The best of British luck to all ye who enter here

After my in-depth and extremely well-written preview of The British Isles Show, I was lucky enough to be granted a free ticket, so — disclaimer — I was here today on somebody else’s coin. Thank you to the organizers!

Unfortunately getting there just slightly too late for a pint with the tousle-haired Marc Baylis, alias “Rob Donovan” from Coronation Street, I was met by the pleasing sounds of the Wallace-Symington Highland Dancers doing their stuff on the main stage at the end of the hall.

This is not them:

Large burly, hairy men wearing shades and prancing around in tartan skirts? Box ticked

It was lunchtime, so — having had The Feisty Jack fare before — made a beeline through the throngs of British pensioners straight for their food truck. VERY EXCITED to see the TFJ Chicken Tikka Box was one of the menu items, so went for that. Delish!

Tikka Masala-marinated chicken, fried onion, cucumber mint raita, chili sauce, cilantro, lime zest on Yukon Gold fries. You can’t go wrong, really

After lunch I headed to the pub for a quick looksie and checked out the range of craft beers. Hobgoblin, a Banana Bread Beer and a Double Chocolate Stout were on offer as some of the choices.

All very civilized. Not a Chelsea Headhunter in sight

Wandered around the rest of the show and picked up a Spurs calendar and keyring. Some items were totally cheeky British humour … such as Carry On films.

Carry On films … always good for a laugh. Bit cheeky though

Time to get some culture. Bumped into the Downton Abbey Fan Club lady who politely posed for a photo, and told us about The Crown and Crumpet Tea Room where they hold a lot of events.

Not a time traveller, no. A member of the Downton Abbey Fan Club

Some of the Downton Abbey clothes were then displayed in a fashion show on the main stage:

Come on, Vogue, Vogue … let your corset-constrained body move to the music. Vogue!

Heading away from the cheery British chatter going on around me, just had time to stroll along and grab a Corrie T-shirt.

A very subtle and sublime play on words

Alas, my day at The British Isles Show had wound to its weary end. It was great fun, there’s LOADS of British goods on offer and things to be entertained by.

The show’s on till November 17 so still time to check it out and grab yourself some Spotted Dick.