i dont understand gravy granuels galaxy chococlate or marmite as they are ready available here?..and the english version too.

Most of the things we bring back are readily available.

But none of us like paying twice the price for them, so we rack up our visa bills and fill our suitcases full of them and think we've got a bargain.

I mean, if I was that desperate for Minstrels I would go and buy some - but then sometimes they taste bitter 'cos I've just forked out a fortune for a few silly choccies. But if I bring a huge family bag back from the UK which cost me 2 pounds, they taste wonderful

Oh yes, forgot about the bras. The Mrs was very pleased to have purchased six bras for 150 quid. Apparently they would have cost hundreds of CAD$. A well fitting bra makes for a happy wife which is all good for me.

Cadbury's Dairymilk
Galaxy
Minstrels
Fruit Pastels
TCP
Tesco squash
Waitrose extra strong tea bags
Hello magazine

Never under-estimate the trauma that is bra shopping

Nothing English is readily available where I live (other than Marmite, which I don't bring back for that reason). And the only gravy granules I've seen in import shops (2 hours drive away from me) are the Bisto ones, NOT the Bisto Best which are, well, the best. Obviously.

I'm heading south of the border soon to stock up on underwires and cantilever construction.

What happened to the liberation of 1970s? I thought you all had burnt them?

Flippin heck - how on earth did you get those back in one piece? I can only assume in your hand luggage, as our luggage has been totally shredded between Manchester and Vancouver every time. I put a photo frame in my OHs case this time - right in the middle, surrounded by clothes to cushion any blows and it still came out with the glass broken.

You must have known a lot of flat-chested women
No bra just doesn't cut it for a DD.

You see those 65 year olds with their boobs lurking round their waists?? A reminder of what happens when you burn your bra.

Sounds like an episode of Sex and the City. All they really need to do is go down the local cafe and talk total bollox to each other for a hour.

The Denby went in the case in the hold. Lots of bubble wrap and careful packing. 100% success rate even including the jug which I was slightly dubious about. We brought back a reasonable amount which would have cost a fortune at The Bay so it was worth taking a bit of a risk. I wish we had brought back the teapot as well as the one we have here is useless and dribbles so if anyone has a recomendation for where you can get a decent teapot in Canada.....................

Polo mints...

I am heading back (this is my second trip home) in early November for a good old catchup with rellies and friends yayyyyy . I will be taking over 5 birthday gifts, Christmas gifts and all my UK Christmas cards

I will be bringing back with me some:

Galaxy Minstrels
Bisto Gravy Granules
Dried Scotch Broth Mix
More chocolate (for Christmas stockings)
Anything else that tempts me

I wish I could take back some Merchant Gourmet Sunblush Tomatoes but they are from the chiller cabinet

I will be clothes shopping, Christmas shopping, plus stocking up on British comedy DVDs. On the way home I'll pick up some duty goodies - don't know where I am going to fit it all

This trip is going to be fun, exhausting and no doubt expensive