Just spent this week learning about work to restore the oysters in the Chesapeake Bay in the US, so this was very timely for me! Unbelievable our water is allowed to get so bad.
I grew up near Chesapeake bay. When I was a kid, we thought the oysters would go and never come back. Crabs too. The work to clean it up has been nothing short of miraculous. Now it’s back to offering the best oysters and tastiest crab on the planet. Maybe we can do the same for the Thames Estuary.
Ah, I couldn't remember if it was your neck of the woods or not! Yeah they've done amazing work so far, I got to tour an oyster hatchery where they're working to repopulate the bay. It had inspired me to go look into similar efforts in the UK, if there are any, and this has only reinforced that.
Well said. And no apology needed. Thames Water is a national scandal and a rancid blot on our reputation. I've not been to The Sportsman but will put it on my (ever growing, thanks to you) list.
I'm with Southern Water which has blighted the Kent coast in recent years. And just to rub salt in the wounds I had my annual bill this week - charges have gone up by £80 per year, which makes that extra £25 per year you mention above feel like, no pun intended, a drop in the ocean. The Sportsman picked up a two-star hygiene rating themselves earlier this year – I imagine they've done a better job of cleaning up their act than Southern Water.
Lovely work and nothing to be apologetic about up top. Dining well increasingly means knowing about or being sensitized to ingredient provenance and our impact on those ingredients. I found it relevant and fascinating. I also shared it with two friends. Net, more of the same!
Just spent this week learning about work to restore the oysters in the Chesapeake Bay in the US, so this was very timely for me! Unbelievable our water is allowed to get so bad.
I grew up near Chesapeake bay. When I was a kid, we thought the oysters would go and never come back. Crabs too. The work to clean it up has been nothing short of miraculous. Now it’s back to offering the best oysters and tastiest crab on the planet. Maybe we can do the same for the Thames Estuary.
Ah, I couldn't remember if it was your neck of the woods or not! Yeah they've done amazing work so far, I got to tour an oyster hatchery where they're working to repopulate the bay. It had inspired me to go look into similar efforts in the UK, if there are any, and this has only reinforced that.
Well said. And no apology needed. Thames Water is a national scandal and a rancid blot on our reputation. I've not been to The Sportsman but will put it on my (ever growing, thanks to you) list.
Thanks for the kind words, Nick. The Sportsman is definitely worth the trip.
The best value restaurant I’ve ever been to in the UK. Excellent.
Strongly agree. Great food at reasonable prices, and an excellent experience.
I'm with Southern Water which has blighted the Kent coast in recent years. And just to rub salt in the wounds I had my annual bill this week - charges have gone up by £80 per year, which makes that extra £25 per year you mention above feel like, no pun intended, a drop in the ocean. The Sportsman picked up a two-star hygiene rating themselves earlier this year – I imagine they've done a better job of cleaning up their act than Southern Water.
Agreed on all counts!
Lovely work and nothing to be apologetic about up top. Dining well increasingly means knowing about or being sensitized to ingredient provenance and our impact on those ingredients. I found it relevant and fascinating. I also shared it with two friends. Net, more of the same!
Thanks Liam. I’m grateful for the encouraging words.
He’s a machine