Fruit flies are not my preferred source of protein

I like a glass or two of Manzanilla – call it Fino sherry – at around midday. The problem is that for some reason about ten fruit flies arrive at the mere suggestion of the smell of Manzanilla. I then have to fish them out of my glass one by one. And still they come.

They must be breeding somewhere if not in front of my eyes – they assemble too far apart to engage in sexual intercourse. I must suppose fruit flies are just very modest when engaging in public appearances. But I do not like to swallow my Manzanilla and thus accidentally ingest one of these accursed flies which must prove to be a source of protein for me.

Written by Simon Cawkwell, February 2026