Dualit classic toaster. Was replacing Breville and other brand toasters every 18 months or so.

Dualit cost more than twice my previous fancy units. So far, it has lasted 5 years, of nearly twice daily use. All parts repairable or replaceable, but haven’t needed to yet.

Not a great looking coincidence. It’s difficult not to speculate and assign guilt, the more stories come out.

Australia has so called “clean skin” wines. Plain bottles with only the region and grape type.

Large volumes of surplus wine gets sold like this so the big brands can manage their brand value.

It’s pot luck what you get, but sometimes it’s gold and it’s nearly always half decent.

The Laundry Files by Charles Stross, might satisfy.

I’ve never come across another writer that fills The Culture hole.