tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post6103350649620059128..comments2024-03-18T08:28:21.036+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich to Great British Menu Olympian Banquet in The Painted HallHilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-10318490427402813072012-07-11T14:30:07.251+01:002012-07-11T14:30:07.251+01:00Hi Liara .. I went to a Bangladeshi wedding when m...Hi Liara .. I went to a Bangladeshi wedding when my mother was still at St Pancras hospital, as another patient was had been our ward - and we'd become great friends - they had a magnificent wedding full of rituals, symbolism .. with delicious food ... <br /><br />I'd love to experience more and will I hope get a chance to try new things in the future .. <br /><br />I'm always open to new things thankfully .. so appreciate your comment - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80266316030145110362012-07-11T13:43:30.379+01:002012-07-11T13:43:30.379+01:00Hilary, traditional food from Hindu cultures is so...Hilary, traditional food from Hindu cultures is so delicious. As a seasoned wedding guest, you are fortunate to taste a range of dishes. Its wonderful to have a palette that is open to tasting a variety. Open-mindedness, appreciation, understanding, love, and complete acceptance can all be conveyed through food.Liara Coverthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209966352106820245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90281984564747386502012-07-11T08:21:00.663+01:002012-07-11T08:21:00.663+01:00Hi Linda .. glad you enjoyed the post - it was a d...Hi Linda .. glad you enjoyed the post - it was a difficult one to describe and write about.<br /><br />I love historical fiction and as you say those feasts they would eat and sit through were amazing to think about - huge platters of fish and meat .. with not a lot of fruit and vegetables .. but they survived - riding long distances and not jumping on a bus or train!<br /><br />Thanks for being here .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-58736975954560671642012-07-10T21:05:42.164+01:002012-07-10T21:05:42.164+01:00I love reading about food! Those dishes sound yum...I love reading about food! Those dishes sound yummy, the pictures of the great halls. Such grandeur!<br /><br />I used to read some historical fiction set in England and they would descriptions of sumptuous feasts. It seemed like they prepared a ton of food. I guess they really do.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349143005152545854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-53052702728651584322012-07-09T06:31:37.871+01:002012-07-09T06:31:37.871+01:00@ Chase - consider it a treat after you've pic...@ Chase - consider it a treat after you've picked your laurel wreath up .. <br /><br />The Great British Menu is an annual tv series - with a goal at the end .. this year it was cooking an Olympian feast - the guests just happened to be Olympic medallists ..<br /><br />Me too - I'm looking forward to the Olympics - time to gather my wits as the days rush by.<br /><br />@ Gary - Blackheath is a beautiful area isn't it .. and if JRJ's brother had as stentorian a voice as JRJ did - then you'd be hearing their booms as they talked and laughed.<br /><br />Did we get sunshine .. probably some - the weather is usually much worse to the north as I go up the Downs! Hope you managed some walks with Penny and haven't been swamped out ... <br /><br />@ Michelle - our food is quite deicious ..if it's homely and well cooked! We've some wonderful restaurants, pubs, etc .. we love our food. The mix of peoples gives us choices ...foods of the world ...<br /><br />@ Amy - yes some of the meals they produce look like magic .. and I too love vegetarian food, though am not completely a veggie ... <br /><br />The foragers are picking the fields and woods dry .. in these dire times ... <br /><br />Good ice-creams are so delicious .. they're treats for me - not often to be had.<br /><br />@ Chuck - I've been trying to fit in some of the Wimbledon - there've been some wonderful matches.<br /><br />Nope - I now have to get my reading glasses on and work out some posts on the Olympics .. <br /><br />The dining hall is brilliant - the other three courts have rooms the same size!! Large place this naval hospital .. not sure I quite like the idea of a cheeseburger at 6.30 am .. coffee sounds better!<br /><br />@ Scarlett - the chefs obviously put a great deal of thought into their menus .. and the chicken dish was very clever .. the recipe for the sweetcorn egg .. is via the link to the BBC site where you'll find the recipes .. the sweet-corn egg is pictured .. looks like form of a scotch egg.<br /><br />Just imagine how they reached that height .. and the ceiling .. there are a great many paintings in the Hall - certainly 5 enormous ones .. 3 walls and two ceilings ... it boggles my mind!<br /><br />Cheers everyone see you soon .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-8013863425819681732012-07-08T23:46:38.315+01:002012-07-08T23:46:38.315+01:00Wow, that's some menu, sounds amazing (what is...Wow, that's some menu, sounds amazing (what is sweet-corn egg?). What I truly can't believe are those paintings! As someone who often finishes a card or a drawing in a day, 20 years on one project just baffles my mind!scarlett clayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07069502203545276963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-16506054910060961932012-07-08T20:51:28.202+01:002012-07-08T20:51:28.202+01:00Hi Hilary! I was watching a bit of Wimbledon this ...Hi Hilary! I was watching a bit of Wimbledon this morning and knew I had to stop by and visit. Are you all geared up for the Olympics?? And that dining hall...give me a good medium-rare cheesburger and fries and I'd be all set. What a massive room.Chuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13676928110297819368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50613877914359848152012-07-08T06:33:49.356+01:002012-07-08T06:33:49.356+01:00Such artistry. However, this vegetarian...
