Popular countries nearby that you have never actually been to yet?

[Pat Vegas]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

[Sir C]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

I think Finland might be the nearest. I've never been to the I Love Man, does that count?

[Luis Anaconda]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

Croatia - I would like to go to Croatia

[Sir C]

Croatia - I would like to go to Croatia

I was warned off because it's apparently full of Germans, la :-(

No one wants to spend time amongst Germans, do they?

[The Jorge]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

Germany (a football trip aside, this doesnt count), Russia and Canada.

[Burney]

I think Finland might be the nearest. I've never been to the I Love Man, does that count?

I'm going to be thoroughly sick of Finland by the middle of June. :-(

[The Jorge]

I'm going to be thoroughly sick of Finland by the middle of June. :-(

Nonsense, you be Lapping it up

[Sir C]

I'm going to be thoroughly sick of Finland by the middle of June. :-(

It's going to be lakes and forests, isn't it? Lakes and forests.

[Burney]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.


Greece. I've never been to Greece.

[Luis Anaconda]

I'm going to be thoroughly sick of Finland by the middle of June. :-(

I was thoroughly sick of Finns* at the weekend - bloody ice hockey meant they invaded my local pub. Mind you the look on their faces as Putin gave them the runners up medals was quite priceless


*not the women - there were lovely woman there

[barrybueno]

Canada nearby? I suppose you're nearer to it than me tbf :hehe:

[Burney]

It's going to be lakes and forests, isn't it? Lakes and forests.


Helsinki. Weirdly, loads of brutalist, commie-style architecture.

[Burney]

I was thoroughly sick of Finns* at the weekend - bloody ice hockey meant they invaded my local pub. Mind you the look on their faces as Putin gave them the runners up medals was quite priceless


*not the women - there were lovely woman there

Yes, that had just started when I was over there a week or so ago. They seemed quite put out that we didn't give a puck about it.

[The Jorge]

Canada nearby? I suppose you're nearer to it than me tbf :hehe:

It's closer than the whole of Asia.

That said, I've only been to France a couple of times and never been to Norway or Finland

[7sisters]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

Czech republic for me.. I've never been a part of the vomit comet stag committee to those parts.

[IUFG]

it is ****ing ****.

[barrybueno]

I don't think the new server could handle the list of countries I haven't been to, it's quite shocking. As a quick starter: Scotland and Ireland, been to Wales for a football match but we know that doesn't really count...

Edit: Dammit! Meant for Jorge. Oh well my 2nd :williams: imo

[Rich]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

Austria & Hungary.

[Burney]

Czech republic for me.. I've never been a part of the vomit comet stag committee to those parts.

I went in 92 before that lot had started. It was still quite bohemian and you could live like a king* on **** all a week.

*Insofar as the available food or accommodations allowed one to live like a king, i.e. not at all. Beer was cheap, though.

[The Jorge]

Greece. I've never been to Greece.

Proper ****, it would be nicer if they finished it but they've been at it 5000 years. It's like the Sagrada Familia but worse.

Also, literally the worst cooks ever, and I've eaten in rural ireland.

[The Jorge]

Austria & Hungary.

They've split up now

[Rich]

Croatia - I would like to go to Croatia

Highly recommend the Dalmatian trip from Split - Dubrovnik taking in a couple of islands (Brac was my favourite)

[Burney]

Proper ****, it would be nicer if they finished it but they've been at it 5000 years. It's like the Sagrada Familia but worse.

Also, literally the worst cooks ever, and I've eaten in rural ireland.

I've often held forth on here about how **** I find Greek food. This was always an excellent way of winding up Nic. Not that that was hard to do.

[Luis Anaconda]

I went in 92 before that lot had started. It was still quite bohemian and you could live like a king* on **** all a week.

*Insofar as the available food or accommodations allowed one to live like a king, i.e. not at all. Beer was cheap, though.

Still is relatively - particularly in the supermarkets. It also has Marks and Spencers food places so in some ways one of the more civilized parts of Central Europe

[Jake]

Proper ****, it would be nicer if they finished it but they've been at it 5000 years. It's like the Sagrada Familia but worse.

Also, literally the worst cooks ever, and I've eaten in rural ireland.

Is this true? I was thinking about going there in the summer as it's roasting and cheap. Isn't the food a bit like Turkish?

I'm not sure I trust you on things like this. You'd probably prefer a Center Parcs.

[IUFG]

indeed. Whats with all the ****ing cheese on everything?

[PSRB]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

Belgium.....is that a popular country?*

and Italy, been to Turin airport (dullest airport in the World) and driven to ski resort in neighbouring country but never seen Italy properly





*apart from with complete wrong 'uns, obviously

[Rich]

Is this true? I was thinking about going there in the summer as it's roasting and cheap. Isn't the food a bit like Turkish?

