Thursday 20 October 2011

Hula Hoops versus salt marsh lamb

I inadvertently caused confusion amongst my non-British readers with Monday's post, in which I told of my extreme disappointment at being offered Hula Hoops to eat, when I had explicitly asked for salt marsh reared lamb from Marks and Spencer. 

Who knew that 'Hula Hoops' (the foodstuff) were unique to the UK?  Is the rest of the world missing out?  I think not.

To plagiarise Wikipedia "Hula Hoops are a potato based snack, in the shape of short hollow cylinders".



They don't look exciting. They don't taste exciting.

Whereas salt marsh lamb on the other paw.....

... would be well worth a wet walk to Marks and Spencer.

Oh. Sigh. If only I were allowed inside.

[Note from Gail: I have long observed that Bertie is a supermarket snob. He is in fact quite happy to be tied up outside M&S, and tolerably content waiting by the entrance to Sainsbury's or Tesco.  He barks his little head off if taken anywhere near an Asda*, and as for discount stores Lidl and Aldi, well I'm afraid we're in teeth baring and vicious snarling territory.  One day we'll make a pilgrimage to Waitrose in Edinburgh, to test the theory further.  I predict Bertie will be rolling on the pavement in ecstasy. (Apologies again to readers from outside the UK, but you're a smart bunch, I think you'll get the gist).]


Sadly, there was no sign of salt marsh reared lamb anywhere on the shelves of M&S this week. So we had to settle for the plain jane option instead:


I am delighted to report that Gail came over all generous for once, and gave me a good sized portion. And that the Scotch lamb loin chop, "slowly matured for succulence and tenderness", was...

...TOTALLY YUMMERS!

But I am still going to email Markies and ask when they'll have their salt marsh special in again.


*owned by Walmart

22 comments:

  1. How disappointing for me in the USA to find out that hula hoops don't taste exciting! Oh well - thank you for the clarification!

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  2. We can certainly see how you would be disappointed being served Hula Hoops when expecting a tasty morsel of salt marsh lamb - hardly bears comparing, eh? Glad to see you finally got your chop, but a word with M&S is definitely in order. Cheers!

    The Road Dogs

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  3. Hey Bertie, you got a whole lamb chop all to yourself - good on you! (MUM.....!!! - did u see Bertie's blog post.....HE gets a whole lamb chop from his mum!!!!!)

    Oh my mouth is salivating.....just like when I watch my peeps eat their foodables!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie

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  4. I'm with you Bertie, I'm SO with you. Sometimes Mum goes to Asda and I don't know where to put myself... I will however let you into a little secret.. when no one is looking, and I do mean no one... try Morrisons value chicken roll. Absolutely foul. I eat it whilst watching Jeremy Kyle when Mum goes out. One of my guilty pleasures :-) When you get to Waitrose, try their beef wellington - it's really quite good... Deccy x

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  5. Mee tinks mee would be hap-pee wit a hula hoop as compared to a dried up piece of milk bone. Peep foods always taste better....

    As for da lamb....you are in puppy dog Heaven. Wee would never get dat here!

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  6. In South Africa, Hula hoops are those things dogs jump through, or which humans use to swing their hips when they are tipsy and want to show their skill at strange dancing ....mmm...fascinating.

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  7. Bertie, just now and then I get some small pieces off what meat my Mom is eating, but a WHOLE CHOP TO YOURSELF!!! I can't even imagine what that would be like. What did you do to get that? Type up some instructions and I will give it a go.

    Kisses,
    Stella

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  8. Lamb - yummy! we are big lamb lovers!!

    we will have to google your hula treats

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  9. Lamb? Lamb??? Bertie, we are drooling over here...

    -Bart and Ruby

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  10. mmmm Lamb

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  11. We know what it's like craving a certain thing...but, looks like you got a great substitute! To tide you over until you get the REAL thing.

    We didn't know what the hoops were, but as we have similar products here, we just guessed.

