JohnfromUK

Good luck. I have several friends who had had it done with great success. Follow instructions on exercise/physio afterwards.

Yes, I was

The "Triple Lock" gives a rise on 6th April based on the highest of inflation, wages or 2.5% and is calculated on the previous September (i.e. September 2024) figures. That will indeed make it 4.1%. What that actually is in £ per week/month depends a bit on the individual pension as there are huge variations depending on married/single, date of retirement, SERPS, number of 'qualifying years' etc., but all should get 4.1% I believe.

https://www.lindt.co.uk/lindt-excellence-dark-chilli-bar-100g

I agree, but several of those who have said they use it are good cooks (in my view).

A key bit of my cooking 'toolbox' is my ETI Thermapen. Used to check food is cooked internally to correct temperature. Not cheap, but a great help in getting things done 'just right'. Whilst overcooked rather spoils the food, undercooked (especially poultry) can be risky. Knowing the temperature of the actual food minimises risks.

Looks good. As you rightly say, there are so many recipes .......... some add very dark chocolate which is supposed to be good.

It's not expensive, so worth a try. You may like it, or you might not, but worth a try.

Looks very nice - another sprout fan here.

Most places that offer a 'full English' (i.e. a fried breakfast) include it either as one of the plated items, or as an option. Try it. It's not (to me) unpleasant at all, it's just that I prefer other things. The problem with buying (e.g from a supermarket) is that you get rather too much to just try. One slice is a good sized helping for me (and I do like my fry ups!).

It's made many places, but I believe Lancashire is a bit of a 'hub'? Stand to be corrected.

Not been there - it's a bit far south for me. I'm north of Tewkesbury.

Yes, that's the way I have become - mainly now go for the dentist - which doesn't add to the appeal !

I will eat black pudding - but it's not a great favourite and not something I would do. If I'm out somewhere and it arrives on the plate, I'll eat it, but rarely at home. I just don't much like the taste. I'm also not a hash brown fan. Buble and squeak, yes, fried potato (either leftover mash or leftover boiled/roast fried up are great, but the shop bought hash browns always look OK but are disappointing to eat. Having said that - the best I have had were from Aldi I think.

Although I live not far away, I have only been into Gloucester once in the last 10 years or so - and that was a 'necessary' visit to the Cathedral for a memorial service for a friends family. Gloucester - like most of these places now is scruffy, dirty, difficult to navigate, difficult to park and depressing. I accept that people like me shopping now 'on-line' are responsible in part, but I will do what I find least inconvenient.