Does anyone know where I could buy tamarind water ?

You can buy tamarind paste in the supermarket, or at least you can round here. Or try your indian grocers shop. It comes in a tub

Thanks Lady F, I shall have a look I didn't know you buy it in paste form ?

I bought a tamarind block from tesco. Its about 6cm x3cm and is a sticky pulp wrapped in cellophane. To use it you add 4 tablespoons to 2ml of water and let it soften for 20minutes.

In regard to spices, I would buy some cardamon pods, tumeric, fenugreek seeds, cinnamon sticks, dried chillis and a good curry powder. That should give him a good basis to start from.

Thank you Rosencrantz, I shall go to Tesco this weekend and have a look. Thank you for the hints about the spices too, I shall add them to the list. x