I hop...Such artistry. However, this vegetarian...<br /><br />I hope everyone enjoys their meals without draining all the rosehips of their syrup. <br /><br />Now that ice cream sounds yummy.Soul Dipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14626745605693835218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-43645411864396380032012-07-08T05:39:50.698+01:002012-07-08T05:39:50.698+01:00All of my life I've been told Brittish food is...All of my life I've been told Brittish food is yucky. I think I'd like to decide for myself. I've saved your link. Thanks. :)MTeacresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381461599028233499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-36949611395071548082012-07-08T00:44:50.242+01:002012-07-08T00:44:50.242+01:00Greetings Hilary,
Much food for thought in this ar...Greetings Hilary,<br />Much food for thought in this article as we countdown to the start of the Olympics.<br />Your article also triggered some memories. I lived in Blackheath, just a short journey from Greenwich, when I was seven and eight years old. In the flat we lived in, the brother of James Robertson Justice, the actor, lived above us.<br />Hope you get some semblance of sunshine over the weekend.<br />All the best,<br />Garyklahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-46106286085293034452012-07-08T00:21:49.308+01:002012-07-08T00:21:49.308+01:00Hi Hilary,
I consider myself to be an athlete and...Hi Hilary,<br /><br />I consider myself to be an athlete and don't think we need fancy foods prepared special for a once-in-a-lifetime event such as this. It seems kind of weird to me. <br /><br />I love the excitement of the Olympics and wish I were there to take it all in though.<br /><br />Cheers!Chase Marchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01936179353954941946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-82306549941105698922012-07-07T16:58:36.013+01:002012-07-07T16:58:36.013+01:00@ Ros - I slightly agree but I'd love to taste...@ Ros - I slightly agree but I'd love to taste delicious flavours. If you'd been there and returned that food - the walk to the kitchens would be like walking to the dungeons - you might not get out!?<br /><br />But like you - I'd have been very happy to be at the dinner in the Painted Hall lit by candlelight .. <br /><br />@ Julie - I've never seen the Seinfeld episode .. but can imagine the Pied Piper aspect with a line of dogs following along .. as you say the winning chefs made unusual dishes ..<br /><br />Thanks Ros and Julie - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-68394741228222362542012-07-07T09:09:57.679+01:002012-07-07T09:09:57.679+01:00I'm still thinking about the mutton. I remembe...I'm still thinking about the mutton. I remember the Seinfeld episode where dogs were following Jerry home, because he hid mutton in his pockets to not offend his date. Very unusual menus. JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-30601355172531186482012-07-06T12:06:06.296+01:002012-07-06T12:06:06.296+01:00It's a good job I'm not invited to big ban...It's a good job I'm not invited to big banquets. I can't stand fussy, frilly food and as for foam! If I ever get served food with foam on top I'll send it back to the kitchen. On the other hand I would love to have been a guest in that beautiful Painted Hall.Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-91172741179011579362012-07-06T07:04:06.158+01:002012-07-06T07:04:06.158+01:00@ Jo - thanks for reminding us about marscapone cr...@ Jo - thanks for reminding us about marscapone cream used for ice-cream.<br /><br />@ Liara - "fly on the wall and mistress of the Tardis" .. watching what was going on across the years .. <br /><br />The rituals, symbols, timings and attention to detail required for the Hindu wedding ... must have been amazing to see .. I went to a Bangladeshi wedding (one of my mother's co-patients daughter's) .. that was incredible .. so interesting to learn more about. <br /><br />@ Teresa - Happy Birthday to your son - hope you all had a lovely day ... Poached Pears are delicious aren't they .. I love pears.<br /><br />@ Lynn - you're another pear lover - I'm sure they all tasted wonderful and with the added extras of theatre in their presentation.<br /><br />Thanks so much .. we're rushing towards the Olympics - and I'll do my best to add some extra interest - or record it here for us to remember over and above the headlines.<br /><br />@ Susanne - just the way London is progressing towards the Games is interesting to watch .. <br /><br />Like you the food 'looks strange' - but I suspect is delicious ..<br /><br />@ Clarissa - glad you enjoyed the thoughts around the foods, the setting and being hungry - too early ... I'm keeping with the coffee for now!<br /><br />@ Juliet - I tried to convey the enormity of the buildings .. they are enormous! Built to last and built to impress.<br /><br />I haven't watched Downton Abbey - I'm sure I will one day .. by highlighting the Chelsea Pensioners, the Old Royal Naval Hospital it does remind us how far we've come in 200 - 300 years ... interesting to know it's part of the story line in Downton Abbey .. glad to read you're enjoying your DVD ...<br /><br />Thanks Jo, Liara, Teresa, Lynn, Susanne, Clarissa and Juliet .. good to see you .