Biffage

Noun

Definition: to be full of food

Origin - unknown, but linked to the imagination of Ed Clements

Examples: My stomach was so full I was suffering from biffage. There was a certain amount of biffage around the table.

Today we suffered from serious 'biffage'. It was never part of the plan, not that we have ever really had plans for 7 months or so, but after a pleasant morning watching 10 classes perform on stage at the Hildesheim Waldorf School, we followed Renate's advice and found the Pfannkuchenhaus in Hildesheim. The 'pancake' house was brilliant in its quirkiness. It was more like having your lunch in a part of the Beamish village museum. So we sat down, digested the menu and did some good guessing of the options (we are moderately accomplished at guessing menus now) and placed our orders. Rapidly, our pancakes arrived within 10 mins or so, allowing us only a short time to deliberate over the heaving walls of paintings and artefacts. The disappointing plate arrived though. It wasn't massive. I somehow think if you pay for food, it should be returned to you in volume. I will never make Masterchef I feel, I am quite an uncouth diner. So, onwards we began with knife and fork in hand. My choice of a pancake 'mit speck und Camembert' had a lovely light feel about it. However, the more I ate, the more I realised that the food was lieing. An overwhelming dense feeling began in my belly. The food was lovely, but the increasing intensity of 'biffage' started to slow down my whole eating procedure. I looked around the table to find the same faces. The clatter of knives and forks was slowing down. The food was lovely, but Clare had to work hard to finish her pesto and mozzarella one, equally Jasper and Maya with honey and Nutella (separately that is!). 

Not satisfied with a bellyful, we then went to our favourite Hildesheim tea shop where Darjeeling leaf tea and cake was consumed. And then tonight, we managed to feed 10 with a copious amount of the regulation homemade Friday Night pizzas, served with piles of homemade coleslaw, potato salad and other trimmings. A bit of an overdose today then on food. We are back on the road though tomorrow, so I think a normal reduced service will resume, which is good as I can't eat this much daily!

Yours overbiffedly

Ed