The Asian supermarket/wholesaler I have always used for herbs, spices and sauces has closed down, so I had to find another.
In the back streets I found this new Aladdin's Cave where I wandered around getting a kilo of this, a jar of that a bottle of the other, but I could not find spring roll wraps. So, anyway, I ask at the tills and the girl calls the head honcho over. He takes me to a small deli counter with spring rolls.....
"No, I want just the wraps..."
"We do very wonderful and best spring roll...."
"So do I..."
"Tell, tell me..."
So I tell him about my marinade, and the different ingredients and how I fold them and all the while he is doing that Asian bottom lip and chin up thing - doubting, but he lets me finish....
"Come, I show... first you must try here..."
I try and it pretty tasty I have to tell you.
"Now you buy this...?"
"No! I only want wraps..."
He laughs, I laugh and he shows me where the wraps are...he is now my personal shopping assistant showing me round everything. Fine man.
As I am leaving he very firmly informs me that on my next visit I have to take him one of my spring rolls.