BRITS in BMW MOA

[lamble]

How many other Brits are there in this group?

How many of you are anglophiles?

Can we use this forum to exchange cultural experiences, for example extol the virtues of the humble pork pie and why you don't eat it hot. Branston pickle, warm beer, comedy beyond Monty Python, etc...
Differences and similarities.

Why folks should ride around the UK and what they should see.
Where have US riders been in the UK?
How to be able to afford it, tips on budget travel.

Perhaps we can help dispell some commonly held beliefs too, so US riders, what are your questions?

[rangepig]

Mmmm...Branston pickle!

I'm not a Brit but I've always been sort of an Anglophile. My very good friend Ross from Manchester prefers the term "Brit Hag" :)

[kbasa]

Paging MaddBrit to the courtesy phone.

[BubbaZanetti]

this thread is un-american:nyah


i lived in scotland for a spell bout' 7 years ago. didn't know how to drive a motorbike at the time but had some fun in a mini (the old kind), wrong ways into roundabouts, pushing the brake and clutch with one foot, that sorta thing. i think i went to the only exchange program where we actually had to study and do a lot of work, wasn't the goof off fest that most of my friends had.

[lamble]

Paging MaddBrit to the courtesy phone.

So what is it about Britain that you find so compelling?

They say when you live somewhere, you are too close to see it yourself, probably because you are tied up with the day-to-day stuff.

[lamble]

Mmmm...Branston pickle!

I'm not a Brit but I've always been sort of an Anglophile. My very good friend Ross from Manchester prefers the term "Brit Hag" :)

Just had a crusty roll with stilton and branston...and slices of apple. Simple, yet so complex.

[lamble]

this thread is un-american:nyah

Indubitably.:clap

[lamble]

this thread is un-american:nyah


i lived in scotland for a spell bout' 7 years ago. didn't know how to drive a motorbike at the time but had some fun in a mini (the old kind), wrong ways into roundabouts, pushing the brake and clutch with one foot, that sorta thing. i think i went to the only exchange program where we actually had to study and do a lot of work, wasn't the goof off fest that most of my friends had.


Which Uni?

Where in Scotland?
Did you cross the border?
Did you partake in the annual haggis hunts?:brow

[The_Veg]

I'm an anglophile.

Love the comedy, from Python to WAY beyond. My local PBS-affiliate runs more Limey laffs than any other station in the country, and was the first to do so when they got Monty Python for dirt-cheep in 1975. It is thought that the series would have been lost entirely had KERA not saved it from the dustbin. I watch several hours of Britcom most weekends, ranging from around 1980 to the early 2000's. And I really dig Doctor Who as well (if I ever get an RT-P I'm gonna paint it dark blue and get a license plate that says TARDIS :laugh ).

Love the beer!

Had a Mini in Germany- loved that rustbucket too, as well as the gaggle of Sunbeam Alpines my dad had when I was a kid.

And the music- gonna turn on some Madness right now! Then maybe some Iron Maiden, ELO, Richard Thompson, or...!

People joke about the food, but I have liked what I've tried so far.

I have yet to visit Britain, but I flew over on the way to Germany. I only know this because the pilot told we could see London outlined in lights out the left-windows. We were at 44K' and it was about an hour before sunrise. I recognised the shape of the city and the dark snake of the Thames from many maps I've seen.
I will not hesitate to visit if the USD ever gets back to a reasonable exchange-rate.

And that's just my random musings on the subject for the moment.

[SNC1923]

My anglophilia probably stems from my mother who was an Aussie. I know, a poor, backward cousin, but anglo nonetheless. My mom was a true victorian and was raised in Australia in the 20s, which I figure was proabably like Brittain in the 1890s.

I have a dear friend who is Brittish and love Monty Python, British candy, some of their food, history, etc. . . . They did rule the world for a time, you know.

Brits have great, colorful turns of phrase that I greatly enjoy, but they don't hold a candle to the Aussies. Although they speak English, their arcane references and nonsensical expression render them almost unintelligable. Great fun! My current favorite is "on your bike," for "get out of here." It's not archane or unintelligable, but there's something charming about it. My wife and I say it to each other all the time.

[lamble]

I'm an anglophile.

Love the comedy, from Python to WAY beyond. My local PBS-affiliate runs more Limey laffs than any other station in the country, and was the first to do so when they got Monty Python for dirt-cheep in 1975. It is thought that the series would have been lost entirely had KERA not saved it from the dustbin. I watch several hours of Britcom most weekends, ranging from around 1980 to the early 2000's. And I really dig Doctor Who as well (if I ever get an RT-P I'm gonna paint it dark blue and get a license plate that says TARDIS :laugh ).

Love the beer!

Had a Mini in Germany- loved that rustbucket too, as well as the gaggle of Sunbeam Alpines my dad had when I was a kid.

And the music- gonna turn on some Madness right now! Then maybe some Iron Maiden, ELO, Richard Thompson, or...!

People joke about the food, but I have liked what I've tried so far.

I have yet to visit Britain, but I flew over on the way to Germany. I only know this because the pilot told we could see London outlined in lights out the left-windows. We were at 44K' and it was about an hour before sunrise. I recognised the shape of the city and the dark snake of the Thames from many maps I've seen.
I will not hesitate to visit if the USD ever gets back to a reasonable exchange-rate.

And that's just my random musings on the subject for the moment.


There are parts of London that look far better from 44k feet, although the Olympics 2012 are set to change that side of the city.
I did some work with Peugeot in Coventry and part of their plant was the old Sunbeam works...sunbeam...sunbeam talbot...peugeot talbot...peugeot.

I've never owned a mini, although it's compulsory that you have a ride in one if you are British and the mini is a TARDIS, I've seen over ten students crammed into one.

The food, well let's just say post WWII there was rationing and that's when the poor reputation was fed to folk. I think it was 8 of the top 20 restaurants in the world that are now to be found in the UK (2006). 4 for France, only 2 in the USA according to an international foodie mag which was a US publication.

The music...ahh the music. It's a geographical thing. Being a small country we have a series of national stations from the BBC. You get to hear a range of music from one station, rather than the niche styles over here. The BBC is funded by a license rather than advertising revenue, so can spread its wings, beyond the target audience ad revenue. Same applies to the TV and newspapers. It's a geographical thing.

[BubbaZanetti]

Which Uni?

Where in Scotland?
Did you cross the border?
Did you partake in the annual haggis hunts?:brow

Stirling
Several times, maybe more like 20, lots of busses, hitching and trains, london, manchester, sheffield, brighton, all over the place. old gent: "where ya heading son", me: "oh yeah, going down to london", old gent at the bus station: "wow, that's a long ways away, never been there myself" me: "(thinking; yeah, it's like driving to DC from Boston) oh yeah, should be quite the adventure" hahahaha
I love haggis, well, not love, but liked enough to eat multiple times. I actually wrote a little comic strip involving a hagis monster that a friend printed in a local punk rock zine in Stirling.

[lamble]

Stirling
Several times, maybe more like 20, lots of busses, hitching and trains, london, manchester, sheffield, brighton, all over the place. old gent: "where ya heading son", me: "oh yeah, going down to london", old gent at the bus station: "wow, that's a long ways away, never been there myself" me: "(thinking; yeah, it's like driving to DC from Boston) oh yeah, should be quite the adventure" hahahaha
I love haggis, well, not love, but liked enough to eat multiple times. I actually wrote a little comic strip involving a hagis monster that a friend printed in a local punk rock zine in Stirling.

For those that don't know, a haggis is a peculiar wee beastie, being the only mammal with both fur and feathers. It's left legs are shorter than its right, so it is excellent at scaling the mountains of the Highlands but only in an anti-clockwise path.
On the Gloriouis 8th, beaters are sent to the top of the 'Bens' where they scare the Haggis into turning round. This unbalances them and they roll down the sides of the Ben passed the shooters. The final feast comprises of the beast plucked and cooked in it's own skin, then presented flambed in fired whiskey at the table.

I know some of you may be sceptical, but it's a tradition that the first feathers, off the first haggis of the season, are presented to the Queen's heir. Have a look at the Prince of Wales insignia-three feathers...haggis feathers.
Further evidence can be gleaned from the history of Nova Scotia. As geologists amongst you will know, Scotland, north of Loch Ness, was once attached to the North American continent. Based on this one fact alone an entrepreneur in 1876, one Ducan Mc Donat, set about trying to farm the Haggis in Nova Scotia. Now you may recall I mentioned the feathers. Unfortunately the prevailing winds from across the Atlantic were strongest at the same time as haggis breading season started. The winds caused the female haggis, or hen, to present herself to the male haggis, or sporran, with her feathers all awry. Not being able to tell front from back, the sporran would give up for fear of an embarrassing mistake, so the business died.
Duncan went on to found a cake based company here in the USA, but I'm not sure what he called it.

