Noss and no noodles
It's that time of year of year where I start getting nostalgic for fierce biting wind, days of drizzle and a cold North sea. I was supposed to do some work in Sweden recently, but it all went tits up at the last and I suppose the pangs for a northern hemisphere chill set in from there. The snap above shows the ferry to the island of Noss in Shetland. It's the only island wildlife reserve in Britain accessible by a motorised dinghy and nothing else. You have to wave to the warden on Noss from the neighbouring island of Bressay. If he sees you, he'll come and fetch you. If he doesn't, well... take a good book.
Noss is heaving with sea birds, lined with seals, the odd otter and dolphin. It'll take you four hours or so to walk the coastline. Apart from the seasonal warden, it's uninhabited. After 9 months back in Saigon this is the kinda place I'd like to be for a couple of days. And sod the noodles, I'll have what's inside that perfect bundle above thank you very much.
What are you trying to do to me?! That paper bag set me off drooling... Dammit, no fish suppers until December :( Weather requiring a hefty coat & scarf would be most welcome about now.
Posted by: Matt | May 26, 2005 at 05:10 AM
...and you've got power cuts I hear...
Al Frescos did a half decent fish n chips in Hanoi as I remember. Nothing like the UK version, but adequate. No?
Posted by: pieman | May 26, 2005 at 08:31 AM
you can't have a decent fish and chips without Malt Vinegar. And there is no malt vinegar.
Posted by: OMIH | May 26, 2005 at 09:34 AM
Yeah luvvin the power cuts. The hydroelectric dam is empty! Was especially nice nursing my horrific hangover on Sat morning with no fans and oppresive heat... Haven't tried the Alfrescos version. To be honest unless its from a proper fish shop its not the same...I'm more of a curry sauce man than malt vinegar I have to admit.
Posted by: Matt | May 26, 2005 at 10:20 AM
Horrific hangovers and Hanoi seem to go hand in hand for the first six months of most Brits Hanoi stay. Hope you survive... Curry sauce - no way. I'm with OMIH on that score. Where's your class?
Posted by: pieman | May 26, 2005 at 12:12 PM
I left my class at university in Liverpool a way back...
I'm nearly at the 2 year mark in Hanoi now! (with a gap in the middle...) The hangovers aren't a too frequent occurence thankfully.
Hanoi hangover cure of choice - Bittet @ Hoa Ma Street then off for a mia da. Or Luna D'Autumno takeout & dvd (2 pizza marathon - Viennese & Parma mmm) if lazy. Whats yours OMIH?
Posted by: Matt | May 27, 2005 at 03:57 AM
Matt - I meant class as in social status, civilised behaviour etc ;)
Hangovers infrequent or otherwise, Bittet on Hoa Ma is an exceptionally wise choice.
Posted by: pieman | May 27, 2005 at 04:19 AM
har di har. puntastic.
can't beat the sizzle at Hoa Ma. Always amuses me to take new people there to be presented with a lard-spitting cow-shaped piece of iron.
Posted by: Matt | May 27, 2005 at 06:24 AM