Whilst everyone was at work today, I thought I'd take it upon myself to make everyone a delicious dinner as a surprise for when they got home. (And also because I love delicious dinners!)
I looked in the top cupboards for inspiration: half a bag of rigatoni pasta (not nearly enough for all of our beastly appetites), some chicken flavoured Super Noodles, a half empty box of Special K (I lie, it's not even real Special K, it's called something like 'Healthy Balance' from Sains) and a few cinnamon and raison bagels (which really do not go down well with Marmite). The next cupboard along had a tin of sweetcorn which has been there since we moved into this house 7 or 8 years ago, a couple of tins of tuna (which I later fed to the dog; a bribe for it to like me more than anyone else!) and some vegetable soup. I also found an Old El Paso salsa which I got very excited about (as I also found some tortilla crisps), and had planned a whole Mexican feast in my head...but then I saw the expiry date on the salsa sachet: 2003... I didn't think I could really risk giving the fam food poisoning so close to Christmas!
I text Sara requesting a selection of delicious Mediterranean vegetables from her work (Riverford Organic Food company- it's excellent food, you should all sign up and have some delivered directly to your door by some very friendly staff!), but sadly she didn't get my text until it was too late.
When Charlie got home from work, I tried to persuade him to drive me to Sainsbury's to get some food, but he was desperate for a nap (I don't really blame him though as he had been at work since 7am). I couldn't deprive my brother of a nap, so I suggested that he let me borrow the car and go to Sains on my lonesome... he defs did not take to this idea, and told me there wasn't enough petrol (although the real reason is probably because he is very precious with his car, and he knows what my driving is like! I'd have probably got pulled over by the police AGAIN, for not having my lights on... apparently it is necessary when it's dark outside.. who would've known that?!)
As a last result I phoned Muma Voce. I always ring her at work, mostly regarding food and dinner. She came up with the most wonderful suggestion in the whole wide world... that we could go Christmas shopping and "grab something small" whilst we were there. PERFECT. No cooking, no washing up! And I'd been thinking about Nando's all day. (I really do need to get out more).
I dropped Nando's into conversation as we were walking arm in arm, with matching UGG's, on our way into town. I was very surprised when she agreed to it! I was really hoping the queue wasn't going to be too long, as I know that she gets a bit impatient (as we all do, especially when we are hungry), but then she will start projecting her thoughts to the rest of the restaurant, which is sometimes slightly cringey! But thank the Lordy we only had a ten minute wait (which was "very different to a 20 minute wait"; something Mama Voce pointed out to the waiter). We chose what we were going to have (mum got some mushroom thing.... in Nandos... which specialises in Chicken? Odd.) and I had my usual chicken pitta. Just as I was ordering, mum sprung to the counter and ordered an extra 5 hot chicken wings and coleslaw. I didn't really understand why, until Papa Voce arrived, making a very beneficial diversion from the train station!
Whilst we were waiting for the food, I spotted my dear friend Sheepie having a feast with her friend, and went and had a cuddle and chat with her to pass some time, (and because I love her company of course!)
The food finally came to our table, and I was tucking in straight away. (The Marmite bagel I'd had for breakfast hadn't filled me up all that well, so I was slowly deteriorating). All was good until Papa Voce took a bite of his second Hot Wing, and decided it was cold (luke warm). Mama Voce got onto the staff right away, and we sent the Wings back. If you order a "Hot Wing" you would expect it to be Hot, and not cold! Otherwise, they should be called Cold Wings- which are not so appealing!
A young waiter brought over the now hot Hot Wings to the table and apologised. Mama Voce made it clear that this was not good enough, as we had both finished our food, and all we had wanted this evening was to have a nice family dinner altogether, but we could no longer do this, as Papa Voce had to eat his after we had finished. The waiter got the Manager involved (who we did not see for a good 20 minutes). Mama Voce told Papa Voce to slow down on eating the Hot Wings, as it had to look like he was still eating them when the Manager came over, to make a point that he was eating long after we had finished....
The Manager eventually showed her face at table number 16 (which in the meantime, all the other waiters and waitresses had tactfully been avoiding), and in her hand was a gift voucher, entitling us to a FREE meal platter and not 5, but TEN hot wings!! This would cost more than what we even spent on our meal this evening!!
We now have a free McDonalds and a free Nando's to redeem, which Mama Voce has collected all in the space of one week!
I also just need to point out, that besides the cold (luke warm) Hot Wings, the rest of the meals were very very delish!!!!!
http://www.riverford.co.uk/
http://www.nandos.co.uk/
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