At some point remind me to expalin the phrase...talking bolloc*s!

I only passed through Stirling and recall the very impressive castle.

Distance is relative. When I was young 90 miles was a holiday...granted in 90 miles you'd have passed from England, through Wales and to the coast, on the way , you'd have been through 20-30 towns and hundreds of years of history. It's like a country only condensed...a concentrate of distance and history.
That's what I miss the most.

[kbasa]

So what is it about Britain that you find so compelling?

They say when you live somewhere, you are too close to see it yourself, probably because you are tied up with the day-to-day stuff.

We visited there a year ago and stayed in London for a few days. I felt at home almost instantly.

After spending some time there, it was apparent to me that there's a maturity to the English society that we haven't achieved yet. Here in the US, we're very much like a teenager. We're learning how and how not to influence the world around us, but aren't really in the company of the adults yet.

I enjoyed our time there quite a bit.

[franze]

Just two questions.

1. Riding from the mainland to the UK, or is it Great Britain, or is it England, or is it His/Her Majesty's ???? Anyway, I'm talking Chunnel. Do you put the motorbike on a train? Do you need your own tie downs? Appoximate cost........I'll convert sterling to Swiss francs.

2. Getting from UK/GB/ENG/HMSS to Ireland??Ferry? Tie Downs??? Best town to leave from, arrive to??? Besides putting a big duct tape "X" on the right side of my windshield.......any other mind tricks I can use to look right, then left, then right before I head off for a banger, and I'm not talking about metal on metal :nono

wait, one more queston????

Isle of Man?????? When is that race?

Thanks in advance!!!

[lamble]

My local PBS-affiliate runs more Limey laffs than any other station in the country, .

I know the derivation of "limey" from our naval history and vitamin C deficient rickets and scabese being limited by eating fresh fruit - limes kept longer than other fruit, but, apart from Jimmy Cagney singing it, where does Yank come from?
A "yankee doodle" sounds even more bizarre.

[tessler]

I'm an Anglophile.

Have only been to London and it's suburbs though, but have many friends who currently reside there, and several friends and family members who are from there.

My favorite British "comedy" act has got to be the late Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, fronted by the late great Vivian Stanshall (any of you who've ever heard Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells would have heard him as the narrarator).

Of British actors living or deceased, there are many favorites. Among them John Mills, Jim Broadbent, Ralph Richardson, Michael Caine, Brenda Blethyn, Laurence Olivier, Deborah Kerr, Alec Guiness and Wendy Hiller come to mind. I had the honor to meet Sir Michael here in NY last Spring. :)

Musically, I consider Vaughn-Williams, John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Elgar and Britten to be amongst the greatest composers ever.

[BubbaZanetti]

My favorite British "comedy" act has got to be the late Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, fronted by the late great Vivian Stanshall (any of you who've ever heard Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells would have heard him as the narrarator).



him and keith moon had some rather funny escapades in london in the early 70s playing dress up as SS officers (the whole british-nazi humor thing is certainly uniquely british) and running around town.

[mandypants]

University of Central Lancashire, 2003 here.
Lived in Preston.
Visited lots of other places.

:heart Self-confessed Anglophile.:heart

And to get to Ireland, may I suggest the ferry that runs from Holyhead, Wales to Dun Laoghaire? It was quite nice, and the roads through Wales are gorgeous (especially if you like to look at woolly jumpers).

[AZ Greg]

Some of my closest friends are from the UK . . .

However, I still do not understand the common folks support of the Monarchy?

(Oops, maybe I should have posted this in the new "Fight Club" forum)

[lamble]

Just two questions.

1. Riding from the mainland to the UK, or is it Great Britain, or is it England, or is it His/Her Majesty's ???? Anyway, I'm talking Chunnel. Do you put the motorbike on a train? Do you need your own tie downs? Appoximate cost........I'll convert sterling to Swiss francs.

2. Getting from UK/GB/ENG/HMSS to Ireland??Ferry? Tie Downs??? Best town to leave from, arrive to??? Besides putting a big duct tape "X" on the right side of my windshield.......any other mind tricks I can use to look right, then left, then right before I head off for a banger, and I'm not talking about metal on metal :nono

wait, one more queston????

Isle of Man?????? When is that race?

Thanks in advance!!!

Franze, it's simple. England, Scotland, Wales are all autonimous regions on an island that is Great Britain. Great Britain along with Northern Ireland makes up the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a country, the others aren't. No I don't get it either but it doesn't seem to matter too much.

You can either cross the English Channel by Ferry or in the tunnel on the train.
Ferry is more comfortable, train is faster and takes you further inland. You stay with your bike during the train crossing and there aren't any waves to cause the bike to rock or roll, so a side or centre stand will do. It gets tied down on the ferry.

From England to Ireland, the best bet is to go to Wales and catch the ferry from Fishguard or Holyhead
If you intend to go to the TT via Ireland I've no idea, but if you are going to the TT from England, then head for Liverpool. The Steam Packet have a monopoly on the crossing and get's booked well in advance of the May/June races. http://www.iomtt.com/TT-2008.aspx should give you all the current info on schedules, costs, accommodation etc.
The other prices fluctuate on day of the week, time and time of the year, you'll need to research those yourself.

How do you cope with traffic on the otherside of the road? It never was on the otherside, when I was there!!:brow

If it's anything like riding in Mainland Europe, or here in the USA, just be glad you are on a bike, all the controls are still in the right place. Give yourself an hour or so of riding conservatively, then you'll be okay. You will have momentary lapses-usually when coming into, or out of, car parks or petrol stations, but if you wait until you see another vehicle pass, then you'll switch into it, no problem.

Our mainbeam light needed a euro adaption, usually a bit of triangular masking tap, so as not to "blind" on coming drivers. I expect you'll need something similar.

On Mad Sunday...ride around the island in a clockwise direction, the direction the races go, otherwise you will probably die, and don't forget to say Hi to the fairies for good luck whenever you cross a certain bridge-name escapes me!

[lamble]

Some of my closest friends are from the UK . . .

However, I still do not understand the common folks support of the Monarchy?

(Oops, maybe I should have posted this in the new "Fight Club" forum)

Well, they just seem to have been there for so long. They don't have any real power and so can't do much damage.
There's more to it than that of course, the heritage, the pomp and ceremony, the fact they are German and Greek, and the ginger one of the princes (Harry) is questionably not Charles's, so we get to see dysfunction and feel better because at least it's not us having the families dirty laundry aired in public.
Plus, they are so small in stature, that they fit neatly on to postage stamps.

I've met the Queen twice...she does a very fine chocolate cake, but her icecream is a bit average.

[franze]

thanks Lamble. I've got every thing I need to have a jolly good time.......... No, I could never say anything like that. But appreciate the insight. I'm a beer slut and I recently found out that Guiness is WAY BETTER in Dublin than anywhere else and I've always been a Newcastle man.

Cheers......... I can say that, and mean it!!!:buds

[lamble]

I'm an Anglophile.

Have only been to London and it's suburbs though, but have many friends who currently reside there, and several friends and family members who are from there.

My favorite British "comedy" act has got to be the late Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, fronted by the late great Vivian Stanshall (any of you who've ever heard Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells would have heard him as the narrarator).

Of British actors living or deceased, there are many favorites. Amongst them John Mills, Jim Broadbent, Ralph Richardson, Michael Caine, Brenda Blethyn, Laurence Olivier, Deborah Kerr, Alec Guiness and Wendy Hiller come to mind. I had the honor to meet Sir Michael here in NY last Spring. :)

Musically, I consider Vaughn-Williams, John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Elgar and Britten to be amongst the greatest composers ever.

I'd add Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins to the list of fine actors. I've always wanted to sound like Burton.
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, a comedy act? Surely not! The 'push bike' song will forever be scarred into my brain, every time we had a sunny summer it would get pedalled out.
I think you hit every Brit classical composer of note. There's something stirring yet pastoral that England in particular seems to draw from musicians and artists. I lived only a few miles from the Hay wain scene painted by John Constable, I think it was Lott's cottage if I recall. I rowed up and down the Stour many summer evening, in fact most of his works were in the Stour valley... a very mellow area, almost unspectacularly calm and tranquil. Still has the salmon pink plastered cottages, old churches and dewy grassed grave yards. Quaint sums it up.

If you are ever in that area, visit Lavenham, stay at the Swan Hotel. Christmas time is particularly appealing.

And pop along to Mersea Island for fresh seafood at the sheds or from the Colchester Oyster Fishery, then walk along Coast Rd and look for the Lorna. My old boat.
For a more bracing walk, visit East Mersea. Drive until the road ends, then walk onto the islands shell strewn spit and bird sanctuary, glorious on a very windy day.
For those with WWII interests, keep a look out for the bunkers. Many aircraft fell on this strip of land and water...Fingerinhoe has a museum in the lighthouse, worth a visit.

