Brand England

Since we decided to move to France I have been strengthening Brand England. At first I thought my increased tea intake correlated to being at home all day looking after Baby C, but now I see it is infact a pre-emptive strike at retaining my Englishness in the face of being the only English person surrounded by Frenchies.

The most notable aspect, as mentioned, is an increased tea intake. From one to, at least, three mugs a day. All mugs of tea to be accompanied by biscuits, either digestive or rich tea, with a nod to the French the rich tea biscuits can be covered in Nutella, actually I recommend it.

With Mr. C also at home I have got him drinking the tea too. Previously this was reserved for when he had a hangover. I still don’t agree with the three teaspoons of sugar he has in his tea but to get him onto a cup a day with digis for dipping is an achievement. He even concedes that the French do not know how to make tea and that in this the English are the superior.

Tea clearly drives the old Empire and is the reason that the British embassy in Madrid can make a passport for Baby C in two weeks compared to the month it will take the French.

Further efforts to reinforce Brand England will see me trying to include “spiffing” and “what-ho old chap” into everyday conversation.