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-29165329486674080302012-07-05T23:00:08.372+01:002012-07-05T23:00:08.372+01:00I'm amazed - again - at the large scale of the...I'm amazed - again - at the large scale of these buildings. Such grandeur - or is it grandiosity? Am watching series 2 of Downton Abbey on DVD at present, and it makes an interesting parallel to your post, with the importance of hospitals and rehabilitation centres for the war wounded.Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542985048406828693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-53048253404639187642012-07-05T20:59:02.804+01:002012-07-05T20:59:02.804+01:00Wow, while I wouldn't say all the food sounds ...Wow, while I wouldn't say all the food sounds edible to me, the post has been enlightening and now I'm famished.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-6306782817223142402012-07-05T13:47:49.940+01:002012-07-05T13:47:49.940+01:00I'm looking forward to watching the Olympics. ...I'm looking forward to watching the Olympics. <br /><br />Some of the foods sounded interesting while I wasn't impressed with others.<br /><br />Have a wonderful day!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-68251144881882558652012-07-05T10:59:27.778+01:002012-07-05T10:59:27.778+01:00I might like those poached pears. Not sure about s...I might like those poached pears. Not sure about some of those other things. <br /><br />I am excited about the Olympics - I'm happy to have you on the front lines to give us more inside scoop!Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-2877820749787492722012-07-05T07:31:13.749+01:002012-07-05T07:31:13.749+01:00@ Joylene - great comment .. meat and beer every d...@ Joylene - great comment .. meat and beer every day isn't bad is it. Interesting results .. well they were Pensioners - not sure that's such a brilliant diet for recuperating sailors?!<br /><br />@ Amanda - I'm sure the food tasted delicious .. not something we'd do at home though. Enjoy your visit - but I'd wait til after the Olympics .. <br /><br />@ Suze - thanks I'm not often personal on the blog as such .. and I wanted to write about the competition .. and particularly having seen the setting.<br /><br />@ Morning AJ - how right you are .. but I enjoy seeing how food is developing - and I've loved some parts of the other series - really fired my imagination.<br /><br />Not interested in sports ... oh no - but you're right -the post never stood a chance ... still Greenwich was worth the stop wasn't it?!<br /><br />@ Madeleine - the lucky few thoroughly enjoyed their smorgasbord (not copying the symbols!) ... it's breakfast time here - lots of preparation before I can eat - and another coffee!<br /><br />@ Old Kitty - it is right in the heart of London isn't it .. and next time I must go on one of the river boats up there ..<br /><br />You didn't miss anything with the GBM - it lost the plot - but The Painted Hall was just amazing.<br /><br />The Olympic Torch .. it must on it's way down here - enjoy watching the Torch as it passes by .. <br /><br />Thanks .. everyone .. I'm glad I went and visited Greenwich and definitely will be going back .. <br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37613345921806629232012-07-05T02:57:03.192+01:002012-07-05T02:57:03.192+01:00Even after a July 4th (and my son's birthday)f...Even after a July 4th (and my son's birthday)feast today, I am craving poached pears. <br /><br />Great post!<br />TT. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-35976871853118183582012-07-05T02:56:57.856+01:002012-07-05T02:56:57.856+01:00This is a wodnerful story you share with vivid det...This is a wodnerful story you share with vivid detail. I sense you are like a fly on the wall with a close-up view and maybe also licking your chops... It reminds me that such an event would be a super challenge for master chef contestants. In Australia, among team challenges this year's contestants catered a three course meal for a specialized Hindu wedding for 450 people. The menu and timing of it is truly amazing.Liara Coverthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209966352106820245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83728038794343264842012-07-04T22:21:36.544+01:002012-07-04T22:21:36.544+01:00To Laura Eno. The sweet cheese ice cream was made ...To Laura Eno. The sweet cheese ice cream was made with marscapone cheese which, on its own, so long as its the true Italian marscapone, tastes very much like thick cream and so would make an excellent ice cream. Tiramisu is made from it after all and that's delicious.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50229129858696589182012-07-04T21:53:14.511+01:002012-07-04T21:53:14.511+01:00I adore visiting Greenwich!!!! It's a most ama...I adore visiting Greenwich!!!! It's a most amazing amazing amazing place and in the heart of LONDON!! AMAZING!!! <br /><br />I totally missed the Great British Menu this year - but my goodness the final menu chosen!!!<br /><br />Oh my little part of Herts is on the Olympic Torch route next week!!! I can't wait!! Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70797324080276709942012-07-04T21:12:07.363+01:002012-07-04T21:12:07.363+01:00What a sumptous, Smörgåsbord post. I feel very ver...What a sumptous, Smörgåsbord post. I feel very very hungry now! LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com