[lamble]

thanks Lamble. I've got every thing I need to have a jolly good time.......... No, I could never say anything like that. But appreciate the insight. I'm a beer slut and I recently found out that Guiness is WAY BETTER in Dublin than anywhere else and I've always been a Newcastle man.

Cheers......... I can say that, and mean it!!!:buds

Ah but Murphy's whups Guiness. Murphy's is what the Irish drink, they just sell Guiness to us poor fools.

[Rapid_Roy]

I know the derivation of "limey" from our naval history and vitamin C deficient rickets and scabese being limited by eating fresh fruit - limes kept longer than other fruit, but, apart from Jimmy Cagney singing it, where does Yank come from?
A "yankee doodle" sounds even more bizarre.
It's still better then the Cockney term for us Americans.
I mean really....sceptic tanks?
What about Friendly thanks or Sherman tanks? :laugh

For those who have no clue what I am talking about:
Link (http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/rabbit)

[lamble]

University of Central Lancashire, 2003 here.
Lived in Preston.
Visited lots of other places.

:heart Self-confessed Anglophile.:heart

And to get to Ireland, may I suggest the ferry that runs from Holyhead, Wales to Dun Laoghaire? It was quite nice, and the roads through Wales are gorgeous (especially if you like to look at woolly jumpers).

I once had a girlfriend who went to Lancaster Uni, so I spent some time there, but never went to Preston...what did I miss?

[lamble]

It's still better then the Cockney term for us Americans.
I mean really....sceptic tanks?
What about Friendly thanks or Sherman tanks? :laugh

For those who have no clue what I am talking about:
Link (http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/rabbit)

Well cockneys are a different breed altogether. It's said that cockney came from the need for the criminal fraternity of East London, to be able to converse without the Old Bill, Peelers, Police being able to understand them, so rhymning slang was used, replacing the actual word with something quite different but which had the same meter.

Plates of meat-feet
apples and pairs-stairs
Trouble and strife-wife
Bread Knife-wife

These terms were 'so convincingly' used by Dick Van Dyke in his portrayal of a cockney chimney sweep in Mary Poppins.
Core Blimey, luv a duck!

So where does Yank come from?

[franze]

Ah but Murphy's whups Guiness. Murphy's is what the Irish drink, they just sell Guiness to us poor fools.

OMG they lined the Pubs with tourists!!!!!!!!!!!! with Al Cap hats, and giant red schnozzes........Hey, I did make it out to the coast and " have a go" with some oysters, damn good experience for a transplanted Chesepeake guy/CA guy/ currently land-locked guy.

OH, and I had the pleasure of working with some Cockney lads. I had to have them write down on paper what they were saying. Then, I had to have them translate it.

Love that scene in Goldmember when Michael Cain and MIke Meyers go into the Cockney spiel.............

[chris_d]

Lamble...

I don't think members are really interested in a place where:

it's always raining/cold
all food is either boiled or fish and chips
the beer is warm
you have to drive on the wrong side of the road and get to use 'roundabouts'
they speak unintelligible English

us Brits better just keep our uncle neds down:hide

mandy....nice job on the spelling of Done Leera

[lamble]

Lamble...

I don't think members are really interested in a place where:

it's always raining/cold
all food is either boiled or fish and chips
the beer is warm
you have to drive on the wrong side of the road and get to use 'roundabouts'
they speak unintelligible English

us Brits better just keep our uncle neds down:hide

mandy....nice job on the spelling of Done Leera

I see you have particularly fond memories of Britain. Which part did you come from, sounds like Newport Pagnell Services on the M6?:D

[Rapid_Roy]

Lamble...

I don't think members are really interested in a place where:

it's always raining/cold
Wisconsin has 3 months of summer. The rest is raining/cold.
all food is either boiled or fish and chips
I love boiled dinner, and fish and chips.
the beer is warm
I don't drink beer.
you have to drive on the wrong side of the road and get to use 'roundabouts'
That depends on your point of view. Although you might have a point about roundabouts. They do seem to be a punishment.
they speak unintelligible English
So do I!
I think I would like it there. :thumb

[chris_d]

I see you have particularly fond memories of Britain. Which part did you come from, sounds like Newport Pagnell Services on the M6?:D

Ouch....too far north of the Watford gap for me

I'm lucky enough to be able to return 'home' frequently and see for myself how things have changed...good and bad.

Also fortunate to be able to get hold of many of the best bits here in Canada...magazines, pickle, beer....even pork pies!

I would suggest the Chunnel to people crossing the channel...drive on and drive off again 40 minutes later, no tie downs required.

[lamble]

Ouch....too far north of the Watford gap for me

I'm lucky enough to be able to return 'home' frequently and see for myself how things have changed...good and bad.

Also fortunate to be able to get hold of many of the best bits here in Canada...magazines, pickle, beer....even pork pies!

I would suggest the Chunnel to people crossing the channel...drive on and drive off again 40 minutes later, no tie downs required.


Watford Gap...so much in common with the Darien Gap; inhospitable, impeneterable, nothing worth stopping for and a pain to get passed.

For those who don't know, Watford Gap is a stop on the motorway. They are called service stops, but there are no services other than a toilet worth stopping for. The food is notoriously awful and irrationally expensive. The building is lit by the static electrical build up of the synthetic clothes-usually sport replicas on unsport-like frames is used to light the mid seventies dour building. Children scream, rival football team supporters use it as a rendezvous for exchanging testosterone, and the truck stop is a prostitute pick up area, buy drugs etc...really classy place. One of my riding buddies had been a policeman based there.
It's also a frequent traffic accident spot, as people who know no doubt speed up to get passed the damnable place and its pervassive odour of old frying fat.

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104033110-L-1.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104039490-L.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104039651-L.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104041294-L.jpg

[kbasa]

A truly horrid place to visit.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104044100-L.jpg

[kbasa]

Well, yes. I'd fancy a bit more, if you'd be so kind.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104044073-L.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/110321473-L-1.jpg

[lamble]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104039651-L.jpg

Dave,

Are these supposed to be the view from your front door?

You must have good eye sight.

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/110327629-L.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/110331273-L.jpg

[kbasa]

Dave,

Are these supposed to be the view from your front door?

You must have good eye sight.

I wish. The British Museum, actually. What an amazing day that was.

[lamble]

A truly horrid place to visit.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/104044100-L.jpg

Horrid because of it's history, or because of the swarms of tourists?

[lamble]

The sun never set on them at one time. Now it hardly rises.

There's nothing like having an empire, to get you universally detested. Oh and that map is disproportionate, there's no way Britain is that big. Thankfully it was an empire built on trade....and if you wouldn't trade then we'd fight you, or feed opium to your population until they were useless for anything. It's also interesting to see that our empire on this map didn't include the British Colonies now known as the USA, so what's the date?

Oh, I almost forgot...we ruled the waves too, so can we have the blue bits coloured in please.

[kbasa]

Horrid because of it's history, or because of the swarms of tourists?

I was being quite facetious.

[chris_d]

Horrid because of it's history, or because of the swarms of tourists?

Not much fun if you were staying as a guest of his/her Majesties either...

Nice pics of the Elgin Marbles Dave, I was at the BM three weeks ago.

When you are tired of London you are tired of life....

[lamble]

I was being quite facetious.

I did some work for Her Majness and got to visit a few of her pads, away from the tourist bits. The Tower does have a horribly bloody past. The princes being murdered, quite a few on the chopping block, but as far as I'm aware it never took part in a battle so to speak.

So it is horrid by association, and in the Summer due to the crowds.
Did you get to Henry VIII's palace Hampton Court? I much prefer that, although for grandeur I think I've mentioned Blenheim elsewhere, so I'll do it again...Blenheim.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

A real live brit here too.

[tonkandy]

Well cockneys are a different breed altogether. It's said that cockney came from the need for the criminal fraternity of East London, to be able to converse without the Old Bill, Peelers, Police being able to understand them, so rhymning slang was used, replacing the actual word with something quite different but which had the same meter.


You see a lot of us in old WW2 movies - we're the short skinny little batman with a dodgy scam going, who always talks about 'is Mum, and always gets blown up 5 minutes from the end. Pathos incarnate.

Contrary to the popular stereotype, many of us have never spent any time in prison.

[kbasa]

I did some work for Her Majness and got to visit a few of her pads, away from the tourist bits. The Tower does have a horribly bloody past. The princes being murdered, quite a few on the chopping block, but as far as I'm aware it never took part in a battle so to speak.

So it is horrid by association, and in the Summer due to the crowds.
Did you get to Henry VIII's palace Hampton Court? I much prefer that, although for grandeur I think I've mentioned Blenheim elsewhere, so I'll do it again...Blenheim.

I can't say that we did, but I expect we'll be back there again.

