Monday, 1 June 2026

Pukka Sahib

Mrs Rogers cooks dinner for guests (And Then There Were None - 2015)

Lobster soufflé
Roast beef
Dessert
Cheese
Coffee



Emily Brent gives Mrs Roberts some 'advice' (And The There Were None - 2015)

In future, a splash of eau de cologne before you come upstairs to attend on the ladies. I appreciate it's hot working in the kitchen, but there's no need to announce it quite so emphatically.



Rachel Argyll addresses the posture of her adopted daughter Hester whilst Hester was playing the piano (Ordeal by Innocence - 2018)

If you're going to be mediocre, at least be pretty.



Hercule Poirot reassuring Christine Redfern (Evil Under the Sun - 1982)

The Arlena Stuart's of this world do not count. Their domination is of the moment. Really, to count, a woman must have either goodness or brains.



Hercule Poirot referring to people who spend all their holiday sunbathing (Evil Under the Sun - 1982)

Look at them lying in rows, like corpses in the morgue! They are not men and women. Nothing personal about them. They are just bodies, butchers meat, steaks grilling in the sun.



Marie Van Schuyler questions Hercule Poirot (Death on the Nile - 1978)

Why are you looking at me in that too-familiar continental way?



Princess Dragomiroff's food/drink request (Murder on the Orient Express - 1974)

Poached sole with one new potato and a small green salad, no dressing.

Russian tea.



Mr Ratchett's routine (Murder on the Orient Express - 1974)

21:40: Valerian drops
10:00: Amber Moon cocktail pick me up/breakfast



Agatha Christie's Poirot TV series 1989-2013

Stewed peaches with bacon and fried potatoes.

Merely because a man does not offer you a drink does not necessarily make him guilty of other crimes.

Look at it. Not a building in sight. Not a restaurant, not a theatre, not an art gallery. A wasteland. This is not the country. The country is full of trees and flowers and public houses. This is a desert (whilst travelling to the Lake District).

Views are very nice but they should be painted for us so that we may study them in the warmth and comfort of our own homes (referring to the Lake District).

No, this sort of air is intended for birds and little furry things. The lungs of Hercule Poirot demands something more substantial. The good air of the town (complaining about the Lake District air).

(S1:E1)


The turned-down collar is the first symptom of decay of the grey cells.
(S1:E2)


Why Poirot does not want to travel to London by car: the train has the advantage over the car - he does not often run out of coal.
(S1:E3)


Poirot's mother's recipe: rabbit cooked in the style of Liège.

Surrealist painting below: Man Throwing a Stone at a Bird


(S1:E4)


Poirot is as magnanimus in defeat as he is modest in victory.
(S1:E5)


Drinks order: pink gin x 2, whisky and soda x 2, Sidecar cocktail, gin and ginger beer.
(S1:E6)


Life first. Filing second.
(S1:E8)


To say that Benedict Farley makes pies is like saying that Wagner wrote semi-quavers.

Two reasons why Poirot thinks he would never be able to become a millionaire: first, he would never make the detestable pork pies and second, he is too understanding towards his employees.
(S1:E10)


You have so strongly the flair in the wrong direction.
(S2:E1)


Most of us are selfish. Not a lot of us admit it so freely.

Poirot's iChing reading: Modesty. Superior man carries things through without vanity. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose him. The man in the scarlet knee bands is coming.
(S2:E5)


I did not achieve true facial symmetry until I grew a moustache.

Hastings' food choice in an attempt to shake up the old grey cells: fish soup and haddock.

Chief Inspector James Japp mentions Poirot whilst giving a lecture to the Whitcombe Womens Institute: Hercule Poirot has one of the most original minds of the 20th century. Intelligent. Brave. Sensitive. Devastatingly quick. Hercule Poirot stands head and shoulders above any other detective of my considerable experience.
(S2:E7)


A haircut is a partnership. It is a joint venture. I bring to it, my hair. You, your undoubted skills.
(S2:E10)


In this country, we are the guests. If we are to gain the confidence of the natives, we must learn their ways.

