Speisekarten aus Papier sind doch eigentlich unnötig oder?

Das findet ein Pub in Sandwich, Kent (England) denn dort läuft so einiges anders. Es fängt schon damit an, dass an der Eingangstür ein Schild hängt auf dem es heißt, dass Kinder gerne gesehen sind. Bei der Bestellung vom Essen war dann davon aber nichts zu merken. Unsere Tochter (5) konnte zwar eine Kinderportion bekommen, eine Kinderspeisekarte gab es allerdings nicht.

Nicht, dass es uns bei den Speisekarten besser ging: Statt normalen Speisekarten bekamen wir das Angebot auf zwei großen Tafeln auf Stühlen zum anschauen!

The Red Cow, Sandwich, 2007
The Red Cow, Sandwich, 2007

Als wir dann ausgesucht hatten was wir essen wollten freuten wir uns auf ein leckeres Essen wie wir es bisher von diesem Pub gewohnt waren. Leider mussten wir eine deutliche Verschlechterung in der Menge und der Qualität feststellen. Wir wussten zwar, dass der Besitzer gewechselt hatte, aber so etwas hatten wir dann doch nicht erwartet. Ein Beilagensalat bestand aus 2 Salatblättern, einige Streifen Paprika, 1/2 Cocktailtomate, 1 Zwiebelring und 2 Stücke Gurke. Und, dass dies frisch wäre konnte man auch nicht behaupten. Auch das restliche Essen war nicht unbedingt üppig und schmackhaft.

Schade eigentlich, denn wir sind immer sehr gerne in dieses Pub gegangen. Das ist zum Glück in den Pubs nicht normal!

Demand for rental property surges on Lanzarote

The number of British and Irish residents planning to relocate to Lanzarote has jumped by 35% in the second quarter of 2008.  That’s according to figures released by leading Lanzarote property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook, suggesting that the darkening economic situation in the UK and Ireland looks likely to lead to a growth in the number of people seeking a brighter future abroad.

An analysis of the enquiries for property for sale in Lanzarote received between April and June this year reveals that long term rental enquiries have jumped dramatically compared to the first quarter of 2008, now accounting for almost 44% of all enquiries.

Most of those looking to escape rising household bills and falling disposable incomes are seeking apartments to rent on a long term basis in the island’s main resort of Puerto del Carmen, which apart from being the epicentre of both the British and Irish expat communities on the island is the main hub for employment opportunities for most new arrivals.

With a cooling housing market and rising rents in the UK, rental accommodation in the resort and across the island in general is certainly a more cost effective alternative – with one bedroom apartments starting from around the €500 per month mark (currently around £400).

Lanzarote also offers much cheaper food, fuel and utility costs.  As you might imagine, heating bills are non-existent!

There has been a 35% fall in mortgage approvals across the province of Las Palmas, leading to a fall in demand for property for sale and lower prices, as local banks tighten their lending criteria.

The bulk of prospective buyers are currently seeking property at the cheaper end of the market – with 77% of all enquiries received focusing on listings priced below the €300,000 mark.

Geographically, Puerto del Carmen remains the most sought after location for British and Irish based overseas buyers – accounting for 41% of all enquires received.

British troops in Germany

You don’t encounter that many British troops in Germany these days, at least not in my part of the country.

This week I read an article about troops in northern Germany leaving after 63 years, and it brought back memories of the life in the 1980s, when there were many more of them here.

I remember…

– cars with number plates with red borders, showing that they had been registered overseas

– listening to BFBS during visits to Germany

– encountering members of the British forces on the ferries between Dover and Zeebrugge, returning to their basis after time in the UK

– it being perfectly normal to meet members of the British forces when out and about in German towns

Can you imagine that happening today?  In today’s security climate I can’t image troops travelling in uniform in specially-marked cars and going shopping without putting on civilian clothes first!

Germany was close enough to home to go on holiday to, and thus troops were not so far away from home, a situation that the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq unfortunately can’t enjoy.

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