I'm not sure I trust you on things like this. You'd probably prefer a Center Parcs.

I wouldn't bother. Absolutely teeming with Allans these days.

[The Jorge]

I've often held forth on here about how **** I find Greek food. This was always an excellent way of winding up Nic. Not that that was hard to do.

Greek food is actually alright, or at least alright in comparison to when they attempt to cook people food.

[Burney]

Still is relatively - particularly in the supermarkets. It also has Marks and Spencers food places so in some ways one of the more civilized parts of Central Europe

:hehe: I remember going into a supermarket there with the intention of buying some food only to be confronted by row upon row of empty shelves and a load of angry looking Czech housewives. I also went into a s****y restaurant in Wenceslas Square (NB Czech people - that's not a square) and was served a meal of quite extraordinary nastiness in the most opulent surroundings for which I paid about £2.50. Very odd.

We stayed in one of the apartments that had been reserved for Communist Party officials and their families and the landlady was clearly the widow of one such and made very clear how much she resented having to make ends meet by letting decadent western kids kip in her spare room.

[The Jorge]

Is this true? I was thinking about going there in the summer as it's roasting and cheap. Isn't the food a bit like Turkish?

I'm not sure I trust you on things like this. You'd probably prefer a Center Parcs.

Feel free to not trust me but rest assured I'm not really a Center Parcs type, and wouldnt be on spelling alone.

You'd probably enjoy it, albeit ironically as that's the only way your stunted, warped mind is capable of enjoyment.

[Sir C]

Is this true? I was thinking about going there in the summer as it's roasting and cheap. Isn't the food a bit like Turkish?

I'm not sure I trust you on things like this. You'd probably prefer a Center Parcs.

I've eaten very well in Greece. I suppose most English people abroad tend to eat in places advertising 'Eggs and Chips' and 'English Breakfast', so their reports of 'Greek food' are likely to be unreliable.

[The Jorge]

I went in 92 before that lot had started. It was still quite bohemian and you could live like a king* on **** all a week.

*Insofar as the available food or accommodations allowed one to live like a king, i.e. not at all. Beer was cheap, though.

"bohemian" :hehe: Hat tip

[Sir C]

:hehe: I remember going into a supermarket there with the intention of buying some food only to be confronted by row upon row of empty shelves and a load of angry looking Czech housewives. I also went into a s****y restaurant in Wenceslas Square (NB Czech people - that's not a square) and was served a meal of quite extraordinary nastiness in the most opulent surroundings for which I paid about £2.50. Very odd.

We stayed in one of the apartments that had been reserved for Communist Party officials and their families and the landlady was clearly the widow of one such and made very clear how much she resented having to make ends meet by letting decadent western kids kip in her spare room.

The slices of dumpling :-(

**** me.

Mind you, the little slices of bread with lard and raw onions are good with beer.

[Jake]

I've eaten very well in Greece. I suppose most English people abroad tend to eat in places advertising 'Eggs and Chips' and 'English Breakfast', so their reports of 'Greek food' are likely to be unreliable.

Mmm, I thought as much.

[Jake]

There's nothing ironic about fine food and hot weather j.

The idea of living like a king in an economically broken nation is, I admit, an appealing side factor.

[Luis Anaconda]

I went in 92 before that lot had started. It was still quite bohemian and you could live like a king* on **** all a week.

*Insofar as the available food or accommodations allowed one to live like a king, i.e. not at all. Beer was cheap, though.

Last time I went, I was escorted round by a lady from the tourist board. It was all very nice and churchy, but as she kept pointing out that they weren't very religious but if they were there real religion was beer, she could have taken me to the pub

[PSRB]

Is this true? I was thinking about going there in the summer as it's roasting and cheap. Isn't the food a bit like Turkish?

I'm not sure I trust you on things like this. You'd probably prefer a Center Parcs.

It is terrible on the whole for food. Still go all inclusive there every year though as the food isn't exactly "Greek"

[Burney]

The slices of dumpling :-(

**** me.

Mind you, the little slices of bread with lard and raw onions are good with beer.

I last encountered the dumplings - or something similar - in Hungary on a river cruise that a company had set up as a supposed treat. They're like anti-food. They should sell them as diet aids, as simply putting them in your mouth instantly unhungrifies you. :-(

Yes. Black bread, lard and onions is good. Although not exactly breath friendly.

[Sir C]

Mmm, I thought as much.

A little taverna halfway up a hill, grilling lumps of lamb over a wood fire, the moussaka, olives, aubergines, the good, good oil... grand stuff.

Avoid the retsina. It tastes like bear's piss.

[Burney]

A little taverna halfway up a hill, grilling lumps of lamb over a wood fire, the moussaka, olives, aubergines, the good, good oil... grand stuff.

