Lost In Translation

I have just returned for a warm, sunny and relaxing week in Spain and since stepping off the 'plane at Newcastle International Airport, I have struggled to get warm. May is only two days away yet it feels more like December. Only a month ago we were all bemoaning the lack of rainfall and the potential hosepipe bans in some parts of the country. Now those same parts are experiencing flood warnings. Weird!

Anyway, on my recent travels I stopped off at a sea front restaurant for a sample of the local cuisine and couldn't help overhearing a conversation at the neighbouring establishment which was clearly run by an English couple. The woman communicated with any 'foreign' customers by speaking to them slowly and loudly. Two German ladies were obviously having the 'Menu del Dia' and when the time came for them to select their sweet, the proprietor loudly and clearly enunciating every word, offered them a choice of ice cream, flan or coffee.

One of the two customers understood and decided to translate for her puzzled looking companion as follows:- "Eis, flan or cafe."