Great Western Coffee Shop

Thanks to Ollie for pointing me in the direction of this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01p4r4w/Live_at_the_Apollo_Series_8_Episode_2/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01p4r4w/Live_at_the_Apollo_Series_8_Episode_2/)

Rhod Gilbert is having a Rant about the cost of a Rail Ticket from Cardiff to London Paddington, The Travelling Chef and Egg and Cress Sandwiches in the Buffet.]

Disclaimer: Fruity Language and as the program has been broadcast you don't need a TV License to watch on iPlayer

In agreement about the fares. The rest is just the usual Rhod Gilbert 'angry man' schtick and needn't be taken seriously.

It is about time however that FGW changed the range of sandwiches. Can we please go back to to more normal sandwiches rather than the arty farty ones currently stocked? I'd rather have ham, cheese and pickle on white bread than ham hock, West Country Cheddar and piccalilli on teeth damagingly crusty granary.

I don't get angry about the range of sandwiches stocked though. I just don't buy them anymore.

I don't care as long as they don't get rid of that Cheese and Onion Panini they now do! ;D ;D ;D ;D (I've been waiting long enough lol)

Have to say though, The options for Veggiesauruses from FGW in the Express Cafe is somewhat lacking. It has improved, but even so it would be nice to see a few more options, particularly on the heated side. When I used to do Taunton - Bath Spa in 2008 on a daily basis and normally catching the 18:00 or 19:00 home. Mushroom Stroganoff (Bit on the spicy side) or Egg and Cress Sandwiches (not so filling as they looked) every day for over a year became incredibly tedious!

Can be the same for most SSP Railway Outlets too. Egg and Cress or Cheese Ploughmans. They do the odd painnis or two but I can never get one! Tomato Soup was a favourite too before they stopped doing it!

In the end I used to break the journey at Bristol and stop in The Knights Templar for tea (Jacket Patato or Sausage (Veggie), Egg and Chips). If I was feeling miserable I used to splash out and have the Veggie Pie with Salad and Roast Potatos ;D All quenched with Tea, Coffee or Lemonade. (Much more recently Appletiser :) )

I appreciate the range for vegetarians is limited, but my recent experience of the 'Artisan bread filled with Cheddar & Caramelised Red Onion' (last hot item available one night returning from London) had me vowing never to buy one again. ^4.20 for this:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_1255.jpg)

Artisan bread my a*** :o

Now I'm beginning to sound like Rhod Gilbert.

Agree ^4.20 seems excessive for what seems to be an awful lot of bread with little filling.

What made it doubly galling was then hearing an announcement about 15 minutes after I'd purchased that monstrosity that the remaining cold sandwiches had been reduced to half price!

I quite often buy the Double Egg and Rocket sandwich - just as well it is double egg as the thing is so full you are in danger of a good part of the filling falling out, the thing is so full!

Are you people always so late for the train you can't get something 'to go' from 'Ali's Kebab' or 'Mabel's Homemade Delicacies', just outside the station (e.g. Praed Street) or perhaps make the sandwiches before leaving home?  The latter are always tastier when having been squashed in the briefcase the whole day.  Also filling a small plastic bottle with a decent Tesco or Lidl red will save you a bob or two.  Actually I jest, I don't mind paying for the little bottles of red as at least I know they can't be messed with.  We live in a packaging world but it does make one feel safer, as long as you don't think too long about what happened before the plastic wrapping was applied.  But think about the cleaners.  We normally put our food wrappings in one of the wrappings (if you can follow this) and dispose of them on the destination platform bin, as we are conscious that they could smell if left in the minuscule waste baskets.

R Gilbert has a nerve, he probably gets all expenses paid I shouldn't wonder.

In my case yes. I was returning from a TV show recording which had overran so I didn't have time to get a kebab, burger, KFC or whatever before boarding. I had also connected from the H&C platforms which further reduced the time available to make my train. Taking a packed lunch to London was hardly practical either.

As for Rhod Gilbert having a nerve. He's an observational comedian and is very likely exaggerating for comic effect. The bones of the story may not even be true. Certainly, Egg & Cress sandwiches haven't been on the FGW buffet menus for some time. As bobm points out, it's now the much more posh sounding Double Egg & Rocket.

RG may well get ex's for TV appearances, but run of the mill gigs and leisure travel are unlikely to be 'all expenses paid.'

I hate kebabs - but more seriously it is not always possible, or desirable, to purchase food before boarding.  If travelling on an unreserved ticket I like to check I actually have a seat before buying any food - rather than risk trying to eat and drink standing up.

It isn't just sandwiches, I don't want to get into carrying thermos flasks so I can have a hot drink.

Despite their limitations I am a great supporter of on train catering - whether it be full sliver service, Travelling Chef or just a hot drink.  If everyone brought their own food with them FGW might be able to put a few more seats on Coach F - but I think the overall result would be a less enjoyable experience.  Use it or lose it as the saying goes....

My sentiments exactly. And as I do use it (although not for the current selection of cold sandwiches - unless it's late evening and they are reduced!) I feel within my rights to complain when service, quality and/or availability isn't up to scratch.

Just over two weeks to go until my next trip on a FGW Pullman. Never had any issues there with service or quality. Perhaps FGW should extend an invite to Rhod Gilbert to show him how on-train catering can be done. Or perhaps reinstate some South Wales Pullmans... :D

Let's hope they are running again by then after the flood damage!   I was planning on going on one the day after tomorrow - but I think I may have to forgo that pleasure.