For anyone who knows me, it will come as very little surprise that while transitioning between bed and bath during my sinus-infected 4th of July holiday weekend at home, I stumbled upon my newly discovered (and now favorite) British export. This addition is in fine company, up there in fact with Jane Austen, clotted cream, Richard Branson, Malt Vinegar, Prince Harry and the BBC.
All 7 seasons are available on Netflix instant view. I currently find myself in season 3, episode 4. For anyone not up on the BBC programming, this "Highland Drama" (I wish we had such riveting viewing categories here in the US) takes us to the romantic, rolling hill, babbling brook storybook town of Glenbogle. Tucked into thousands of acres of Scottish Higlands, Glenbogle is a 500 year old castle, passed down from generation to generation of MacDonalds, finally landing upon the youngest MacDonald son, Archie (Archie is my dog's name. I loved the show already). All weight falls on Archie to save this dilapidated and money pit of a castle from its own occupants, while managing to put some semblance of a life together for himself. The cook, the gilly (who, by the way, is named Gully. That's right. Gully the Gilly), the handyman, the batty old father, the kind and gentle mother and a revolving door of Paradise Island-like story lines within each episode. I'm hooked.
Ok, so I realize this is fairytale entertainment. And I realize that sitting in bed, watching 980 minutes of highland drama is excessive. Much like any drama series, I found myself devouring each 49 minute pod with insatiable hunger and familiarity. Which brings me to the title of this posting. And my point.
Every time I get really into a program - be it film or television (or youtube for that matter), I develop a taste for something new. Literally. I get hungry. There's generally some kind of memory/visual association involved, but nevertheless it happens every single time.
Sideways - pinot noir
Stealing Beauty - thin crust olive pizza
Howards End - earl grey tea (and I hate tea)
Top Gun - grapes and toasted pine nuts (don't ask)
Monarch of the Glen - cheese sandwich. The British kind. With that pickle stuff. White bread. Cut in triangles.
Anyway, it's a great show. You should check it out. And while you're at it, let me know how to make those little chutney finger sandwiches. I like those too.
