Tuesday 6 October 2009

Marmite

Don't give me cake mum,
Don't give me scone,
All I want's a piece of bread with Marmite on.

Spread it on thinly,
It doesn't take a lot,
There's so much flavour in the Marmite pot.

A small poem I remember from a childhood book given to my by my Uncle Peter. I bounced around the kitchen this morning thickly spreading this black gold on my toast over a layer of butter with this poem running through my head.

I can be so generous with my spreading because Rau bought me a jar when she was in London last week. Apparently the NZ shop there has a good supply, must visit soon. She also managed somehow to get me some Lady Gray tea and a big box of liquorice all sorts. We munched these together over a bottle of Mt Difficulty pino gris, a good mix of flavors.

Work is taking up most of my time at the moment, just how it is with a new job. Unfortunately it's taking most of my sleeping time along with my waking time. I've got a NZ friend Kelly here tonight, can't wait to show her the sights and take her to Eddie's birthday celebrations so she can meet some of my friends. Right, enough procrastinating........hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go!

3 comments:

Maggie Hall said...

Jule, with your interest in Marmite you'll be (I hope) interested in the book just out: The Mish-Mash Dictionary of Marmite: an anecdotal A-Z of 'Tar-in-a-Jar'. This is an unashamed plug for the book - as I am the author! I love the poem you remember from childhood. Would make a nice 'entry' for the second edition...will be in touch.
Maggie Hall.

Jule's Short Story said...

Thanks for your comment Maggie. I'm renowned for my dependence on marmite, NZ Sanitarium marmite!
I'd love to read your book, sounds like just my kind of A-Z.
The book that poem is in is stored somewhere in a box in NZ. It was written in 1935 and it was my uncles before he gave it me. It has other such kiwi beauties. It's well loved so in poor repair.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.

Maggie Hall said...

Jule, sorry it's taken me so long to reply - on the road promoting the book. There's an 'entry' for Sanitarium. The back-story to YOUR Marmite is fascinating. The book is available from Fishpond and Whitcoull's. And, as I said, your Uncle's poem sounds perfect material for the second edition. Though shouldn't get ahead of myself...all the best,Maggie.