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Your e-Mails

Daniel Cafe Bronte Range Review	Dear Nicey & Wifey, Just recently my sister and I were withdrawing to the withdrawing room after a spot of tea and were discussing the inevitable coronation of Prince Charles. He will of course get his face on the money. But, we asked ourselves, who would inhabit the reverse sides? We've made our own list of favourites including the late great Richard Whitely for the five pound note, still lord of teatime in our hearts. Do you have an opinion already formed on the subject? Also I'm being asked to bring up the subject of ethical biscuits. Your latest review on the Cafe Bronte Range said their packaging has been increased from a mere cellophane wrapper to a wrapper, cardboard sleeve and sticker which is encouraging wastage. We implore you to consider the ethical content of biscuits in future reviews, not just recycability of packaging but also fair/free trade, organic, GM, food miles and economic qualities. For example overseas biscuits can just as well be baked locally but how will that support developing world employment if we keep all the jobs for ourselves? A tricky balance I'm sure and there could be no finer forum for it's debate than nicecupofteaandasitdown.com. Perhaps your next survey could include an ethics rating. Yours morally, Daniel.
	Nicey replies: I would have thought that Spike Milligan would be the obvious choice to go on the back of a Charles bank note. As for all those ethical things you brought up. I don't think the Cafe Bronte range are too bad at all for a point of sale type product, certainly we put all that cardboard in our recycling. But obviously being something you would consume in a cafe or the like it comes down to that particular establishments recycling facilities. The really right on people will take it home and recycle at home but they shouldn't have to. People who are attuned to such things will make their own decisions based on the facts available, so we simply try and pass on the relevant facts in each case, along with various petty quibbles and random musings. So perhaps it would be good to hear about sit down places where they responsibly recycle the packing from your cuppa and biccies. Places that simply put bits of cake or biscuits on plates and give you tea in a proper cup or mug as opposed to a paper or worse plastic one, and whose milk is in a jug not a plastic pot go to the top of the class.
Kate Strudwick	Dear Nicey and Wifey, Although I find myself agreeing absolutely with most of your biscatorial reviews, I do think you are a tad unfair to the Nice biscuit. I find that a simple test of the popularity of a biscuit is to see which ones are left until last in the average "fancy assortment" tin. We all know: that the chocolate covered ones are the first to go that you might well have to resort to feeding the pinkie wafers to the nearest dog so that you can dispose of them (to avoid breaching the rules that requires you to finish the first layer before proceeding to the second layer) However....my inclination would be to favour the Nice biscuits over the Bourbons (always a disappointment) or anything with icing on it. If I find a packet of 3 Nice biscuits on a hotel bedroom's hospitality table, I think it implies that it is a respectable establishment, with no pretentions. It's not the sort of place that would have frilly-knocker blinds instead of proper curtains and there would be a bath as well as a shower. There is a certain classiness to the pattern, convenient dunking shape, sugar distirbution and general svelteness of the Nice biscuit - not to mention that slight "coconut hit" afterwards. Also, it has stood the test of time, so it must have got something going for it. Unusually, it's one of those biscuits that I prefer without the addition of a layer of chocolate. That implies a pretty sound biscuit to me. If you are not having a similar experience with this fine piece of confectionery, then perhaps there's some biscuit-related trauma behind your prejudice that we should know about? Kate PS My mother-in-law has made a pint of custard every day for my father-in-law for the past 56 years. Allowing for holidays and the odd leap year - I reckon that's at least 45 gallons a year - a staggering 2,520+ gallons over the course of their marriage. That must make her a custard expert. Although the usual brand she uses is Bird's - she confesses a partiality to custard powder purchased in Ireland. Whenever I visit Ireland i come back with a huge stash of custard powder for her. Now I know of Wifey's connection to Ireland, would you agree that this is a superior product?
	Nicey replies: Kate, I'm not sure why I have got it in for the Nice biscuit (apart from the coconut which I don't like and its daft name), but I think its healthy to have a nemesis or two. As for all that Custard that deserves the erecting of some sort permeant commemorative monument and possibly a small visitor centre with a coach park. We haven't bagged any Irish Custard but I've been told about it. I once did an interview on Irish radio's Ray D'arcy show whilst somebody in the studio made some which was exciting. Apparently Irish Custard Powder is made by the same people who make Birds, so maybe they make it a bit differently for Ireland or it is exactly the same and its wishful thinking. Given your Mum-in-law's experience I wouldn't like to push that last point too far.
Elke Riederich	Hello Nicey & Wifey, only a couple of days ago I got your book with a comment like: Something sweet and funny. Well, having read it within a few hours I had to reply: This is some really serious stuff. I don’t think it’s funny :-). I run a tiny little Fudgery & British Shop in Bavaria (somewhere between Munich and Salzburg) www.wasserburg.de . So, do not fear to pay a visit to the continent sometime. There’s always a good supply of Digestives, Hob Nobs (shame it’s only the plain ones now), homemade shortbread, homemade biscuits and scones etc. You can enjoy a nice cup of tea as well (I’m working on the sit down at the moment, which will be 2 chairs/small table and the window showcase has to go….but what the heck) Will drop a line once a Nicecupofteaandasitdown (for 2) is provided at the Fudge Mahal. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Elke Riederich Fudge Mahal
	Nicey replies: Hi Elke, Hoorah for your lovely shop. I love your 360 degree panorama on your site. Also I have to congratulate you on your British shelves, PG Tips, Ambrosia Custard and Rice Pud, McVities Digestives, Sarsons Vinegar, Cream Crackers, Horlicks, Rose's Marmalade, Nairns Oatcakes but I see you've drawn the line at Marmite. If we ever find ourselves in Bavaria or fall out of the back of the Tirol sometimes we'll pop in for a cuppa.
Col	Hello Nicey, Love the website. Prawnzilla made me laugh a lot! I thought you'd like to know about something my girlfriend and I are organising. It's a mountain bike adventure race in the Keswick and Borrowdale are of the Lake District on Saturday the 4th of November this year. It's called the TeaRoom Challenge and is intended for all abilities. We're running it to bring people together and enjoy mountain biking and experience the pleasures of tea, cake and the lovely tea rooms of the Lake District. Details of the event including the rules are on our website. We have spoken to a lot of the tea rooms and if it is successful this year, they are happy to give the money for tea and cake towards a charity next time we run it. Everyone would be a winner! Thanks for your time, Col
	Nicey replies: That sounds like a very good plan indeed. Let us know how you all got on we are looking forward to all those pictures of tea and cake (as well as the lovely scenery).
Steve Cox	Hi Nicey I've just been introduced to your site by a good friend. Much as I enjoy it, it saddens me that I find you at such a "difficult" time. The demise of the plain chocolate hob nob has obviously hit everyone very hard indeed. While I myself have to hold my hand up and admit to no love of plain chocolate my friends grief is quite tangible. I tried to console her that it might be some sort of cynical marketing trick, much like the death and instant resurrection of Heinz Salad Cream. I fear now that I may have offered her false hope. Still chin up and thanks once again for the site.
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