I cannot yet bring myself to enjoy the English public house. All those bottles of the different size, all in the wrong order.
(S3:E1)


Miss Amelia Barrowby's last dinner: 
Artichoke soup served from a tureen
Fish pie
Apple tart
(S3:E2)


Miss Lemon: Difficulties are made to be overcome.
(S3:E4)


The open air, it should be closed during the summer!
(S3:E5)


Poirot complains about the accommodation: The duck feather pillows, it feels as if the ducks are still inside them.

Poirot works out the perfect conclusion to inn keeper Samuel Naughton's fictional murder mystery story: The Killer is the explorer who is bedridden. He fires into the fruitcake a poison dart from his window upstairs.
(S3:E6)


Why marriage is not for Poirot: In my experience, I have known of five cases of women murdered by their devoted husbands. And 22 husbands murdered by their devoted wives.

Poirot resided in the village of Styles St Mary, England as a refugee after fleeing Belgium during the first world war.

Crime: is Poirot's raison d'etre, his life is ruled by it, and it brought him and Countess Vera Rossakoff together. The Countess is the first and probably only woman whom Poirot is taken by. He described her as the most remarkable and the most unique woman he has ever met.
(S3:E7)


One of Poirot's favourite beverages: Tisane with three spoons of sugar.
(S3:E8)


Poirot's perfect Christmas: a week of peace and repose with his books and radio (without Hastings and Lemon) and a demi-kilo of excellent handmade chocolates from Dupres as well as the warmth from his radiators.

Lucullian fare.

Order of the Golden Snake bestowed by Prince Farouk of Egypt.
(S3:E9)


Hercule Poirot does not wear costumes!
English As She Should Be Spoken.
(S3:E10)


Ah, a log fire. One of the better traditions of the English.
Tetras a l'hongroise.
Blackberry tea.
(S3:E11)


Poirot's flat: 56B Whitehaven Mansions, Sandhurst Square, London, W1.

A characteristic Poirot dislikes more than any other: Self-importance.
(S4:E1)


It is interesting is it not that the British regard tennis as their own invention and any tennis trophies as rightfully theirs? When the truth is, it was a French game originally. 'Jeu de Paume'. 11th century.
(S4:E2)


Chief Inspector Japp lives in Isleworth.
Poirot describes himself as methodical, orderly and logical.
(S4:E3)


Captain Hastings orders breakfast in New York: 
Tea, porridge, two eggs sunny side up and Canadian bacon.

Playing the good golf is no reason to not commit suicide.
(S5:E1)


What Hastings classes as a decent English breakfast: 
Porridge, two eggs, sausages, bacon, tomato, toast with marmalade, and a pot of tea.

Poirot's reaction to English cuisine: 
The English, they do not have a cuisine, they have only the food. Like the meat, overcooked. The vegetables, too soft. The cheese, inedible. And the day the English create their own wine is the day I return to Belgium.

Hastings introduces Poirot to takeaway fish and chips from R. C. Saunders: 
When it is cold and dark and there is nothing else to eat, it is...passable...
(S5:E3)


Flat 10's dinner ordered by Count Foscatini:
Soup julienne
Filet de sole Normande
Tournedos of beef
Rice souffle 
(S5:E5)


Poirot is described by a Belgian newspaper editor as: 
"A spark in the otherwise dull embers of the police force."

St Alard Maitre Chocolatier, Bruxelles.

Chief Inspector James Harold Japp was proclaimed a Compagnon de la Branche d'Or.

Virginie Mesnard gifted Poirot with a lapel pin.
(S5:E6)


Lot 22: An Edgar Brandt wrought iron wall mirror and console table.
(S5:E7)


Poirot's meal on the train to Gorston Hall:
Brown Windsor soup
Irish saddle of lamb 

Europeans do not figure too badly in the arts of violence.

Japp offers to buy Poirot a drink:
Dry white wine, Muscadet 
(S6:E1)


Poirot cooks dinner for Japp whilst Mrs Japp is away:
Assiette aux saveurs, his mother's specialty when Poirot was a student.

