Food

I am already an ex-pat, having lived in The Netherlands since 1976. Looking forward to retiring next year to La Herencia de Casares. What I want to know is, does anyone go to Gibraltar - Morrisons  - for their food shopping. Is it too much of an effort? I can't wait, I have already bought a cool box that plugs into the car.

I think it depends a lot on how far you live from Gib, whether you can be bothered with the border hassle (some recent reports say it's much improved lately) and how desperate you are for a "fix" of British products. If you smoke, drink or consume large quantities of electronic goods, you can make considerable savings by popping over. Personally I can't see the point, since there really is virtually nothing you can't buy in any main Spanish supermarket - unless it absolutely has to be a particular brand. I don't know if Morrisons are in the Netherlands, but if not, I wonder how often you pop over to the UK to go to a supermarket?! For me in Torremolinos, it's just not worth it. If you take into consideration the very real possibility of being delayed at the border several hours (each way), you could probably drive to the UK from Holland, via the Tunnel, just as quickly! Although my neighbour assures me that Morrisons do some fantastic (and cheap) cakes that makes the journey worthwhile!

You have my interest now, talking about terrific cakes. I am in Estepona for the first two weeks in September so I think I might just have to check them out. Thanks for your tip!

 

I have made sevral trips to Gib and Morrisons on visits to the Costa Del Sol. I have never experienced these long delays that people always go on about and have visited at various times of the year and various times of the day. You do have to queue to exit Gib,but to be honest this has never been more than 15 or 20 minutes. It is true you can buy most products on the CDS now but you will find they are also double the price of the Morrisons in Gib.

Also worth mentioning is the Iceland/Waitrose store in Fuengirola.It goes under the banner of Iceland but it does also sell Waitrose products. This is going to become a part of a chain of these stores opening all along the Costa Del Sol.

Thanks Samson. The Iceland/Waitrose store is also a great tip. Gosh, I can see me getting really big very quickly when I move. Will have to make extra lengths in the pool every day. I'm hoping the initial -kid in a sweetshop - feeling will not last long.

Iceland store going to be opened in Torrevieja soon.

We live in Manilva, so not far from you in Casares and we are always poppping into Gibraltar. In fact many people commute from as far as Marbella to Gibraltar to work everyday.

Susan

There is a new english supermarket opening in CN 340, Km148. Some supermarkets like Supersol, Carrefour, Mercadona sell now english products. I like to go to GIb sometimes but I find it silly to be going every week. the idea of come to Spain is to leve the spanish live or no?

We probably go once a month. You usually find when you are following a recipe that you need to go to Gib for some ingredients but you can get a lot more here than you used to.

I started the "FOOD" thread last August and it is still going!!

It only goes to show how much we love our food.

p.s. I am coming to CDS for a week from 24/2/08  and I do plan to make a trip to Gib. We did get the turkey there for Xmas and loads of other goodies besides,  BUT NOBODY TURNED UP.

We had to eat it all ourselves, shame. Having a walk along the beach while the turkey was cooking was a first.

 

You should have told us, we would have come over to help you eat all your goodies!!

Susan

"You usually find when you are following a recipe that you need to go to Gib for some ingredients"

For example? Just curious. I asked 'er indoors, and we honestly are struggling to think of anything that you can't get somewhere locally. Suet is tricky, but Dunnes usually have it.

Are you sure it's not just an excuse to pop over once a month for a bit of cultural respite? You're near enough to justify it. But what about our CB friends?

Margaret - thats cos we were all at Ikea having meatballs and waiting for you!!!!!!

let me think, tahini for example

Susan

Tahini? How much you willing to pay? I'll happily supply that for you! We're very cosmopolitan up here in Torrie, you know.

I see you can't keep away from IKEA, Rixxy.

Tahini?  What do you want, Greek, Cypriot or Lebanese?  All available in cosmopolitan Torre, you know.  After years of using the Cypriot tahini, we found the Lebanese and it is lovely and smooth.

Anyhoo....Now that Carrefour are selling Pukka pies and HP sauce, I might turn into a typical expat and stop shopping in the markets.  What will we all find to complain of now that Bisto gravy and porky scratchings are available in the International section.  Gosh, they even sold turkeys at Christmas.

Susan, if you want the best Tahina, I'll bring it with me in July!!  We only have the best here, because the majority of the population live on it!!  So I'll bring a few tubs of it in the summer!!

It's practically a staple here.  I always keep it in stock, as I use it as a dip with yogurt (I'll give you the recipe if you want!!) - it's yummmmmmmy!!

I would love that Pitby. It's my birthday in July so that'll be my present.

Susan

Had to go check, but can confirm ours is also Lebanese. Makes wonderful hummus 

 

Rixxy,

I live five minutes away from IKEA here in the Netherlands so that didn't really do it for me. You always want what is not within easy reach. Like dreaming of warm sunny days here in the freezing cold.