Well, it’s that time of year again. Yes, it’s the time of year to ask ones co-workers (the ones who bother dressing up anyway) to stand a moment and pose with the Sauce in front of the camera. Thanks Office Trainee!

Now here’s a thought that only occurred to me just now - dress myself up as a bottle of HP for Halloween and hand out little HP Sauce packets to the kiddies! As I see it, an idea like that only poses two problems. First, how to convince the wife to stitch me up an HP Sauce bottle costume, and second - where to find a source for wee HP Sauce packets. If anyone knows where to buy these, please let me know. It’s something to work on for next year’s Halloween! I wonder if anyone has ever done this before? lol

As a side note, I discovered this weekend that someone has used some images from the gallery in an attempt to sell English Favourite HP Brown sauce, just delicious!!” on eBay. I typically don’t mind if people use the gallery images, but if you’re going to stand to profit as a result of using them, I do ask that you at least credit www.brownsauce.org as the source. Hardly unfair is it?

This past weekend, my family and I traveled west to Alberta where we met up with extended family members - some of whom we hadn’t seen in a year or two. Upon our arrival, the usual small talk ensues and before long someone invariably asks “Does Brad want a coffee?”. This question has followed me there from the time I was 14 years old, for that was the year my extended family discovered my affection for the stuff. I must have either made quite a deal of it at the time, or Albertans simply aren’t used to 14 year olds drinking coffee. And now, what seems like a lifetime later, I’m still asked that question whenever we stop in at my Aunt & Uncles house. That is, until next year.

This was the year that my extended family learned that I’ve given up caffeine. And while this news on it’s own might change the question in the next foreseeable future to “Does Brad want a decaf coffee?”. I do have the feeling now that it’ll be overshadowed with questions regarding HP Sauce!

It wasn’t long into our visit when someone (not I!) started to talk about the website and how I have a gallery posted with people posing with bottles of HP Sauce from all over the world. My conversation topic of choice was now set for the weekend. I found myself explaining the how’s and whys of the site to everyone who asked.

During one such explanation, my aunt immediately exclaimed “I like HP on eggs!”. And so the conversation ebbed and flowed, describing every-ones food of choice to use with “our” favourite sauce.
I also explained how interesting I thought it was that we all take this sauce for granted - it’s always just been in the fridge, yet it’s probably the most anonymous, forgotten item in it! “It’s not in my fridge!” my brother said. “Don’t you like HP Sauce too?” asked my aunt. “No.” he replied with arms crossed “I even had to go to the store to take a picture for his website!”. At least he saw the humour in it to take a picture with it, even if he won’t even try the stuff! Besides, one can always count on at least a couple sour grapes during these visits. Still, I asked my aunt for a picture of her eating those eggs smothered in HP next time she had them! lol

This trip also afforded me the luxury of reading “The Road from Aston Cross” that I’ve been on about lately. There are a lot of items of interest which will populate the history section quite nicely; once I’m afforded the time to do so of course. I was surprised to learn that Canada was one of if not the first country to which HP Sauce was exported to. Or, did you know that HP Sauce was used to spice up mystery meat fed to the troops during the First World War? Neither did I.

If you’ve visited the site at all in the last week or so, you’ve probably Adham’s (luffly) mug replaced with all sorts of odd (site) behaviour with the occasional “site down for maintenance” message thrown in for good measure. While odd behaviour around here in itself isn’t unusual, what was noteworthy was the sites’ server experienced a hard disk crash late last Friday evening, bringing the site down with it! Ahh the joys of running a website from ones laundry room on a computer built from spare parts. Needless to say, the laundry room saw more than it’s fair share of activity this past week and in the end I was able to restore the site. It’s almost a pitty really, I was actually starting to get comfortable in there.

Pre-crash, I had written a small article regarding a book I’d purchased recently online. “Bob”, my ever enthusiastic co-worker had spotted it while googling HP recently (aww bless ‘im) and knowing my weakness for the subject, he ever so subtly prompted me to place an order for it and it’s a good thing I did.

The book, published in 1985, is entitled “The True Story of H.P. Sauce”. Like the book “The Road From Aston Cross” (published by HP Foods), the history of HP Sauce is documented in detail. There are also many illustrations and photographs of HP Sauce adverts etc going back many years. What really caught my eye however, is a songsheet entitled “LA SAUCE HP” on the first and last pages. Up until Adham submitted his enthusiastic rendition of “Brownsauce Obessession“, I’d never heard of, much less seen a song published about HP Sauce before. What’s also curious is - the song is in French. I have read that HP Sauce was exported to France at one time, though I’ve no idea if it still is. Perhaps the book will provide some insight into the origins of this song. It looks to be a good read - which I plan on doing a lot of this upcoming weekend!

The Road from Aston CrossThis past week my wife and I decided to finally replace the aging and cat abused carpet in the basement. So one evening we decided to go out and do some carpet shopping. Getting out the door was as crazy as always - and getting our 5 year old ready is always an adventure in itself. Just as we’re leaving, I check to make sure I have everything. Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. “Should I bring the camera? Where’s the camera?” I mutter. “Oh give over. ” My wife laughs “Can’t you be normal for once?”. “Oh come on.” I reply reluctantly as I close and lock the door.

Yes, I had HP on the brain - even more than usual as well. That day a book that I’d ordered some time ago from amazon.co.uk had finally arrived. The book, entitled “The Road from Aston Cross - An Industrial History 1875-1975″ was published in 1975 by HP Foods to commemorate their 100th anniversary. In it, the complete history of HP Sauce and it’s founders along with many illustrations and period photographs is layed out and described in detail. This book will indeed prove very valuable as a “source of all knowledge” for the upcoming update to the History section. I’m really looking forward to this. No more taking our brown sauce for granted kids! It’s time to learn the story behind the sauce.

Back to the carpet shopping, it ocurred to me just how odd it was to be sat there in the car, considering different types & styles of carpet while also pondering the origins of HP Sauce in the same thought! That’s just too bizarre.