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| Mc Donalds ‘Golden Arches’ |
Mc Donalds has been a constant in my life since childhood.
I wouldn’t consider myself a regular by any means but it’s always been there and I have been a fan of the food, I hate to say.
For long car journeys, hungover or more recently at 30 weeks pregnant, a serious and insatiable craving for nuggets. There was nothing more superior in the food realm in my eyes.
As with every Golden Arches in the UK, our local McDonald’s closed its doors on March 23rd and has remained closed to the public until this week, re opening as a drive through only.
Across the country are queues of fans, waiting for their fix and wrapping cardboard boxes around themselves, shuffling through imitating a small motor vehicle.
Did you go today hankering for that quarter pounder with cheese?
I’ll be honest. I didn’t go. I joked to my husband that I would assess based on the cheese melts on offer and what McFlurry was on, but I didn’t. And I don’t think I will for a long time, if ever.
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| The famous interior of a Big Mac |
Something Better, Something Fresher
Since the lockdown and having a child of my own, something has changed.
I don’t really know what has flicked the switch.
It could be the reduction of funds since maternity leave?
It could be seeing the world heal as everyone slowed down and stayed indoors?
It could be that I want something better for my daughter, environmentally and ethically?
It could be that I genuinely enjoy my own cooking more than frozen, imported patties?
It could be that the repeat watches of Morgan Spurlocks’ ‘Supersize Me’ has finally got me running from rather than to the drive through…
Or it could be all of them
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| A big pile of Mc Fries |
72 Days Cold Turkey (Or Beef)
The option hasn’t been there for any of us for just over 2 months. Of course, those that wish to eat fast food have still been given the option to do so. Our local town is no exception. The big guns like Domino’s have increased business and independent fish and chip shops and kebab shops have carried on trading. But we’ve found we can live without.
I have friends who are key workers who have relied for years on their morning muffin and have had the coffee stickers burning a hole in their pockets since early Spring.
But they have found another way.
Being gifted sausage baps from local independent eateries, strangers leaving food parcels for the night shift workers and taking the time to eat with their families when the moment allows.
These are all great things.
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| The most plastic-y of cheese |
So will there be a return of the Mac?
I don’t think so. I haven’t missed it. Granted, I haven’t gone on long car journeys and I haven’t had a hangover from hell. But I like to think this is a new chapter for us as a nation. We don’t need it.
Happy Meals
For my birthday this year, my husband Mark has bought me a picnic basket.
I can’t wait for the lockdown to be over and for us to travel away with sandwiches, pies and a bottle of lemonade. It all sounds a little Enid Blyton doesn’t it?
Or is this what it’s all about?
Laying down on a blanket in the sun on your travels to family or days out and dishing up your home-made treats rather than sitting in your car and unfolding the greasy paper and slushy coke.
I think I know what we’ll be opting for: do you?
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| My perfect post lockdown picnic location at Powis Castle All photos of McDonalds kindly provided by PicMonkey.com |
