 |
Christmas ideas from NCOTAASD |
 |
|
|
Nanny Nicey has most of her Christmas shopping done by late August, I'm more of a Christmas Eve morning shopper myself. This year Wifey and I thought it might be nice to collect together in one handy page all the NCOTAASD things that we have sampled, or been tipped off about over the last year or so. Most are available online so you can put the kettle on grab a few biccies put your feet up and get Christmas all sorted out, or at least pretend that you are.
|
|
 |
Kitchen |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Teabagbin |
|
|
 |
Once again it's that that old favourite of ours the TeaBagBin. Sitting ever ready next to the kettle waiting to collect up all those spent bags, and keeping everything all nice and presentable in your important tea making area. When you've filled it up it's off to the compost heap or green bin with them. This gives you a bonus environmentally friendly warm and fuzzy feeling as you enjoy your cuppa. If you are having problems envisioning how that all hangs together then this promotional video on the TeaBagBin site should clear it up. I should warn viewers that the charming gentleman presenting it seems on the verge of slipping into Cockney Rhyming Slang through out.
Despite being the proud owners of gloriously shiny Stainless Steel TeaBagBin we are still plugging away away with our Mk1 grey plastic one, which shows no signs of fatigue.
Now the TeaBagBin has been updated with a whole range of coloured bases still topped off with that swish stainless steel top. There is also a crop of new products waiting in the wings to help the TeaBagBin keep order, which we plan to look at when they arrive. |
|
|
|
|
|
NCOTAASD field kitchen
|
|
 |
|
Trangia |
|
|
After the rip-roaring success of our cycle camping trip this year and the sterling work done by our Swedish Trangia camp stove we couldn't pass up yet another opportunity to sing its praises. Stick one of these in your rucksack or on the back of your bike and tackle the great outdoors safe in the knowledge that you can brew up virtually anywhere.
Not only that but modern day Trangias unlike our vintage 1986 model can be bought that are fully non-stick allowing for the easy creation of that staple of outdoor existence the improvised full English breakfast (insert Irish/Scottish/Welsh/ Isle of Man etc if needs be.)
Check out the Trangia Website for more info.
|
|
|
|
|
Food and Drink |
|
|
|
|
SANZA |
|
|
|
SANZA are online retailers based in London who specialize in all sorts of South African, New Zealand and Australian fare. All the usual treats which we've raved about in the past are there. So if you've never tried a Tennis Biscuit, Romany Cream or even an Iced Zoo then this is the place to go. Or if you're an Aussie fed up with telling us Brits how the Tim-Tam is superior to the Penguin, then prove it by stocking up on your version here (Here's what we thought). |
|
|
|
|
They also do hampers, so if you're a parent of a poor Southern Hemisphere backpacker who's in Old Blighty for Christmas, then you may have found the perfect gift to remind them of home. I see they also sell all sorts of rugby paraphernalia. Funnily enough they've run out of South African Jerseys, but you can get a bargain on the Australian and All Black ones.
|
|
|
|
Yuletide Yorkshire goodies
|
|
|
|
Botham's Cakes |
|
|
Christmas is a terrific time to put the kettle on and enjoy a slice of excellent seasonal cake. Some of the nicest fruit cake we have sampled comes from Elizabeth Botham and Sons, a family bakers who have been busy baking away for over 140 years in Whitby Bay Yorkshire. So good are their cakes that the keen eyed cake spotter will have seen them gracing the shelves of Selfridges. Botham's have a fine online store from which all year round favourites such Plum Bread, Yorkshire Brack, Ginger Brack, a range of Biscuits (we reviewed them a little while ago), All butter fruit cake (our favourite) and Bothams's own tea blends can be purchased. Their Christmas Store features hampers galore jammed full of Botham's goodies, Plum Puddings and of course Christmas cakes. |
|
|
|
|
|
What lies within here
|
|
|
|
Tregroes Toffee Waffles |
|
|
Flemish style stroop waffles made in deepest west Wales. We sampled them back in 2004, but they regularly pop up on our radar when ever we visit Wales. A quick recap for those unfamiliar with such things - imagine two golden crispy waffles about the size of beer mats sandwiched together with a layer of buttery caramel toffee, and optionally fully enrobed in dark or milk Belgian chocolate. For most mortals one of these at a time is sufficient. Aficionados are known to rest them over their hot cuppa till the insides go all gooey. Tregroes waffles can be found in most Welsh Markets and out side of Wales are carried by a number of wholesalers which sees them popping up in farm shops and the like as well as Lakeland Plastics. In London you can find them in Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. Waffles can be purchased direct but you'll need to send a cheque - details of how to do so are on their website. |
|
|
|
Books |
|
|
|
|
Our Book! |
|
|
|
| First of all a huge thanks to everyone who has bought our book so far. If you have just recently found your way to our site then perhaps you would like to cast an eye over our book page. Not only does it tell you what's in in it, but also has some nice pictures of biscuits and my Nan's old rocking chair and orange enamel teapot. |
|
|
|
Classy Hardback or Cuddly Paperback
|
|
|