Rucksacks:
The Imperial (deluxe model) - sturdy but light.
Standard UK (most popular model) - good and stout and will stand a lot of wear and it's half the price of the Imperial.

Poirot's preferred dinner time is 7:30pm.

Miss Lemon cooks dinner for Japp:
Filet of sole poached in milk, with boiled vegetables.

Japp cooks for Poirot:
Mashed potatoes, mushy peas and faggots.
Spotted dick.
(S6:E2)


What Poirot thinks of golf:
To hit the little ball into the little hole in the middle of a large open field, is not to the taste of Poirot.
(S6:E3)


Bob (Robert Arundel), the fox terrier.
(S6:E5)


Poirot retires temporarily in Kings Abbott.
(S7:E1)


A dish that Poirot discovered during his brief retirement: Une tourte de filet de beouf aux rognons (a pudding of the steak with the kidneys).
(S7:E2)


There was one thing that the killer did not expect - the mind of Hercule Poirot.
(S8:E1)


Human nature has an infinite capacity to surprise.
(S9:E1)


Sandwich pastes: 
Salmon
Crab and shrimp
Ham and tongue

You see before you a miserable animal who has been a triple imbecile. I am 36 times the idiot.
(S9:E2)


Mother: Isn't that Hercule Poirot? 
Son: You mean that dwarfish creature mincing down the stairs?

Would you like to trip the light fantastic avec moi?
(S9:E3)


The paysage is most agreeable. Except that the trees have an untidy habit of dropping their leaves.

Sometimes the fastest car is not fast enough. Not when it races against the brain.
(S9:E4)


Five to one? That is a calculation I cannot support. Because the numbers they are odd, and I prefer them to be even.

All French hotels are intolerable, especially the expensive ones.

I was in bed. All night. If you seek corroboration, interrogate my pillow.
(S10:E1)


It is true I have a thoroughly bourgeois attitude to murder.

Were I only to dine in houses where I approved of my host, I wouldn't eat out much, I'm afraid.

The contents of Shaitana's drawing room where bridge was played:
~ Large settee upholstered in gold damask brocade
~ Four or five large chairs
~ Several Persian rugs (Hamadan and Tabriz)
~ A pair of carved French consul tables
~ A beautiful Chinese cabinet
~ A case of Egyptian jewellery 
~ Grand piano
~ Some Japanese ivory Netsuke on a table
~ Some Meissen monkey figures
~ One or two pieces of Battersea enamel

Mrs Oliver: Have you redecorated?
Poirot: No madame I have moved.
(S10:E2)


Timothy and Maude Abernethie's dinner:
Clear soup
Sole
Lemon syllabub 

Miss Gilchrist and Miss Henderson's meal:
Macaroni au gratin 
Custard pudding
Coffee 

What Timothy Abernethie wants as keepsakes from Endersley House:
~ The green Malachite table in the drawing room
~ The Spode dessert service
(S10:E3)


Jeremy Cloade orders dinner for Poirot:
Beef, well done
Spotted dick and custard
House red

What marvellously square furniture you have.
Not a curve in the place.

This whole case, it is entirely the wrong shape. And above all else the dead man, he is also wrong. Enoch Arden, not even an anagram.
(S10:E4)


Do you know what is the biggest problem of my life? 
An abundance of leisure.

What charlady Mrs McGinty had for her supper at half six: bread, kipper and margarine.

Words cannot describe to you the fluid they serve to you as coffee.

I'm afraid that your female intuition it has taken the day off.
(S11:E1)


Meadowbank Independent School for Girls
Church Lane
Didcote
West Sussex

Poirot declines the offer of Amontillado from Honoria Bulstrode: Not for me thank you. The Spanish wine and the digestion of Poirot are not on the terms most friendly.

There does not need to be present a crime for the investigator to thrive.

This place, so full of the promise of youth. The future of the nation. And yet, how lonely and silent are its corridors at night.

