Breaking in "New Expenses System": Testing the boundaries

..

While away from home on business - but still in the UK - there are guide allowances for breakfast, lunch and dinner - this is all to do with tax.

You are meant to be able to find a breakfast for under £5.  Not possible at any airport I know of, the nearest I can get is..

Costa Coffee who will do you something for £6.10. The evening meal limit is £25 and we are meant to stick with that overseas as well.

Tax man obviously has never been to Ireland - and certainly not Malahide - where the only hotel will stiff you 34€ for  a steak.

Day 1: Sandwiches for €7.50 - well safe

So what I am doing is one night "sandwiches from SPAR" and the next a proper hot meal.  However you know you are somewhere special when the corner shop does not stock cans of beer - only wine!

Chicken Liver Pate - the sticks are fried Parsnip - part of a total meal cost of £35 - "Early Bird Special Deal"

Sea Trout, no starters, no dessert, one glass of wine - total meal cost - €43 -no warning or red-highlighting - safe!

Ray Wing - very nice, chowder to start, one glass of wine, no dessert, no coffee - €49 - pushing it a bit

...So it was sandwiches for the rest of the week.


I know why food is expensive in Norway* (lots of oil, lots of money, no land) but how do the Irish get away with this?

*My £11 baked potato in Tromso