As it happens, we didn’t open them, but I just had one as part of my lunch. They were very plain, almost tasteless. On examining the packet, I found they were actually flavoured: “Jacket Potato with Creamy Butter” flavour.
The anachronistic language didn’t bother me too much, but one thing did. Throughout the whole drama, set in 1956, the two principle characters jokingly refer to each other as “Moneypenny” (frequently) and “James” (rarely, in response). The first James Bond novel was written in 1953, and at the time of the drama, only 3 novels had been published. While it is true that both the characters are intelligent and well read, so may have been familiar with these early novels, it seemed to me the joking seemed based on the depiction of Miss Moneypenny in the films, the first of which wouldn’t be produced for another 6 years.
I felt this was typical of the sloppyness (or absence) of basic research on the period. Despite this, I found the show fairly enjoyable to watch. However, this was mainly for the characters, as I felt the plot itself was rather weak.
What follows contains serious spoilers. Do not read if you haven’t yet watched this program (but intend to).
Preparation time: less than 10 mins. Smoking time: 3 hours.
I’ve got family visiting tomorrow, so I have been smoking a brisket, while trying to tidy the garden. I was taking a break with a cuppa, when there was a knock on my back door. It was a neighbour who had just been shopping. She gave me a carrier bag, with a pork shoulder joint and a beef rib joint, as a thank you for the BBQ (and computer advice) I have been handing out recently.
I have a feeling it is a timing issue, and hopefully won’t cost much to fix. However, this is the latest of a number of small incidents, and I am beginning to be concerned that I can no longer trust it. I’m also concerned that I am beginning to spend more on the annual maintenance and repair of the thing than the car is actually worth.
Anyway, the UK manufacturer is selling a limited number of refurbished (but otherwise fine) Superfast Thermapens at half price (28.80, instead of 56 quid), on eBay, so I thought I would give people a heads up:
