...for their meal - and apparently it is becoming more common in Britain.' Guardian: 'Some people may think they are able to justify their actions morally. "It may be reasoning that restaurants make so much profit that they won't miss a few pounds, or: 'They charge too much anyway, they're ripping me off, I'm just reciprocating,'" he says. Others, says Beattie, may put the emphasis on those they are close to: "'OK, the waiter might get into a bit of trouble, but hey, I'm treating my family.'" Or they may view it as a minor indiscretion in the scheme of things: "Hey, you think this is bad? Look at politicians! They're always cheating and stealing! This is nothing in comparison."'

Related: * In a plot twist - the psychology professor interviewed in the Guardian admits to previously being in a 'dine and dash'. * BBC: Dine-and-dash couple jailed and fined. * Law Society Gazette: 'Dine and dash' solicitor struck off. * BBC: Restaurant to charge upfront due to 'dine and dash'. * Yahoo News UK: Rise in 'dine and dash' customers blamed on police 'not taking action'. * BBC: Dine and dash hitting business hard - restaurateur.

English Heritage's Properties Curator, Win Scutt said: "These finds reveal a fascinating insight into the lives of those at Tintagel Castle more than 1,500 years ago. It is easy to assume that the fall of the Roman Empire threw Britain into obscurity, but here on this dramatic Cornish cliff top they built substantial stone buildings, used fine table wares from Turkey, drank from decorated Spanish glassware and feasted on pork, fish and oysters." 2016 excavations report. Guardian article about a truly extraordinary window ledge inscription from the 7th century. More about Tintagel for folks who've never heard of it.

This post brought to you courtesy of the Secrets of the Dead 2019 episode on 5th-7th century Britain. Arthur previously.

Sightings of the aurora borealis are unlikely in the U.K. this weekend, but the northern lights could return on Monday, forecasters said.

© Steve Emery