what shall I bring you?

when my son from Poland and his cousin from Singapore came over for a family funeral they had to go to a supermarket to look at all the foodstuff they miss living abroad. What other shoppers made of two middle aged men drooling over smoked bacon and sherbet dip dabs I hate to think.

My friend in Canada left here in the sixties - when she visits she stocks up on Green's Carmelle (Crème Caramel powder & syrup). I have occasionally sent her a box full of the packets as a present but always worry that Customs might not believe what the white powder is!

SiL in Canada loves gravy granules so they always go in the luggage. Well wrapped to prevent gravy explosion in the suitcase. Son in Singapore always wants Chai tea mix??? And Lipsyl oddly. Strange people, expats!

When DD and family were away for 3 years it was Branston Pickle we were asked to take.

A couple of friends in Spain always used to ask for some Bramley apples - good job my husband used to drive there.

I have to send regular supplies of marmite to a friend in France. I suspect there are other things she would like, but hesitates to ask for them! Last year I had to take over a whole load of advanced Sudoku books, as she said they only seem to stock the easy ones in shops near her.

Oh yes ! Paxo stuffing and also jelly, cheese, and coffee. Probably loads of other things too. I'm going in February so the 'can you bring' list will probably start soon.

Always clotted cream when we visit our daughters in Ireland. On the last trip we also had to take low calorie cream soda. I always take Mcdougalls thickening granules and Gold blend coffee and Alpen low sugar Meusli. Apart from that they have Aldi and Lidl out there which stock very similar items to UK.

I used to take Px stuffing to DD in Germany.

Any friends coming from the Uk usually get a list, Tea bags always top, Strong Cheddar cheese, Smoked Haddock coming next month to make Cullen Skink for a dinner in the Church and pinhead oatmeal for Cranachan.
DD loves Irn-Bru bars and Prawn Cocktail crisps.

Nappies, milk formula (no longer needed), Mamade (to make jam), stock cubes, tea and lots of other goodies always go to China with me. My clothes for a month go in hand luggage!!

Vimto seems to be popular again my GS loves it! Everytime we have gone abroad we have taken Weetabix for DH and left it behind in our room - the room ladies in Gambia loved it for their children. I understand Marmite is very popular.

My cousin who lived in Italy used to ask us to bring gravy and custard powder, marmite, bacon and kit kats. She and her husband used to drive from Sienna to Lyon every few months to stock up on favourites in M&S

My DD requested Marmite when she was a student in Russia. I don't remember there being any problem taking it in but it was 15 years ago.

I had only a vague recollection of what Vimto was. I've never "experienced" it.
Will you be allowed to take consumables into Poland, jenn?

I didn't know you could still get Vimto