Avoid the retsina. It tastes like bear's piss.

I'm not having moussaka. There is simply no excuse for moussaka in a world where lasagne has been invented. As for the rest, you've only described some ingredients. There's more to good food than ingredients and I've always thought that Greek food is essentially just middle eastern food with all the good flavour taken out.

[Jake]

It is terrible on the whole for food. Still go all inclusive there every year though as the food isn't exactly "Greek"

All inclusives are, generally, a ****ing abomination.

Their drinks are particularly insulting, imo.

[Burney]

All inclusives are, generally, a ****ing abomination.

Their drinks are particularly insulting, imo.

Insulting drinks, you say?

137

[Sir C]

I'm not having moussaka. There is simply no excuse for moussaka in a world where lasagne has been invented. As for the rest, you've only described some ingredients. There's more to good food than ingredients and I've always thought that Greek food is essentially just middle eastern food with all the good flavour taken out.

:shrug: I've had some amazing Greek food. Your opinion of moussaka isn't going to change that, is it? The whole point is the simplicity and the quality of the ingredients.

You should avoid restaurants with laminated menus in English. Or leave the resort occasionally. That's your problem.

[Burney]

:shrug: I've had some amazing Greek food. Your opinion of moussaka isn't going to change that, is it? The whole point is the simplicity and the quality of the ingredients.

You should avoid restaurants with laminated menus in English. Or leave the resort occasionally. That's your problem.

I've already explained that I've never been to Greekland, so the 'resort' crack is neither here nor there. My experience is based on what I've eaten this country (not necessarily a good yardstick, I'll grant you) and what I've read about the cuisine, which fails utterly to inspire me. And moussaka is just ****, I'm afraid. Although now I say that, I did see that won that Patrick Leigh-Fermor's housekeeper used to make him that had potatoes in and sounded OK. Potatoes make everything better.

[Sir C]

I've already explained that I've never been to Greekland, so the 'resort' crack is neither here nor there. My experience is based on what I've eaten this country (not necessarily a good yardstick, I'll grant you) and what I've read about the cuisine, which fails utterly to inspire me. And moussaka is just ****, I'm afraid. Although now I say that, I did see that won that Patrick Leigh-Fermor's housekeeper used to make him that had potatoes in and sounded OK. Potatoes make everything better.

YOU'VE SLATED A WHOLE COUNTRY'S CUISINE WITHOUT EVER HAVING BEEN THERE? **** me, that is a brave position. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I make that Patrick Leigh-Fermor moussaka at least once a month. It is ****ing nectar.

[Burney]

YOU'VE SLATED A WHOLE COUNTRY'S CUISINE WITHOUT EVER HAVING BEEN THERE? **** me, that is a brave position. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I make that Patrick Leigh-Fermor moussaka at least once a month. It is ****ing nectar.

I've never been to Vietnam, but I rather like the Vietnamese food I've had. :shrug: Is that such an unsustainable position?

[Pat Vegas]

Austria & Hungary.

Austria is great. Well I only went to Vienna but it was nice.
Though I had this feeling it could kick off at anytime. But that's just a mental problem I have.

[Sir C]

I've never been to Vietnam, but I rather like the Vietnamese food I've had. :shrug: Is that such an unsustainable position?

:shrug: The foreign food we eat in this country tends to be an approximation of the real thing, doesn't it? Maybe you got lucky with Vietnamese but not with Greek, but without giving the place the benefit of trying the real stuff, it seems to me difficult to condemn it.

I had borscht in restaurants in London a couple fo times and enjoyed it; then I had it in Russia and realised that Russian food actually is ****; but I wouldn't have known that without going there.

The odd thing about that moussaka is that it's made with beef. I tried it once with lamb and it just didn't work. Who knew Greeks had beefs?

[Burney]

Austria is great. Well I only went to Vienna but it was nice.
Though I had this feeling it could kick off at anytime. But that's just a mental problem I have.

Salzburg is nice, too. And there's the hill Julie Andrews runs up in Sound of Music just outside it.

They're all Nazis, though. That's the only problem with Austria.

[Pat Vegas]

Belgium.....is that a popular country?*

and Italy, been to Turin airport (dullest airport in the World) and driven to ski resort in neighbouring country but never seen Italy properly





*apart from with complete wrong 'uns, obviously
I've done France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, I haven't been to any of the Scandiavian places. Iceland next week for the firs time.

I think I've only been to 10 or 11 countries in total. doesn't help that I keep going to the US. actually realised I been there 5 times in 4 years.

Italy is great. and I was skeptical before I went!

[Sir C]

Salzburg is nice, too. And there's the hill Julie Andrews runs up in Sound of Music just outside it.

They're all Nazis, though. That's the only problem with Austria.

