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A week's a long time in politics. someone said. (Harold Wilson, I think.)

It's nothing compared with a week in hospital, even one with the excellent surgical staff and medical support people that you'll find at the Vincenz Hospital in Mainz.

It's not that the food's that BAD.

It's just that it's institutional catering, without a lot of fresh veges and an utter lack of seasoning or herbs.

This is what I'm going to do when I escape:

I'll get a ripe San Mazano tomato, still warm from the vine, tear up a
buffalo mozzarella into bite-sized pieces, glug some good olive oil over it all with a splash of balsamico from Chateau Canorgue, rip some fresh basil leaves on top with freshly ground pepper and sea salt

Thick slices of freshly baked ciabatta to mop up the plate.

Please excuse me while I go and wipe the saliva from my keyboard…..