[tessler]

I'd add Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins to the list of fine actors. I've always wanted to sound like Burton.
How could I have forgotten... I'd also like to add Basil Rathbone, Ben Kingsley, Donald Pleasance, Richard Attenborough, Oliver Reed (his performaces in Oliver! and and The Devils alone are worthy of all-time cinematic greatness), Peter Sellers, Jeremy Irons, James Mason, David Niven, Peter Ustinov and of course Helen Mirren.

Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, a comedy act? Surely not! The 'push bike' song will forever be scarred into my brain, every time we had a sunny summer it would get pedalled out. Ok, you're right. They were a gifted band of musicians in their own right. Their take on 1920's style pre-swing Jazz was totally amazing. Mr. Apollo, Death Cab for Cutie and Stanshall's rendition of I Left My Heart in San Fransisco are hilarious and unforgettable.

I think you hit every Brit classical composer of note. There's something stirring yet pastoral that England in particular seems to draw from musicians and artists. I lived only a few miles from the Hay wain scene painted by John Constable, I think it was Lott's cottage if I recall. I rowed up and down the Stour many summer evening, in fact most of his works were in the Stour valley... a very mellow area, almost unspectacularly calm and tranquil. Still has the salmon pink plastered cottages, old churches and dewy grassed grave yards. Quaint sums it up.I left out Sir Michael Tippett, Sir John Tavener, Sir William Walton and Sir Arthur Sullivan. All great Sirs and all amazing academic composers (Walton wrote a beautiful Coronation Te Deum for Elizabeth II in 1952).

And yes, Constable was a brilliant painter. Gorgeous landscapes. In the visual arts, the British Isles can't be beat. Joshua Reynolds, William Blake and Turner were giants. Francis Bacon was a genius and painted some of my favorite images and Henry Moore is one of my favorite sculptors. Bridget Riley and Richard Hamilton are two of my favorite modernists.

If you are ever in that area, visit Lavenham, stay at the Swan Hotel. Christmas time is particularly appealing.

And pop along to Mersea Island for fresh seafood at the sheds or from the Colchester Oyster Fishery, then walk along Coast Rd and look for the Lorna. My old boat.
For a more bracing walk, visit East Mersea. Drive until the road ends, then walk onto the islands shell strewn spit and bird sanctuary, glorious on a very windy day.
For those with WWII interests, keep a look out for the bunkers. Many aircraft fell on this strip of land and water...Fingerinhoe has a museum in the lighthouse, worth a visit.Thanks, Steve, for these great recommendations! We're slated to visit in 2008 and will keep some of these destinations in mind! :thumb

[lamble]

How could I have forgotten... I'd also like to add Basil Rathbone, Ben Kingsley, Donald Pleasance, Richard Attenborough, Oliver Reed (his performaces in Oliver! and and The Devils alone are worthy of all-time cinematic greatness), Peter Sellers, Jeremy Irons, James Mason, David Niven, Peter Ustinov and of course Helen Mirren.

Ok, you're right. They were a gifted band of musicians in their own right. Their take on 1920's style pre-swing Jazz was totally amazing. Mr. Apollo, Death Cab for Cutie and Stanshall's rendition of I Left My Heart in San Fransisco are hilarious and unforgettable.

I left out Sir Michael Tippett, Sir John Tavener, Sir William Walton and Sir Arthur Sullivan. All great Sirs and all amazing academic composers (Walton wrote a beautiful Coronation Te Deum for Elizabeth II in 1952).

And yes, Constable was a brilliant painter. Gorgeous landscapes. In the visual arts, the British Isles can't be beat. Joshua Reynolds, William Blake and Turner were giants. Francis Bacon was a genius and painted some of my favorite images and Henry Moore is one of my favorite sculptors. Bridget Riley and Richard Hamilton are two of my favorite modernists.

Thanks, Steve, for these great recommendations! We're slated to visit in 2008 and will keep some of these destinations in mind! :thumb

You've got me questioning my own Britishness now. I'd never heard of Sir Arthur Sullivan, or Bridget Riley and Richard Hamilton and your mastery of the works of the fabled BDDDB is outstanding. I am in awe good sir.

I am humbled and shall have to hit the books far harder in future to keep apace with you.

[The_Veg]

According to Wikipedia:
The Oxford English Dictionary states that one of the earliest theories on the word derivation is from the Cherokee word "eankke" for coward as applied to the residents of New England. Also, as the Northeastern Native American approximation of the words English and Anglais. [4] It has been rejected by some linguists.[5]
The Oxford English Dictionary suggests the most plausible origin to be that it is derived from the Dutch first names "Jan" and "Kees". "Jan" and "Kees" were and still are common Dutch first names, and also common Dutch given names or nicknames. In many instances both names (Jan-Kees) are also used as a single first name in the Netherlands. "Jan" means "John" and may have been used as a reference to the settlers of New-York (New-Amsterdam at the time) who were Dutch. The word Yankee in this sense would be used as a form of contempt, applied derisively to Dutch settlers in New England and New York. [6] Another speculation suggests the Dutch form was Jan Kaas, "John Cheese", from the prevalence of dairy-farming among the Dutch, but this seems far-fetched. More realistically, Michael Quinion and Patrick Hanks argue[7]the term refers to the Dutch nickname and surname Janke, anglicized to Yanke and "used as a nickname for a Dutch-speaking American in colonial times". By extension, according to their theory, the term grew to include non-Dutch American colonists as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee

[lamble]

According to Wikipedia:
The Oxford English Dictionary states that one of the earliest theories on the word derivation is from the Cherokee word "eankke" for coward as applied to the residents of New England. Also, as the Northeastern Native American approximation of the words English and Anglais. [4] It has been rejected by some linguists.[5]
The Oxford English Dictionary suggests the most plausible origin to be that it is derived from the Dutch first names "Jan" and "Kees". "Jan" and "Kees" were and still are common Dutch first names, and also common Dutch given names or nicknames. In many instances both names (Jan-Kees) are also used as a single first name in the Netherlands. "Jan" means "John" and may have been used as a reference to the settlers of New-York (New-Amsterdam at the time) who were Dutch. The word Yankee in this sense would be used as a form of contempt, applied derisively to Dutch settlers in New England and New York. [6] Another speculation suggests the Dutch form was Jan Kaas, "John Cheese", from the prevalence of dairy-farming among the Dutch, but this seems far-fetched. More realistically, Michael Quinion and Patrick Hanks argue[7]the term refers to the Dutch nickname and surname Janke, anglicized to Yanke and "used as a nickname for a Dutch-speaking American in colonial times". By extension, according to their theory, the term grew to include non-Dutch American colonists as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee

For one brief but very disturbing moment, I thought you'd written John Cleese!

[Crow18]

For one brief but very disturbing moment, I thought you'd written John Cleese!

Never seen that derivation before. It seems more plausible than the ones I'd seen (along the lines of "It means something in Iroquois, but we don't know exactly what").

But I do seem to recall that John Cleese's family name had been "Cheese" at one point. I'm away from my reference books, so I can't back that one up. It's entirely possible that he was having a bit of fun at an interviewer's expense.

Lamble, I bet you've heard of Sir Arthur Sullivan. His usual writing partner was one W. S. Gilbert. I am the very model of a modern major general and all that.

I'm not much up on current British comedy, but I'm a fan of Alan Bennett, Jonathan Miller and Spike Milligan.

[lamble]

Never seen that derivation before. It seems more plausible than the ones I'd seen (along the lines of "It means something in Iroquois, but we don't know exactly what").

But I do seem to recall that John Cleese's family name had been "Cheese" at one point. I'm away from my reference books, so I can't back that one up. It's entirely possible that he was having a bit of fun at an interviewer's expense.

Lamble, I bet you've heard of Sir Arthur Sullivan. His usual writing partner was one W. S. Gilbert. I am the very model of a modern major general and all that.

I'm not much up on current British comedy, but I'm a fan of Alan Bennett, Jonathan Miller and Spike Milligan.

Now you mention it, of course I have, although without his buddy Gilbert I'd not made the association...and I've even been to Penzance!

[tonkandy]

While on the subject of Brits. I came across this article this morning

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7098116.stm

[lamble]

While on the subject of Brits. I came across this article this morning

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7098116.stm


Simply...How?

What part of a bicycle enables you to perform any such act?

I've blown up tyres before now, but I wouldn't call that intimate. (I used a pump...honest guv')

On the subject of sheep though.

Shepard's Pie. There's a big clue in the name and it's not the pie part.

So, how come, last night at an Irish pub in Seattle, shepard's pie was made with beef?
I've even been to a place called the Three Lions in Redmond, the professed British enclave in the Pacific North West...minced beef again.
It's not like minced lamb isn't available...I've got some in the freezer.
It's also not like the name for a beef version of a shepard's pie doesn't exist. It does. It's called a cottage pie. Sheep/Shepards, Cattle/.......no wait the arguement breaks down there, because cattle don't live in cottages do they.
Still, it's tradition and all that sort of stuff.

