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We were staying at a remote B&B inland from Oban - so remote that we took the evening meal option. One night we were served some absolutely succulent meat, delicious but unlike anything I was familiar with. When we asked what it was, we were told "ox cheek"!

btw despite being from the West Country, I love black pudding and haggis (both always with a poached egg on top, please!)

Jigjag,

Would love to read your cricketing thread - I think there are a few other cricket lovers on the forum too.

(BTW - Grandma`s YPuds were crispy on top !)

ChrisE, I always recoiled from the very idea of ox cheeks - and cod cheeks seemed even worse. I then saw a dish on 'Masterchef' or 'Great British Menu' which had ox cheeks in it - and what a lovely-looking dish it was. There was a thick, shiny gravy and meat that was so tender it was failing apart with just a fork. I now feel I might enjoy it!

PS I'll be unable to comment on any cricket scenarios, sketches etc as it's a sport I've never managed to like. Sorry, jigjag!

I was in London's East End until I was 18, and remember sometimes having bread and dripping.

To add to the list of unpleasant (to many) food: jellied eels. I don't like anything jellied, let alone something slimy like an eel.

In an Aberdeen b-and-b, an Oriental gentleman and I were the only people breakfasting. When he asked me what one item on his plate was, I played safe and pretended I didn't know, as it was black pudding and he might not have appreciated knowing its main ingredient.

@Steve - are you still in London? Being a veggie I have to say we are lucky here to get such a wide range of works food options that I can eat!

I live in the East End now but grew up in Essex, and when my friends and I would come in to London they would always insist on stopping at Tubby Isaacs famous jellied eel stall in Aldgate (it's closed now). I never fancied it, the sight and smell was more than enough to put me off.

Black pudding on the other hand......I've had it a few times when I've been in Ireland and it was delicious. - but I think Paul is right, it's better not to know what it's made of :-)

Although I'm from the south, I love haggis.
I wouldn't want to watch it being made though!

@Rossim - try Macsween vegetarian haggis from Waitrose - it’s surprisingly good! Best sliced, frozen, then microwaved as and when.

Malone

What interesting guests! I assume you were the hostess. Did you give them traditional Scottish food?

I have not bought any "qui noir". I assume it is black. Although you recommend global cuisine, I will not eat anything French or black, except black pudding of course.

As for freaker, that reminds me of John Arlott's description of the first streaker at Lords, the unlikely-named Michael Angelow. You probably missed it but Tyke and others will remember it well. The thought of eating it has freaked me out.

Malone, jigjag

Did you see the extensive analysis of the blocked Sainsbury/Asda deal in the Times yesterday? You were discussing it a few months ago, humorously, before the interim report of the CMA. One the reasons they have given is that it would lead to "a poor customer experience". That was exactly the phrase Malone used. Is that a co-incidence? Should I look at Sainsburys again?