    That's so funny about the quality of shops.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  12. Bertie,

    I agree lamb is much better that modified potato snacks, but you haven't experienced lamb until you've tried New Zealand lamb. I've been eyeing up the cute fluffy white things that I pass by on my daily walks (it is spring here), but mum says the only lamb for us comes from the shops. However if she ever let me loose in the field I'm sure I could round up one for us to share. I just have to work out how to drag it 12,000 or more miles to you without the farmer or mum catching me.

    Woofs,
    Riley

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  13. U.S.A. hula hoops taste yukky. Your look much better...we see you have a gourmet chef now
    Benny & Lily

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  14. I smell delicious, I'm going craving in that smell Woof! Yeah I found it, can I share with you! :)


    ---------------------------
    It's all About Pet Fences | Dog Fence

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  15. Youhooo! Guess who? We smelled that Scotch lamb loin chop and just couldn't wait any longer. HERE WE ARE! (See what it took to get us back?)

    YUM!!! We are definitely deprived. It's true ... we like cherry pie ... but LAMB?

    So. Don't get too enthusiastic. OurMoma is only marginally "back" ... but something's better than nothing, right?

    Oh. One more thing. While you are writing M&S, ask 'em when they are going to let you IN. In our opinion, that's equally as important as when the salt marsh special returns. Well. Maybe not. But it's at least worth asking.

    Totally deprived Jake and Fergi

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  16. Bertie my boy! I can see your wig a wagging lucky boy. Xcept I thought I was looking in the mirror cos your lovely square head is a twinner of mine. Of course if Gail went to Waitrose she could buy you the proper pucker lamb and cook it up for you Delia style. With some of your five a day,yorkshire puddins' and a nicely reduced jus instead of plain old lamb chop.

    But crickey Bertie....never let Gail tie you up outside Lidl. You'll be kittynapped,chopped into a wok and turned into chop suey for four and tossed into the 3 for 2 bin before you can bark out "Gail what's on Mark and Sparky's dinner for 2 menu this week"

    Refuse to allow it. You know how. Take care my dearest nephew.

    Wiry love from your Uncle/Brother/Cousin (too often removed from blogging)

    Eric xxxxxxxx

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  17. Hoo boy, I've missed you dearest nephew. But Bertie, while M Sqaure has been terrier stubborn busy busy busy and not writing my comments for me I've been keeping my pies closely on you. As if I couldn't. Proudly watching you bag another monroe, with horror at that beastly man who didn't er....like you (did he need glasses)and of course you need a nice scottish castle to call home....check it has central heating before you move in Bertie and no wheelie pesky ghosts.

    Yeah. Got to bark it, you've made your old UncleBrother/Cousin wagging proud of your smashing square self.

    Wiry ones. Eric xx

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  18. Bertie, you are quite the epicure! You are fortunate to live with a peep who gives you opportunities to endulge your gourmet tastes. Between Abby's health issues and Mama's stick-in-the-mud dullness, we never get treats like that.

    We have heard of M&S [and even Aldi's which has expanded into the U.S. market]. Perhaps you could interest M&S in a WFT review of their more enticing food products, in exchange for providing said products to the reviewer gratis. We can see the print and TV ads now: your handsome face giving a 'one tail wag, two tail wags' rating to their offerings.

    Jed & Abby

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  19. Bertie, I better get mom to take alook at that chop, I've never had one if you say it was yummers it must be.
    Waitrose I know what Gail is talking about, mom only goes there when we have friends around for a meal!!! as for Asda I better be carefull what I say, as you know mom has alot of clothes with George in:)
    Have a good week
    See Yea George xxx

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  20. Hey Bertie. Horatio is well jealous of the lamb chop. Unfortunately we are going through a fussy eating phase. At least, I hope it's only a phase.
    Horatio was wondering , how tall are you? We keep telling him he needs food to grow but he thinks he's grown enough.

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  21. Bertie you certainly are a chap with style, class and seriously good taste!

    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  22. Holy cow I don't think I'd be disappointed if I got to eat a piece of meat like that. It's plain old kibble for me!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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