While you are busy sorting that out, I've a tandem to sort out...ahhh identical twins!

[tonkandy]

Simply...How?

While you are busy sorting that out, I've a tandem to sort out...ahhh identical twins!

It don't mean a thing if it aint got that Schwinn.

[lamble]

It don't mean a thing if it aint got that Schwinn.


If the picture of the bike is actually the pretty little minx he is reported to have had relations with, I noticed it had no bell. Surely that's illegal?

[Bigrider]

I've spent very little time in the UK, but I have spent a lot of time in the field with the BAOR (British Army of The Rhine (in Germany of course) in the late 80's. Does that count? The boys played hard, drank hard and cheated at every opportunity they could in war games. We loved them for all those endearing qualities. Alas, the BAOR and 2nd Armored Div are no more.:buds

Dave H
San Antonio, Tx

[lamble]

I've spent very little time in the UK, but I have spent a lot of time in the field with the BAOR (British Army of The Rhine (in Germany of course) in the late 80's. Does that count? The boys played hard, drank hard and cheated at every opportunity they could in war games. We loved them for all those endearing qualities. Alas, the BAOR and 2nd Armored Div are no more.:buds

Dave H
San Antonio, Tx

You see, this is where English as a common language isn't always interpreted the same way. You say "Tomaydo", we say "tomarto", you say "cheat", we say, "used one's innitiative to gain an advantage":D

[tessler]

You see, this is where English as a common language isn't always interpreted the same way. You say "Tomaydo", we say "tomarto", you say "cheat", we say, "used one's innitiative to gain an advantage":D:ha:ha
By the way Lamble, 2 more British giants-of-cinema (can't believe I neglected these two in the first place!):

Stan Laurel
Charles Chaplin

'nuff sed! :bow

[lamble]

:ha:ha
By the way Lamble, 2 more British giants-of-cinema (can't believe I neglected these two in the first place!):

Stan Laurel
Charles Chaplin

'nuff sed! :bow

Do you recall, Charlie Chaplain's ashes were stolen from acrypt in Switzerland some years back?
I was at a fancy dress party-I think I went as a carrot-when this guy arrived dressed perfectly normally. The host expressed concern about the unsuitable attire, at which the guest flicked his cigarette on the carpet and said, "I've come as Chaplain's missing ashes", then turned around and left.

[Cruzin]

Shouldn't this thread go to the "Don't go there" forum?

[lamble]

Shouldn't this thread go to the "Don't go there" forum?

I'd agree if this were the 'Romford on a wet Sunday morning' thread! Dreadful place from an architectural point of view. I'm sure there are worse places, but I also associate Romford with back surgery, so it starts with a disadvantage.

Why is it wet Sunday mornings are usually so dull? Is it the contrast with all the Saturday evening entertainment, so a wet Sunday is some sort of universal atonement for excess (obviously not those parts of the universe where Saturday isn't pis* up night).
Romford Saturday's are notorious, unless you are in a hospital with a 'Naught by mouth' sign on the bottom of your bed and with straight-jacket tucked in sheets.

Just the thought of Romfod makes me want to run around wantonly, windmilling my arms...because I can.

Don't go there! Except on Saturday nights.

[2beers]

Hello Lamble, We are looking for a mushy peas recipe. Is this one of those "everyone's mother has one and they are all different"? Please PM me if you have one. Also does the kind of peas used make a difference?

I made it to England twice when I was in the Air Force. 37 days at RAF Fairford and it rained all 37 days!!! Also a spent time at RAF Mildenhall. At Fairford I was lucky to have friends stationed there and they had a car. On the weekends we went out and toured the countryside. I was suprised to see pubs letting dogs in and the one we were at had a water dish for each of the dogs of the regular customers. Also made it for a day at RAF Lakenheath. I enjoyed many pub lunches and developed an affection for Newcastles. I spent a Christmas at Fairford and enjoyed being with my friends. I always found the Brits I met very friendly.

I would stand on the aircraft parking spots and could almost hear the engines of the B-17's, B24's and Lancasters. It is hard to believe they would put hundereds of these aircraft in the air day after day.

The history of the place is what I loved the most. To see buildings with cornerstones from the 1400's when all we have around here is the late 1800's.

My grandmother was British so there is a special place in my heart for the place. Hope to go back for Cass and my 25th anniversary.

The first day I got to Fairford I was getting onto a bus driven by a British gent and he greeted us by saying "My name is Barney and I am the first bloke you have met. You will always remember me" Dang he was right!!!

Cheers!!

[2beers]

I remember the smell of the coal fires in the grates. I had to ask someone what the funny smell was ( I live in Wisconsin so I am used to a lot of funny smells). They thought it was funny I didn't know what it was.

I was young and innocent at the time......


:brad

[lamble]

Hello Lamble, We are looking for a mushy peas recipe. Is this one of those "everyone's mother has one and they are all different"? Please PM me if you have one. Also does the kind of peas used make a difference?

I made it to England twice when I was in the Air Force. 37 days at RAF Fairford and it rained all 37 days!!! Also a spent time at RAF Mildenhall. At Fairford I was lucky to have friends stationed there and they had a car. On the weekends we went out and toured the countryside. I was suprised to see pubs letting dogs in and the one we were at had a water dish for each of the dogs of the regular customers. Also made it for a day at RAF Lakenheath. I enjoyed many pub lunches and developed an affection for Newcastles. I spent a Christmas at Fairford and enjoyed being with my friends. I always found the Brits I met very friendly.

I would stand on the aircraft parking spots and could almost hear the engines of the B-17's, B24's and Lancasters. It is hard to believe they would put hundereds of these aircraft in the air day after day.

The history of the place is what I loved the most. To see buildings with cornerstones from the 1400's when all we have around here is the late 1800's.

My grandmother was British so there is a special place in my heart for the place. Hope to go back for Cass and my 25th anniversary.

The first day I got to Fairford I was getting onto a bus driven by a British gent and he greeted us by saying "My name is Barney and I am the first bloke you have met. You will always remember me" Dang he was right!!!

Cheers!!

I visited Upper Heyford, Mildenhall and Lakenheath at one time or another.

Funny you should mention mushy peas, we were looking for them yesterday at World Market and they'd sold out...obviously word is spreading.
I'm guessing marrowfat peas as they have a suitably squishy consistency. I doubt many folk in the UK can make them and would revert to either getting them at the local chippie, or buying tins.

We were once in a pub quiz in N. England, a place called Brough. There was a picture section, where you had to name people from obscure images, or childhood images. We got most of them (and won the quiz) but were stumped by a picture of a puppy...it turned out to be one of the local's sheep dog. Turns out, the adult dog was sitting right next to us, probably s******ing a doggy-s****** at our stupidity.

[lamble]

Found this:

INGREDIENTS
1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper





DIRECTIONS
Bring a shallow pot of lightly salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add frozen peas, and cook for 3 minutes, or until tender.
Drain peas, and transfer to a blender or large food processor. Add cream, butter, salt and pepper to peas, and process until blended, but still thick with small pieces of peas. Adjust seasonings to taste, and serve immediately.


Reviewed on Sep. 19, 2006 by MOLLE888
My boyfriend and I just returned from the UK and we fell in love with mushy peas while we were over there. I was delighted to find a recipe for them on allrecipes, however I was really skeptical as to how they would taste. These were AWESOME, and tasted just like the mushy peas we enjoyed in England! Thank you so much for this easy, delicious recipe. I served these with traditional fish and chips... fried cod and fried potato strips.



Reviewed on Nov. 21, 2006 by Kate
Best peas ever. I did not want mine so pureed, so I just used a hand held potato masher to mush them up with the butter, cream, salt, and pepper and they turned out GREAT!!



Reviewed on Aug. 26, 2007 by vanessajbaca
These came out great. I boiled three cloves of garlic with the peas, then mushed them up together, then added fat-free creamer, a spoonful of sour cream, and eyeballed the butter and salt and pepper, and they came out fantastic! The texture was knobbly-smooth and the flavor went perfectly with a pecan-crusted, honey-mustard glazed salmon recipe also found on this site. A great meal.

2Beers, for me I'd add malt vinegar and pepper too, especially if they are to accompany fish and chips.

[lamble]

Are there any soccer fans here?
Which team/s do you follow and why?

The offside rule :scratch

[The_Veg]

While we're talking about various things British, I have always heard the terms 'git,' 'prat,' 'berk,' etc. used in usually comedic settings to describe someone as either unintelligent or idiotic or something along those general lines. Are these terms similar to each other or not? Are their meanings specific? Any particular cautions about meanings I should observe when using them?