Clammed up like a Scotsman's wallet.
(S11:E2)


What Mrs Oliver ordered at the Merry Shamrock Cafe:
Bath bun and a cup of coffee.
(S11:E3)


Poirot prefers sherry over cocktail and a thousand times over the whisky.

Frightfully strange family names: 
Shovepenny
Sticklebucket
Mug

He was always wet. He wore sandals.

Happy Families characters:
~ Master Bun, the Baker's son
~ Mr Grits the Grocer
~ Mrs Mug, the Milkman's wife
(S12:E1)


Poirot refuses to wear buckskin shoes with rubber soles in the country and perseveres with his patent leather shoes even though his feet are in pain.
(S12:E2)


Madame Hubbard: I would have ripped the bastards heart out. Pardon my French.
Poirot: It is indeed a French word.
(S12:E3)


Miss Martindale was the private secretary for Garry Gregson:
Bachelors in Peril
The Train at the Station
(S12:E4)


In this part of the world, one either hunts or one has affairs.

What Miss McDermott claims to have had for dinner: 
Sardines on toast.
(S13:E1)


I think Poirot has the wrong kind of morality for the work ( journalism).

James Japp promoted to Assistant Commissioner.

Flat 203 Whitehaven Mansions.
(S13:E2)


Michael Weyman described Lady Stubbs as:
Ornamental. Like a trefoil or a crocket. Pretty but useless.
(S13:E3)


"All the beginnings at delightful
The threshold is the place to pause"

Poirot is reunited with Countess Rossakoff in Switzerland.

Countess Rossakoff gifts Poirot a pair of cufflinks that were once worn by her father when they fled Petersburg.

Dr Lutz: Why do you insist on referring to yourself in the third person? It is intensely irritating.
Poirot: Because, Dr Lutz, it helps Poirot achieve a healthy distance from his genius.

I shall find you.
I shall not hide.
(S13:E4)


Selfishness is not the monopoly of the old.

The draughts will be the death of us all. But I have just the thing. The hot chocolate. It nourishes the nerves.
(S13:E5)


===

Sous Vide

Manners are the guiding principles of putting people at their ease, of not embarrassing others and of generally putting yourself second.

Good manners are selfless, not selfish.

Every situation involves a code of behaviour, whether people like it or not.

Etiquette evolves and changes rather than being frozen in a bygone era.

Where it was once about gaining skills to catch a husband or preparing to inherit the family seat, today etiquette helps us progress at work, make friends from all walks of life and simply become a kind, compassionate person whom others want to be around.

If polite conversation was an Olympic sport, Team GB would trounce every other nation.

It is still social suicide to ask what someone does for work as the first question. If you are at some professional networking event, then fair enough - your career has taken you there.

The big five topics remain taboo for small talk: sex, politics, money, health and religion.

Gravy is always marked and never poured, even if the gravy boat has a spout. That is for the ladle to rest. The gravy is ladled over the meat and nowhere else.





* Extracts from Just Good Manners written by William Hanson *

The Abridged Version of Astrophysics

The Domestic Goblin read Neil deGrasse Tyson's 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' so you don't have to

The parts the DG understood

We are stardust brought to life, then empowered by the universe to figure itself out - and we have only just begun.

Among all constants, the speed of light is the most famous. No matter how fast you go, you will never overtake a beam of light.

We cannot see, touch or taste  the source of 85% of the gravity we measure in the universe. This mysterious dark matter which remian undetected except for it's gravitational pull on natter we see, may be compised of exotic particles that we have yet to discover or identify.

Dark matter is our frenemy. We have no clue what it is. It's kind of annoying. But desperately need it in our calculations to arrive at an accurate description of the universe. Scientists are generally uncomfortable whenever we must base our calculations on concepts we don't understand, but we'll do it if we have to. 

As we've known from the beginning, dark matter does indeed exert gravity, to which ordinary matter responds. But that's it. After all these years, we haven't discovered it doing anything else. For now, we must remain content to carry dark matter along as a strange, invisible friend, invoking it where and when the universe require it of us.


===