It Was Diana's Day Off,

so out we went,

 there were two places that we were going to, 

 so to Beckenham Junction for the London Bridge train, 

 the day started out bright,

 but as we neared London,

 it really started to cloud over,

 just as  was about to take a photograph of Tower Bridge, along came a train,

 nearly there,

 here we are in the newly completed shopping concourse,

 it looks so nice, and as it happens there was a Nespresso shop there, one thing we wanted but had not ordered yet, was a calcium cleaning kit for our machine, so we bought 2 as we were here, as an aside before anyone comments on our choice of machine and George Clooney advertising the coffee for it,

Nespresso inclusion on Dispatches on Channel 4

On Monday 2nd March 2020, the UK documentary series, Dispatches, is airing a programme focused on child labour. Nespresso and George Clooney will be featured or referred to in this programme. Dispatches has informed Nespresso and George Clooney that they have reports and footage of children working on a small number of Rainforest Alliance certified farms in Guatemala.

Dispatches has not provided the information we require to identify the incriminated farms and to confirm whether they supply Nespresso. However, we have launched our own comprehensive immediate investigation on the ground, which includes taking decisive action.

This is an issue that Nespresso takes very seriously. We have a zero tolerance to child labour and, where there are claims that our high standards are not met, we act immediately.

To read our full response to the investigation by Channel 4, and the actions we are taking to protect against the causes of child labour. 

To read our full response to the investigation by Channel 4, and the actions we are taking to protect against the causes of child labour. 

what an appalling situation, full marks to Nespresso, trying to get to the bottom of this disturbing report, but it has to be said, what a complete lot of bubbling fools the Dispatches team must be, making accusations like this and not giving Nespresso all, or indeed any of the facts they have already uncovered, it is almost as if Dispatches does not want the company to find the truth, hopefully George and Nespressos are in not involved, if they are I am sure they put an end to this practice, and if they are not, hopefully a huge lawsuit against Dispatches will follow, for the full statement, have a look here, it is in fact an interesting read as Nestle pays premiums for coffee grown as part of the AAA Program, farmers in this region receive around $11 per bag of green coffee, additionally, they receive $7 per bag as an additional premium for their coffee as it is Rainforest Alliance certified,

 back to our trip, 

 work still continuing on the building next door to the Shard,

 which towers above the landscape,

 a short walk later and here we are, at Borough Market, Diana with the Nespresso bag and our cleaning kits, 

 just inside the entrance to the market there was a display of local people on boards,

 now time to look at the stalls,

 as we entered mainly ones selling cheese, fudge, 

 and bread,

 I would still eat bacon!

 hot mushrooms for sale,

 and a huge collection,

 of fresh ones,

 and so many varieties to choose from,

 this chap caught my attention, a huge monkfish, (Lophius piscatorius),

 placed beside a mouth watering display of lobsters and smoked fish,

 the normal fast food section had gone, 

 and a new seating section installed,

 the fast food section had been moved to a new area,

 and here they were,

 salted beef, one of my favorites here,

 many of the stalls new,

 we went back to our old favorites, passing some of the cured meat shops,

 Diana's favorite, seafood paella, 

 this my choice for breakfast,

 a pot of whelks,

 Diana had bought her breakfast,

yes the seafood paella,

 and this was the start of mine, we moved to an area to eat, where we would, like many others, not be in the way,

 when I noticed this stall,

 selling wild hog and venison,

 so venison stew it was then, 

 it also came with a slice of freshly baked bread, 

 delicious!

 meal over, we went in hope to buy some more chestnuts,

 but alas there are only available around Christmas,

 I could not help noticing the large variety of oranges for sale,

 there it was, 

 the agony of choice, white or rose,

 lots of other tipples on offer,

 decision made, rose and nice it was too, 

'Cheers!',

 we continued our walk around,

 so many foods to tempt us,

 and we did weaken,

 3 large trays of strawberries for £5.00,

 so much fresh produce is here,

 strawberries were also being sold in these cute wooden boxes, but looking at the price, I think you are paying more for the box than the strawberries!

 all of the displays looking so nice,

 we found ourselves back in the cheese section,

 and what a selection,

 and take note, 

 do not touch the saucissons!

 the truffles still comaning high prices, at £175.00 per 100 grams,

 we nearly bought a few of these,

 but the freezer is still too full from our last shop at Costco, 

 back out of the market, 

 and to the front of the taxi rank, 

 for the next part of our visit to London,

 rather than take two tubes,

 we decided to spoil ourselves,  

and even took a selfie, 

 across the bridge,

 and past St.Pauls,

 we soon found ourselves in Chinatown,

 a few days ago Diana had telephoned Mamasons, and ordered some Filipino pastry dishes, so here we are to pick them up, next stop Victoria station,

 after arriving in Beckenham I popped over to Marks and Spencers for some cream and meringue and joined Diana who was waiting for me in O'Neil's for a quick couple, well all of that walking is very dehydrating!

we passed Foxgrove Lodge, 

 and noticed these miniature daffodils in the front garden,  

 it was soon time for our evening meal, my before meal sherry, followed by a red wine,

 for this evening, gammon ham, eggs and chips, 

 'Cheers!',

 for dessert some of the huge strawberries we had bought today at the market, 

 and they were tasty as well,

someone had to finish the cream, it just happen it as me! we watched a couple of Doctor Blake Mysteries,

 late in the evening it was time for Riddick to finish our evening, I am only making this one post today as it seems to have taken so long, and with that we were off to bed.