This morning Postman Rob delivered unto us a small package, it was not totally unexpected as our beloved No 1 Fan, Jan the Fan had already sent a card ahead of it, with the mysterious tome that there should be " ....... a little something arriving soon to help you (us) on your (our) way to your (our) Greek Oddity" 

As you can imagine, there was a palpable and tangible excitement running rife through The Towers as we all tried to guess what was secreted within, as the outer packaging gave absolutely nothing away!

Neither did the second layer or, to be honest the third, except that whatever it was that Jan the Fan had sent, not intended to get broken! 

However on removing the final foam layer, all was revealed, a scented candle named "Apollo", the Greek God of sun (very apt for a Greek Oddity), light, music, prophecy, healing and knowledge.  I suppose it goes without saying that its unveiling was emotional!

The delicate notes of ylang ylang, patchouli and rose made, according to Eric evoked the heady and romantic memories of sooooooooo many oddities past, although he wasn't entirely sure if it was actually representative of the way Apollo may have smelt himself in real life, as a beardless and athletic youth going about his Godly duties on the island of Delos!  What is he like?

And now with it's arrival would seem to be an opportune moment to reveal that for a second year running Darrell and I will be holidaying on our own, enjoying the pleasures of Kefalonia together, leaving Eric and the ever fragrant Alice to their own devices for a week or so, when we suggested they could light "Apollo" in our absence so that we and Greece could still be close to their hearts.

But, I hear you ask, what about a break for "poor" Eric and Alice?  Well, fear not, they already have an wonderful adventure of they're own booked for November, where even more candle lighting will be very much de rigueur, in fact they've already got a designated budget for it .......... !!!!!!!!  Any suggestions where?????? 

The Special Benches Of Birkenead.

After a rousing and comprehensive, full English breakfast ..........

 ...... at their forever hotel of choice in Liverpool, The Liner ......

...... including pocketing three different cheese portions for a snack later on in the day, should hunger call  ......

...... before departing Liverpool and heading back home, Eric and Lu decided to pay a visit to Birkenhead to catch a cheeky glimpse of the sea (?), as well as a lung full of bracing Liverpudlian sea air!

It did not disappoint ......

 ......... despite the aforementioned bracing part .......

..... and it seemed as if every man (and woman) and his/her dog had the same idea.

 Let's just say, any metaphorical cobwebs ........

..... were well and truly blown.

Now, along with a very impressive Home Bargains on the front, Birkenhead has another phenomena that Eric didn't think he'd ever seen before, on any of his travels .....

...... to wit, memorial benches, so many he lost count.  He'd seen benches with plaques on before, but never ones pictures of beloved, lost ones or vases fitted on to the back to hold flowers.  It was all quite moving and seemed almost too personal to encroach upon when reading, but as Eric reasoned, when someone is no longer with us, talked about, or in this case "seen", then, they are truly gone and that's too sad to think about.

Eric has oft mused that if he was no longer with us, he'd wouldn't mind being remembered with a plaque that said "Paradise found", on a bench, overlooking a beach in Greece, possibly Elounda, but now, after seeing all these benches, instead of a single floral receptacle, if we didn't mind, he wouldn't be averse to a whole window box on the back of "his" bench.  Good grief ........ what on earth is he like? 

Exotic Perusing Dans Liverpool

While in Liverpool it would be both rude and remiss of Eric not to seek out the more exotic of a comestible type nature ..........

...... therefore, it goes without saying that he successfully found it in great abundance in Seoul Plaza, which specialises in real life, Korean delicacies .....

..... which is a complete no brainer, for someone who has watched K-Pop Demon Hunters at least twenty times with his beloved niece and nephew and knows all the words to every single song ......

..... especially while also a supermarket aficionada when in foreign climes, particularly of a Greek persuasion ......

..... so, with such experience, Eric is not one to baulk or pass up on a Cream or Chocolate Collon ........

........ Super Rings ......

..... or a Ding Dong for that matter!

And, while Lay's are always our most favourite savoury crisp of choice in foreign climes for our beach snacks, to date, we've never had the pleasure of embracing  roasted seaweed flavour! 

I understand that several, much considered purchases were made, unfortunately none made the journey home, temptation, Eric told us later, just simply got the better of him and once he'd popped, he simply couldn't stop (even though he wasn't eating Pringles)!!  What on earth is he like, if not hinting that another trip to Liverpool would be quite adventitious snackwise for us all! 

Clinton Baptiste, Clairvoyant, Medium and Psychic!

Eric and Lu are primarily in Liverpool to see their very most favourite comedian of choice, Mr Clinton Baptiste, "self proclaimed clairvoyant, medium and psychic".

They never unwittingly miss any of his tours or shows...........

...... even arranging a special, personal video message from Mr Baptiste, himself, in real life, for our very own behind the scenes lady what does, but who shall remain nameless.........

......... who is also a huge fan, on the occasion of her birthday, 

The third row seats for the show had been secured for over a year ago, so as you can imagine, their pent up excitement was almost off the scale.