[jdmetzger]

mandy....nice job on the spelling of Done Leera

It looks like she spelled it right to me... :dunno

[lamble]

While we're talking about various things British, I have always heard the terms 'git,' 'prat,' 'berk,' etc. used in usually comedic settings to describe someone as either unintelligent or idiotic or something along those general lines. Are these terms similar to each other or not? Are their meanings specific? Any particular cautions about meanings I should observe when using them?

Berk I do know. It's far tamer now than its origin, which few people know, otherwise they wouldn't use it, a bit like bloody was originally far stronger when it was God's Blood, sblud, now bloody (remember the power of the church was immense when God's Blood was an oath.

Prat...is buttocks. It might derive from a village called Pratt's Bottom

Git -ille (git) imate, but maybe from elsewhere. It's very gentle as an insult. I'd use it as uncouth, or without any thought as in "that's a gittish definition of git"

Other terms come from bastardisation of germanic and norse, with some celt, french and latin thrown in. English, you've got to love it.

[tonkandy]

While we're talking about various things British, I have always heard the terms 'git,' 'prat,' 'berk,' etc. used in usually comedic settings to describe someone as either unintelligent or idiotic or something along those general lines. Are these terms similar to each other or not? Are their meanings specific? Any particular cautions about meanings I should observe when using them?

I'm a cockney. Berk is rhyming slang derived from Berkley Hunt, in the same way that Barnet, meaning hair, is derived from Barnet Fair. Most people these days don't know the derivation - but don't use it in London anyway. Prat might be buttocks where Lamble is from but where I grew up it was a few inches removed from there (see Berk).

Don't say that you're stuffed, don't say you have a fanny pack (see Berk), pants are underwear, if your name is Walter don't refer to yourself as Wally. It goes in the other direction as well, I've had problems with knocking people up, and rubber. In Oz Durex is Scotch tape, in England it's a condom.

It's a wonder that we can communicate at all.

[lamble]

I'm a cockney. Berk is rhyming slang derived from Berkley Hunt, in the same way that Barnet, meaning hair, is derived from Barnet Fair. Most people these days don't know the derivation - but don't use it in London anyway. Prat might be buttocks where Lamble is from but where I grew up it was a few inches removed from there (see Berk).

Don't say that you're stuffed, don't say you have a fanny pack (see Berk), pants are underwear, if your name is Walter don't refer to yourself as Wally. It goes in the other direction as well, I've had problems with knocking people up, and rubber. In Oz Durex is Scotch tape, in England it's a condom.

It's a wonder that we can communicate at all.

Well Tonkandy, what a tw*tish load of twaddle y'w*nker. I'm b*ggered if a noddlepoppin to*ser is going to tell me a pr*t is a f*nny. That's just boll*cks! :thumb .

[jdmetzger]

Well Tonkandy, what a tw*tish load of twaddle y'w*nker. I'm b*ggered if a noddlepoppin to*ser is going to tell me a pr*t is a f*nny. That's just boll*cks! :thumb .

I must be watching too much "Coupling" on BBC America. I think I can understand that. :hungover

Coincidentally, I find it funny that BBC America has notifications telling people to turn on their closed captioning before watching some of the shows. I understand that stuff better than I understand some of the things I hear in the deep south. Then again, there is a Brit at work; maybe I'm just used to it.
:)

[tonkandy]

Well Tonkandy, what a tw*tish load of twaddle y'w*nker. I'm b*ggered if a noddlepoppin to*ser is going to tell me a pr*t is a f*nny. That's just boll*cks! :thumb .

And you, my friend, are the dog's boll*cks.

NB. Moderator, that's a compliment
Considering what it refers to I have no idea why it's a compliment, but it is.

[lamble]

And you, my friend, are the dog's boll*cks.

NB. Moderator, that's a compliment
Considering what it refers to I have no idea why it's a compliment, but it is.

Izzard's Dog's Boll*cks sketch is rather splendid, then again most of his stuff is funny.

[lamble]

I must be watching too much "Coupling" on BBC America. I think I can understand that. :hungover

Coincidentally, I find it funny that BBC America has notifications telling people to turn on their closed captioning before watching some of the shows. I understand that stuff better than I understand some of the things I hear in the deep south. Then again, there is a Brit at work; maybe I'm just used to it.
:)

Stay away from Brits at work, you could catch language related illnesses or VD-
verbal discrepancies.

They are the Mutt's Nuts.

[lamble]

Dog's Boll*cks...it's got to be something to do with the fact that dogs can lick their own.
I've had two discectomies and still can't get there. To mine that is, not the dog's, I could get to a dog's boll*cks relatively easily (dachshund being an obvious exception, as I'd need to saw the legs off the stool first), but don't fancy it. Just thought that needed clearing up.

[tessler]

My favorite English cousin. :thumb
This is the best thread, ever. :thumb
Well Tonkandy, what a tw*tish load of twaddle y'w*nker. I'm b*ggered if a noddlepoppin to*ser is going to tell me a pr*t is a f*nny. That's just boll*cks! :thumb .When I get into the office today, I'm going to have my computer "speak" this. :)

[chris_d]

It looks like she spelled it right to me... :dunno

Exactly.....It was meant as a complement! Now try the pronunciation.

[mandypants]

Exactly.....It was meant as a complement! Now try the pronunciation.

It is pronounced "done leery."

Now kwitcherbellyachin! Hahaha!:wave

[tonkandy]

It is pronounced "done leery."

Now kwitcherbellyachin! Hahaha!:wave

Good, now try this one

[jdmetzger]

Good, now try this one

Ah yes; everyone loves to visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysilio gogogoch, or as I like to call it, "Saint Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio of the red cave."

Click here (http://llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysilio gogogoch.co.uk/soundfiles/llandad4.wav) to listen to the pronunciation. I'm not going to try it. :)

Note: There is no space in the name; I guess vBulletin doesn't like words that long and puts the space in automatically.

[The_Veg]

I must be watching too much "Coupling" on BBC America. I think I can understand that.

Coincidentally, I find it funny that BBC America has notifications telling people to turn on their closed captioning before watching some of the shows. I understand that stuff better than I understand some of the things I hear in the deep south. Then again, there is a Brit at work; maybe I'm just used to it.

I like Coupling, but I am almost offended at those blurbs about captioning. I did grow up in the deep south, so I understand those folks OK.

But if you like British comedy, see if your local PBS runs any. BBC America will just have fairly recent stuff, but PBS stations have things going all the way back to the late '60s-early '70s.

Some of my favourites:

Are You Being Served?
Keeping Up Appearances
Good Neighbours
The Black Adder (all four series)
Thin Blue Line
Red Dwarf
The Vicar Of Dibley
Father Ted
Fools And Horses
A Bit Of Fry And Laurie
Chef!
As Time Goes By
Fawlty Towers (except for the Basil The Rat episode, which gets shown way too much!)
The Young Ones
Waiting For God

And that's just what I can think of right now.

[The_Veg]

Well Tonkandy, what a tw*tish load of twaddle y'w*nker. I'm b*ggered if a noddlepoppin to*ser is going to tell me a pr*t is a f*nny. That's just boll*cks!
I haven't chuckled so hard in days- thanks! I most definitely owe you a good tea (or pint depending on mood) whenever our paths cross! :thumb

[lamble]

Good, now try this one

That'll be pronounced: Vol Vo!

[jdmetzger]

That'll be pronounced: Vol Vo!

:rofl

Smashing!

[BubbaZanetti]

I must be watching too much "Coupling" on BBC America. I think I can understand that. :hungover

Coincidentally, I find it funny that BBC America has notifications telling people to turn on their closed captioning before watching some of the shows. I understand that stuff better than I understand some of the things I hear in the deep south. Then again, there is a Brit at work; maybe I'm just used to it.
:)

use that first line when trying to pick up girls, cause that's a girl's show:thumb


ever notice how american tv is in love with captioning. "oh, this guy's from india, he speaks perfectly understandable, grammatically correct english, but we'd better caption him cause he's a foreigner." you never see that on british television.

[lamble]

Sad loss.

No, not England's crushing defeat at home to the Croat team today and therby failing to qualify for the European Championships next year (English players are a bunch of pampered, over-paid prima donas, whose motivation comes in the form of high denomination notes).
Not even Scotland's failure in the 90th minute against Italy, also condeming them to an extended summer hols.
Wales and Northern Ireland...well you never expected them to get through did you?

No my sad loss is Jeff, the curly haired one from Coupling. That new bloke is a joke, just not a funny one. And as for being a girlie show, the blokes are blokes, the women are attractive and the interplay challenges Friends and wins hands down...in my opinion, with the subjects being addressed being far and away more human (usually meaning sexual).

[lamble]

I like Coupling, but I am almost offended at those blurbs about captioning. I did grow up in the deep south, so I understand those folks OK.

