web analytics

Meanwhile in Tonbridge…


So, somebody is leaving £5, £10 and reportedly even £20 notes under rubber ducks on Tonbridge High Street, with notes that say things like

“I am a duck and I have a present for you. Why not buy a coffee or treat yourself. You can do whatever you want. Keep me in your pocket and when you can, put something else under me and hide me in town for someone else to find and benefit from your kindness. Let’s be nice. Go be nice.”

I find I don’t have anything to add to this story.

Changing the subject, I dropped by the fruiterer for some physalis today. You have no idea how much it pleases me to say that.

They do actually call them fruiterers here; fancy old-fashioned little fruit and veg stores. There’s a nice one near work where signs tell you where it all comes from, including sometimes the actual farm.

They sell local stuff, but also wild mushrooms and fresh herbs and heavy cream and exotic things. I love that shop. But mostly I love saying “fruiterer.”

Comments


Comment from David Gillies
Time: November 17, 2014, 9:46 pm

Are physalis still as eye-wateringly expensive as they used to be? When I lived in the UK I would occasionally pick a punnet off the shelf in the supermarket. Then I would look at the price and put it back.


Comment from Mrs Compton
Time: November 17, 2014, 10:31 pm

What is a physalis?


Comment from Anonymous
Time: November 17, 2014, 10:35 pm

A vocabulary lesson today 🙂
First I had to look up physalis, then I had to look up punnet.
So—tomatillos in a pint basket. Red or green?


Comment from Mrs Compton
Time: November 17, 2014, 10:39 pm

I have a cold, the only thing I can do is click and read.


Comment from Mrs Compton
Time: November 17, 2014, 10:42 pm

So that’s what was on my Christmas “pudding”!!!! I use quotes since I was expecting the flaming dome thing and got a chocolate with physalis on top. Mrs C went to complain as I was sure there was a mistake and got the rude, that IS OUR pudding. I was very sad.


Comment from S. Weasel
Time: November 17, 2014, 10:59 pm

It’s pretty dear, David. I think I paid around £1.50 for a punnet. I do love me some physalis, though.

Which is weird. I don’t eat a lot of fruit.


Comment from S. Weasel
Time: November 17, 2014, 10:59 pm

Orange. They’re orange.


Comment from QuasiModo
Time: November 17, 2014, 11:10 pm

Physalis …sounds like some kind of ointment for achy joints :+)


Comment from Stark Dickflüssig
Time: November 18, 2014, 12:03 am

Oh, a tiny husk tomato. Those things are pretty damned tasty, yes.


Comment from Mrs Compton
Time: November 18, 2014, 12:19 am

I didn’t eat mine, it scared me.


Comment from Nina
Time: November 18, 2014, 1:03 am

It’s kind of like the Art abandonment group on the book of faces, only with money. I like it. 🙂


Comment from Mojo
Time: November 18, 2014, 9:22 pm

Are all fruiterers named Bruce?

Ok, ok, I denounce myself.


Comment from Steamboat McGoo
Time: November 19, 2014, 1:09 am

I am really enjoying not having the slightest clue as to the subject of this conversation, or the professions of the individuals – or identities of the objects/positions/ acts – involved.

Thank you!


Comment from Hardy & Littlewood
Time: November 19, 2014, 3:11 am

SWeasel sed:
But mostly I love saying “fruiterer.”

Oh, we are certain it titillates the weaselly Colonial transplant.

For an extra dose of frivolity, do pronounce it “fruitereur.”


Comment from Lucy Worsley
Time: November 19, 2014, 3:01 pm

Fruitereur! Fruitereur, I declare! bring your wares yonder!


Comment from Roderick Fortescue, Esq.
Time: November 19, 2014, 3:10 pm

in my Oxfowd days I twained as a fwuiteweuw’s appwentice. But then I was weweased.

Write a comment

(as if I cared)

(yeah. I'm going to write)

(oooo! you have a website?)


Beware: more than one link in a comment is apt to earn you a trip to the spam filter, where you will remain -- cold, frightened and alone -- until I remember to clean the trap. But, hey, without Akismet, we'd be up to our asses in...well, ass porn, mostly.


<< carry me back to ol' virginny