I'd forgotten how much I like these!

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A while ago Big One said she wanted to try different kinds of cheeses and crackers, so when I was shopping recently I picked up a packet of water biscuits. These crackers are just made from flour and water and are derived from ships biscuits, so really it’s hard to think of anything more plain, and yet I really like them. In fact I had forgotten quite how much I like them until I opened the packet! Things like this remind me of Bill Bryson’s book, ‘Notes from a Small Island’, in which he, an American exploring Britain, muses on how Brits are happy with relatively plain things like scones whereas Americans wouldn’t want anything less than something like a giant triple chocolate muffin with extra frosting. Mr Bryson reports in his book that he started to adopt this same viewpoint: “Gradually I came round to their way of thinking and my life has never been happier. I remember finding myself sitting in damp clothes in a cold cafe on a dreary seaside promenade and being presented with a cup of tea and a teacake and going 'Ooh, lovely!', and I knew then that the process had started.” Obviously I’m a true Brit. I love a fresh scone, while inches of frosting make me feel sick. A few water biscuits, each with a smear of Stilton cheese and a few grapes on the side makes a most excellent lunch! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2026.