But if you like British comedy, see if your local PBS runs any. BBC America will just have fairly recent stuff, but PBS stations have things going all the way back to the late '60s-early '70s.

Some of my favourites:

Are You Being Served?
Keeping Up Appearances
Good Neighbours
The Black Adder (all four series)
Thin Blue Line
Red Dwarf
The Vicar Of Dibley
Father Ted
Fools And Horses
A Bit Of Fry And Laurie
Chef!
As Time Goes By
Fawlty Towers (except for the Basil The Rat episode, which gets shown way too much!)
The Young Ones
Waiting For God

And that's just what I can think of right now.

But even the captioning is presented in a humourous manner.
Chef with Lenny Henry..I detested that show, never laughed once.
Thin Blue Line...silly rather than funny
Never saw Good Neighbours who's in it?


Now:
The Fast Show
Drop the Dead Donkey
Big Train
Man Stroke Woman
QI
Have I got news for you
Pheonix Nights
and the excellent but disturbing League of Gentlemen's vision of Royston Vassey.

If you get a chance beg steal or borrow any of these.

[chris_d]

Lamble my dear fellow....

Good Neighbours better known as 'The Good Life'
Penelope Keith, Paul Eddington, Felicity Kendal and Richard Briers.

The pride of Surbiton

[chris_d]

Paul Eddington also starred in Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister

brilliant comedy!

[lamble]

Paul Eddington also starred in Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister

brilliant comedy!

I've got both these on DVD.

Never knew Good Neighbours was known as the Good Life.

Felicity Kendall, winner of Rear of the Year for a record amount of times I believe.
My Dad's bit of fantasy totty.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I've got both these on DVD.

Never knew Good Neighbours was known as the Good Life.

Felicity Kendall, winner of Rear of the Year for a record amount of times I believe.
My Dad's bit of fantasy totty.

Loved Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister! Wonderful humour and wit.

[lamble]

Loved Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister! Wonderful humour and wit.


and also a feeling that the exaggerated elements for comedy, weren't too far removed from actual parliamentary activities.

[lamble]

Whisper this quietly fellow BMW MOA Brits, as we don't want to upset the natives, but isn't Thanks Giving a celebration of a few Brit religious fundamentalist outcasts, setting out on a poorly planned and provisioned trip, managing to steel some food from the locals they found, when they took up squatting rights on a bit of land that was unsuitable to sustain them?

I don't know, but surely you'd think that they (Americans) could have a proper festival, like Bonfire Night. A far more civilised event to celebrate the failure of a religious factions attempts to blow up the King and his Parliament, then the partial hanging before disembowelling of the leading perpetrator. Now that's far more refined and dignified a cause to eat copious quantities.

While we are on the festive topic, what are the chances that Jesus was born on the exact day as the pagan's main winter festival and died on the day of their major spring festival. It's almost as if it were beyond a coincidence, and , well, sort of planned! Gosh!

(Irony throughout button was selected and on)

[tonkandy]

I don't know, but surely you'd think that they (Americans) could have a proper festival, like Bonfire Night.

I dunno about "They", I've been American since 1994. I like Thanksgiving - just completed the Turkey Day 5K - so now I can have extra pie.

[lamble]

I dunno about "They", I've been American since 1994. I like Thanksgiving - just completed the Turkey Day 5K - so now I can have extra pie.

What time?

To eat pumkin pie that is, not do a 5k.
So are you a dual, or single passporter?

[lamble]

So who'll replace McLaren?

The England soccer(-no in this thread it's football, foot kicks ball, football, not player throws or hands off ball and player runs, which would be throwy-runny catchball) so, England's Football Team coach has been fired after 18 months because of non-qualification for the European Championship.

Is it ever really the coaches fault?
The coach should get the best from his players and help the gel as a team, but what if the players available aren't up to the job?
What if someone else's players are simply better?

Is it still the coach who should fall on the sword?

[lamble]

I know that back in England we had a few houses that went"overboard" with lights and decorations, but in the defence of those I saw, there was usually a charity box outside.

Here, despite the fact that it's still November, the place has gone crazy. There are airfields with fewer lights than some of the houses around here. It's like there's a competition to show you appreciate the festivities..."Look at all our lights, we really are fun folk, so much more fun than those over the road, with hardly any lights".

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I dunno about "They", I've been American since 1994. I like Thanksgiving - just completed the Turkey Day 5K - so now I can have extra pie.

Thanksgiving has become my favourite too since arriving on these shores. It has more to do with sincerity and single minded purpose of enjoying the family and being in an attitude of gratitude, as opposed to Christmas where it seems that gifts and commercialism has become the main goal. I saw decorations and Xmas stuff in a store in August...that wa sa shocker....lol

[lamble]

Thanksgiving has become my favourite too since arriving on these shores. It has more to do with sincerity and single minded purpose of enjoying the family and being in an attitude of gratitude, as opposed to Christmas where it seems that gifts and commercialism has become the main goal. I saw decorations and Xmas stuff in a store in August...that wa sa shocker....lol

We walked out of Pier One Furniture store because they were playing Christmas carols...in September! I expect there'll be Easter Eggs next week.

[lamble]

This Saturday BBC America, the Daleks are coming and I think I saw a cyberman in the preview promo too.

Move your settees from the wall. You've been warned.

[twintoaster2]

I have some Brit in me. Never been there but Top Gear is great, and Triumph motorbikes are nice. Before I die I want to go to Ace Cafe... just to say I was there.

[lamble]

I have some Brit in me. Never been there but Top Gear is great, and Triumph motorbikes are nice. Before I die I want to go to Ace Cafe... just to say I was there.

The dead leaves euphamistically called a garnish that accompany sandwiches and all snacks at the Ace, are pathetic, although the tyre kicking themed days are worth a visit. Beware of the high police monioring on the way in and out.

The roads there aren't very bike friendly either. But it is a bit of bike history.
There are better bike venues, Chelsea Bridge at the weekend for instance.

[lamble]

Friday morning sat in a dental surgeon's chair as he removed some of my pallette to be grafted over my cracked tooth and split gum from the pot-hole shock absorber incident in China...and now I'm really missing British boiled to death food, soggy veg, sloppy gravy and gloopy puds.

All the meat, crispy veg and healthy american food...I just can't swallow or chew through it.

Bugger, dribble, slurp and other dental related noises.

[lamble]

I have some Brit in me. Never been there but Top Gear is great, and Triumph motorbikes are nice. Before I die I want to go to Ace Cafe... just to say I was there.

Top Gear has been really good to see again. Glad Hammond came through the car crash and is back. Captain Slow is an incredible able journalist and of course Clarkeson is...well, Clarkeson.

I hope we get QI and the Hairy Bikers, then I'd be as happy as Larry.
Triumph, I'm glad they seem stable again, after years of teetering on the brink. If only Norton could get it together, that would be something to raise a cup of tea for.

Which part of you do you consider to be the Brit bit?

[AirForce]

Just found this thread and thought I'd pop in with my 2-pence worth. I am England born, England raised (in SoCal) and American through naturalization and servicie in the good ole USAF.
Breakfast in our house included such delectable delights as Beans-on-Toast, broiled tomatoes, and those wonderful drippings off the previous nights lamb roast. The lamb of course with mint sauce, not that feeble substitute mint jelly. Dinner was Toad-in-the-Hole, Bubble and Squeek, Bangers and Mash, chips in bronwn gravy, fish and chips, Shepherds Pie, Ploughmans Lunch, Steak and Kidney Pie, and when I was old enough...Steak and Guinness Pie.
Monty Python for comedy?? I graduated to that after cutting my teeth on Goon Show recordings (vinyl not wax cylinder) and Tony Hancock. While I am American by choice, I am still a Limey at heart. I frequently get asked if the GB on the back of my vehicles means I'm a Green Bay fan. Horrors.
One of my postings in the AF was to RAF Lakenheath for a glorious three years. But, alas, that was in my volleyball days and not my motorcycle days.

[lamble]

Just found this thread and thought I'd pop in with my 2-pence worth. I am England born, England raised (in SoCal) and American through naturalization and servicie in the good ole USAF.
Breakfast in our house included such delectable delights as Beans-on-Toast, broiled tomatoes, and those wonderful drippings off the previous nights lamb roast. The lamb of course with mint sauce, not that feeble substitute mint jelly. Dinner was Toad-in-the-Hole, Bubble and Squeek, Bangers and Mash, chips in bronwn gravy, fish and chips, Shepherds Pie, Ploughmans Lunch, Steak and Kidney Pie, and when I was old enough...Steak and Guinness Pie.
Monty Python for comedy?? I graduated to that after cutting my teeth on Goon Show recordings (vinyl not wax cylinder) and Tony Hancock. While I am American by choice, I am still a Limey at heart. I frequently get asked if the GB on the back of my vehicles means I'm a Green Bay fan. Horrors.
One of my postings in the AF was to RAF Lakenheath for a glorious three years. But, alas, that was in my volleyball days and not my motorcycle days.

