soft loud

 In the UK it's National Toast Day.  My west coast brother supplied this bit of information and commented on the reputation of the UK for rather bland food.  Actually, I've always had really good food in my few visits to the British Isles.  Even the Haggis served with suitable ceremony in Scotland was quite tasty. Of course it was washed down with Scotch.  A waitress later told me that they are required to include meat in it these days.  But the very best part of British cuisine, as far as I'm concerned, is that there is always brewed tea available.  Breakfast, lunch, tea, supper, there is always brewed hot tea.  When I ask for hot tea in a local restaurant (unless it's a Chinese restaurant) I'm likely to get hot water and a tea bag.  On my first stay in London, some years ago now, a friend and I had booked a room at Duke's Hotel.  I highly recommend it for many reasons but the best happened on the day we arrived.  We were early for our check in and our room wasn't quite ready, so the gracious lady at the front desk said "Won't you come into the parlor for some tea and biscuits while you wait?"  After an overnight flight that sounded like heaven to me, and when I sank into a comfy chair and was handed my cup of tea, I knew I had arrived in a new favorite place in the world.  By the way, they are just as generous with good hot tea in Australia.  No surprise there.