The show, as always, was brilliant, very silly and as far from the (real?) paranormal as you could possibly imagine, it was just fun of an spiritually, irreverent type nature (in no way to be compared to our beloved, late, great, Derek Acorah, may he rest in peace, who Darrell and I were also lucky enough to see in real life) 

This time, despite being perilously close to the stage, Mr Baptiste didn't "pick on" either of the dynamic duo for a special "reading/message" from the "other side", as he had done last year in Worcester, on another tour, much to Lu's great relief, 

The security was **** hot and photos taken during the performance strictly verboten, not that Eric or Lu would have ever dared risk being so shamefully and unceremoniously thrown out!

Anyway, needless to say, when they got back to their hotel, tickets were duly purchased again, this time near the end of Mr Baptiste's tour in early 2027 and a little closer to home in Birmingham. What are they like if not mahooooooooosive and dedicated fans!

Mystery Music On The Street Of Liverpool.

Following on from yesterday, Eric had thought/hoped that Beatles melodies would be in abundance as to the buskery type music on the streets of Liverpool, but, surprisingly, on the occasion of his visit, it wasn't.

However, a 50p was still duly dropped in appreciation of a bit of something on the violin that Eric couldn't quite put his finger on ....... Mr D, font of all things classically musical, any ideas?  

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

I don't think it'll take you more than a second to work out where young Eric is at the moment ......

...... but if you can't guess, then he's only on a whistle stop visit to Liverpool!  Well, when your offered a free trip and a show to the great city, it would be rude to say no.

So, first port of call was to pay homage to the Fab Four in Mathew Street, where poor Eric had to admit to being a trifle concerned by what appeared to be John Lennon's unfeasibly large head, as depicted in his statue, musical genius or not, he mused, it seemed to be a lot of brains to carry around. Lu said it was most likely artistic license and in real life, no doubt, Mr Lennon would have been more aesthetically proportioned??!!

Needless to say, one or two souvenirs of their visit were considered and duly purchased .....

..... and where, in such monumentally, historic climes a toe was tapped, a Beatles tune or two hummed and a coffee quaffed, both wishing they'd not been such strangers to the phenomena, both having been born way after the Beatles were no more .....

...... although Lu had managed to see Mr McCartney in concert, in real life, last year, in Manchester to make a few memories of her own, happy days.  

Eric's most favouritist Beatles song? "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", naturally,  because as soon as our Lu was born, she opened her huge eyes straight away to look all around her and her dad (Andy) instantly said "Lucy in the sky with diamonds, the girl with kaleidoscope eyes" ......... oooooo I've gone a bit emotional!

No Saturday Night Thunder For Eric!

I tell you what, it seems an age since Eric has spotted a wrestling poster adorning any available empty space it's possible to plaster a flyer to in Evesham!

I suppose, in a way, it's quite reassuring and comforting to know that as sure as eggs is eggs, the circle of life is still turning and after a short break, the ring has returned for a new season of fevered bouts! 

However, it has to be said that this current poster seems to be lacking an awful lot of its usual characters, Mr Topham Hat is still very much in evidence, but the other gentleman appears to be a rather characterless stranger, unless Eric is mistaken (though he very rarely is in such matters of keen observation).  Perhaps he simply hasn't found the right persona just yet or a costume to match or fit?

As for the "Debut of the Duchess", well, we only really know one Duchess over in California, but we doubt very much that this is her thing ...... "prize" or no! 

Needless to say, with such short notice Eric will not be in attendance, although he says it's the posters rather than the actual entertainment that really capture his interest. However, our beloved and tres delicate niece does have a deep seated and enthusiastic interest in the sport (inherited, no doubt, from her father TtS)  and as such has secured her seat for the AEW Wrestling at Wembley in the summer. Whether Eric will be able to slip in with her is debateable, however, he'll certainly be on hand, as he was last year, to help her make a banner to wave in the crowd. heaven help us ............ what is she like? 

Using The Right Type Of Font Can Be Quite Important.

To be honest, I've never really paid that much attention to the fonts used on shops to advertise their name or wares ...... or, for that matter, how a font could possibly affect your feelings towards something.

However, we've got a new purveyor of kebabs in town ..........

........ and it might simply be me of course, but the name and the font leaves me a little confused and in some respects, positively unsettled!

The "Craft House" bit brings to mind shops of a Hobbycraft or The Range type nature, but then, a kebab isn't something I would generally associate with any sort of genteel crafting activity???? As for the font, well, to me it just screams of the nefarious and unsavoury career choices of Sweeny Todd!   Is it me, or is something not quite gelling here?????? Perhaps we need to go in and give them a whirl? Suggestions on a postcard please.

Drained By Man Or A Force Of Nature?

Oh noooooooooo, with the excitement of his buying a dingy still very much to the fore .........

...... disaster has struck under our bridge ......

....... the lake that once was and had so much promise for summer fun and frolics has all but dried up into what can only be described as a damp squid squib,  Needless to say, poor Eric is bereft!

At the moment, where the water has gone, is very much a mystery. Perhaps the scrapyard has put in some sort of drainage system, but according to Eric, he can't see any evidence of any groundwork etc. having been done. It could also be that Network Rail have plugged the drips from above? However, with the current weather, it seems highly unlikely that said water has simply evaporated in some sort of bizarre, unseasonal and incredibly isolated heatwave????? 

Needless to say, if the once "lake" does not reappear in time for summer frivolities, questions WILL definitely need to be asked in Parliament!