In Austria they call the Schweinshaxe 'Stelze'. Weirdos.

[Pat Vegas]

Salzburg is nice, too. And there's the hill Julie Andrews runs up in Sound of Music just outside it.

They're all Nazis, though. That's the only problem with Austria.

They do that annoying thing that Canadians and New Zealanders do.
'We are not German/American/Australian haha'

but they have the coffee culture down.

[Burney]

:shrug: The foreign food we eat in this country tends to be an approximation of the real thing, doesn't it? Maybe you got lucky with Vietnamese but not with Greek, but without giving the place the benefit of trying the real stuff, it seems to me difficult to condemn it.

I had borscht in restaurants in London a couple fo times and enjoyed it; then I had it in Russia and realised that Russian food actually is ****; but I wouldn't have known that without going there.

The odd thing about that moussaka is that it's made with beef. I tried it once with lamb and it just didn't work. Who knew Greeks had beefs?

Of course. I just feel that the Greeks have been here a while now and if they had any really good food to show us, we'd have seen it by now. Are there any outstanding Greek restaurants, though? I think not.

Is it beef? This gets better. Lamb mince just makes things horribly greasy in my experience. Have you got that recipe anywhere?

[Burney]

They do that annoying thing that Canadians and New Zealanders do.
'We are not German/American/Australian haha'

but they have the coffee culture down.

Yeah, they're obsessed with coffee and cake, though. And for me, coffee is just something you drink when it's not acceptable/too early to drink booze.

[Burney]

In Austria they call the Schweinshaxe 'Stelze'. Weirdos.

I suppose the thing about Vienna was that most of its high culture, refinement and intellectual elite was Jewish.

So, come Anschluss, the place basically blew its brains out. :-(

[Sir C]

Of course. I just feel that the Greeks have been here a while now and if they had any really good food to show us, we'd have seen it by now. Are there any outstanding Greek restaurants, though? I think not.

Is it beef? This gets better. Lamb mince just makes things horribly greasy in my experience. Have you got that recipe anywhere?

I've got it on Paprika. I'll work out a way to send it to you. It takes a while because it's important to pre-fry the aubergine, courgette and potato slices until they have some colour, which means a lot of frying.

[Burney]

I've done France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, I haven't been to any of the Scandiavian places. Iceland next week for the firs time.

I think I've only been to 10 or 11 countries in total. doesn't help that I keep going to the US. actually realised I been there 5 times in 4 years.

Italy is great. and I was skeptical before I went!

I've never been to Iceland and never will. The place is just stupid, they stole our money and they all believe in trolls and **** their cousins imo.

[Sir C]

I suppose the thing about Vienna was that most of its high culture, refinement and intellectual elite was Jewish.

So, come Anschluss, the place basically blew its brains out. :-(

:-( I do like Salzburg a lot, though. I went up to Berchtesgarten in the snow. It was rather lovely.

[Burney]

I've got it on Paprika. I'll work out a way to send it to you. It takes a while because it's important to pre-fry the aubergine, courgette and potato slices until they have some colour, which means a lot of frying.

Do you fry the aubergine in oil or dry fry it? Only I find Aubergine just soaks up any oil and becomes mush if you're not careful.

[Burney]

:-( I do like Salzburg a lot, though. I went up to Berchtesgarten in the snow. It was rather lovely.


I was supposed to go to Graz the other week, but couldn't, which was a shame as I hear it's a fascinating and rather lovely place.

[Sir C]

Do you fry the aubergine in oil or dry fry it? Only I find Aubergine just soaks up any oil and becomes mush if you're not careful.

In oil, but hot, hot, hot. As hot as you dare. And only long enough to get some colour. I don't see why you shouldn't dry fry it, come to think of it.

Yes, first you slice the aubergines and courgettes. Then you salt them. Then you peel spuds and slice them. Then you fry all your slices and lay them on kitchen paper to drain, which means using every available inch of work surface. You have now been at it for an hour and the kitchen is trashed, and you haven't started on the ragu or the bechamel yet.

Now I come to think of it, it's a right pain in the hole :hehe:

[Burney]

In oil, but hot, hot, hot. As hot as you dare. And only long enough to get some colour. I don't see why you shouldn't dry fry it, come to think of it.

Yes, first you slice the aubergines and courgettes. Then you salt them. Then you peel spuds and slice them. Then you fry all your slices and lay them on kitchen paper to drain, which means using every available inch of work surface. You have now been at it for an hour and the kitchen is trashed, and you haven't started on the ragu or the bechamel yet.

Now I come to think of it, it's a right pain in the hole :hehe:

Yeah. Especially when you could just make a lasagne, after all. ;-)

[redgunamo]

Spain, Germany.

I have not been to either.

But I've been to Poland.

Join the army, P. See the world.