Chips and gravy...aaahh bisto!
It's more likely to be chips and curry sauce these days though.
Beans on toast threw me for a while when I got here. Vegetarian beans without all those bits of bacon, beef, sausage, maple flavourings etc...just simple beans in tomatoe sauce.
Lamb is another problem, no one seems to eat it here in Seattle...too rich in flavour. Fortunately I found a slaughter house and now have a whole lamb in the freezer, plus a mint bush outside.
I'm a bit late for the goons, although Sellars, Bentine, Milligan and Secombe were regulars on TV as individuals doing their own thing. I believe HRH Prince of Wales is a big Goon fan.
Mid-late 80s I played a bit of American Football, and was trained at Lakenheath on a number of weekend sessions. That was my first ever close encounter with a gun, a doughnut shop and ribs and tabasco sauce on a barbeque-very exotic.

Where were you born in England?

[The_Veg]

soggy veg

Hey, now! :laugh

[lamble]

Hey, now! :laugh


School dinners...feed a teenager for 28p/head...it must have been quality.

[AirForce]

Born in Luton, emigrated with me Mum and Dad at the ripe old age of 14 months. The whole family, with the exception of my brother and one cousin (the Yanks), are all Brits. So you practiced American football at RAF Lakenheath?? I was stationed there from Mar 86 - Mar 89 as a gas passer. Not the rich kind in the hospital, but the greasy ones out on the flightline with the aircraft.
I was tempted to go out and play rugby because my Dad is a former rugger and he wanted me to give it a try...no pun intended. I was young, fast, and wiry and everyone on the team was a darned sight larger and meaner than I was. So I stuck to volleyball and the rest of the world's football.
I had a ball back in England and my only regret was working so much left very little time for travel. Not that I didn't get in my fair share of trips around the countryside sampling local fermented beverages.:drink

[lamble]

Born in Luton, emigrated with me Mum and Dad at the ripe old age of 14 months. The whole family, with the exception of my brother and one cousin (the Yanks), are all Brits. So you practiced American football at RAF Lakenheath?? I was stationed there from Mar 86 - Mar 89 as a gas passer. Not the rich kind in the hospital, but the greasy ones out on the flightline with the aircraft.
I was tempted to go out and play rugby because my Dad is a former rugger and he wanted me to give it a try...no pun intended. I was young, fast, and wiry and everyone on the team was a darned sight larger and meaner than I was. So I stuck to volleyball and the rest of the world's football.
I had a ball back in England and my only regret was working so much left very little time for travel. Not that I didn't get in my fair share of trips around the countryside sampling local fermented beverages.:drink

Lakenheath, Upper Heyford and the base near Bedford where the large circular henge like radio ariel was. We trained there in 84 and 85...85 being the first league season of BAFL. I'd played wing at Rugby but had two England youth Internationals who were twins, at centres, so never saw the ball. Played world footie at a decent amateur level.
I'm finding the US a little difficult to break into, as I don't want to do what I did, but get pigeon holed. Looks like I'll have to create my own business again, only focused on what I fancy, rather than what I was good at (see www.unchainedworld.com).

History and associated depth are what I miss most. That and the fact I believe the US is a country scared to the point of paranoia. Frightened about stepping outside the politically correct constraints it's placed on itself and afraid of what other people will think.
Frightened of themselves. It's very strange and hard to explain. It's like the Land of the Free is trying to incarcerate itself and no one is doing it but fellow americans to one another on one hand, while on the other the country is ready to fight anyone who is felt to be attacking the very freedoms americans are withdrawing from themselves.
It might just be the people I encounter.

[tghsmith]

missed a few
docter in the house
last of the summer wine
hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
anything monty python

the new" Docter Who" is well worth the price to get it on dvd , three seasons so far(still great writing plus they might have spent more than a couple of pounds on effects)

[GlobalRider]

How to be able to afford it, tips on budget travel.

I could have used those tips in the past. £80 for a room in a B&B...in the country! Then £18 for a dinner than wasn't all that good. :scratch

I can understand why so many Brits living here would never consider moving back. Ask my co-workers! You have to earn £75K a year in the UK just to make ends meet.

Places I'd want to tour there: Wales, Scotland and my old stomping grounds in Ireland. Bring good rain gear.

[lamble]

I could have used those tips in the past. £80 for a room in a B&B...in the country! Then £18 for a dinner than wasn't all that good. :scratch

I can understand why so many Brits living here would never consider moving back. Ask my co-workers! You have to earn £75K a year in the UK just to make ends meet.

Places I'd want to tour there: Wales, Scotland and my old stomping grounds in Ireland. Bring good rain gear.

80 quid for B&B, they must have seen you coming. 40 pounds is a max and 50 would get you a great place. An 18 pound dinner is a three course out of town price incl wine and 75k per year is a good salary, not great and not London central, but good. I'd say mid 30k was nearer the norm.

For cheapness, look at hostels. Traditionally they are old stately homes where the upkeep was too great and so have been converted YHA are fine and located in some splendid spots, plus they don't have that C element of the YMCA.

Eat cheap, get a takeaway Indian, chinese, pizza (please choose unchained), and pubs are always a good bet for socialising and fair to great food (there's a vast discrepancy).

Another tip, contact Motor Cycle News and tell them your planned route, see if they can help, they may even have a bike swap contact or two.

I know the exchange rate is crippling at the moment, but leave it until the next election here in the US, and the brief optimism that always comes may create a change.

[lamble]

missed a few
docter in the house
last of the summer wine
hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
anything monty python

the new" Docter Who" is well worth the price to get it on dvd , three seasons so far(still great writing plus they might have spent more than a couple of pounds on effects)


Can I please add,
Alas Smith and Jones
Not the nine o'clock news
Morecombe and Wise Christmas Shows
Only Fools and Horses
The Goodies-(of their time)
The Royal Family-(this isn't a political republican jibe but a brilliantly constructed comedy based around the most mundane of sets, a family sitting watching TV).

Drama has been good too; the BBC do produce fantastically lavish and detailed period peices.
And of course Natural History.

[tghsmith]

add to list

the irish RM
anything hosted or narrated by david attenbourgh(dicky as tom would say in waiting for god)

[GlobalRider]

80 quid for B&B, they must have seen you coming. 40 pounds is a max and 50 would get you a great place.

Near the Euro Tunnel. But after telling them that I didn't want to buy the place, just rent a room for the night, they dropped it down to £50. After the hosts were good enough to book the tunnel crossing for me at a £36 saving, the whole deal was more reasonable, even after the extra £4 they charged for making the booking.

But £80 to start...come on...:rolleyes


An 18 pound dinner is a three course out of town price incl wine.

The Black Bull on the Canterbury Road in Folkestone. Not three course and no wine...just a beer with a sausage platter. Greasy...and where did I put those Rolaids.


75k per year is a good salary, not great and not London central, but good. I'd say mid 30k was nearer the norm.

I was surprised at the low salary of an engineer that we had dinner with while he was here helping out with those British subs that we bought...and don't work. :stick


I know the exchange rate is crippling at the moment, but leave it until the next election here in the US, and the brief optimism that always comes may create a change.

I hope not. I love the US dollar where it stands or I wouldn't have made a few thousand dollars in purchases down there since August.

[Tinboatcapt]

I've had the priviledge of two trips across the pond.

The first we stayed across from Hyde Park and took the Underground to the usual spots, Picadilly, Tower, and the abbey. With only two days we didn't have much time for more. However it wetted my appetite for more. I and some friends went back for a long week visit with a specific mission to see the museums.

We stayed in Victoria so jumping on the underground, the bus, or the train (to Cambridge for the trip to Duxford) was just a short walk to the station. An all day ticket on the underground was definately the way to travel I REALLY liked traveling on it.
jim

[lamble]

I've had the priviledge of two trips across the pond.

The first we stayed across from Hyde Park and took the Underground to the usual spots, Picadilly, Tower, and the abbey. With only two days we didn't have much time for more. However it wetted my appetite for more. I and some friends went back for a long week visit with a specific mission to see the museums.

We stayed in Victoria so jumping on the underground, the bus, or the train (to Cambridge for the trip to Duxford) was just a short walk to the station. An all day ticket on the underground was definately the way to travel I REALLY liked traveling on it.
jim

Duxford...for years I lived only a few miles away and only went once. Ironic since having moved to Seattle I've been to the Boeing air museum twice.

[hector]

English man here too. I'll field any questions you care to ask

[lamble]

English man here too. I'll field any questions you care to ask

Where's here, or are you in hiding from the restless colonials?
Where in England?

I better point out I'm using colonials in jest, I know some can get touchy about it.

[hector]

No offence taken, I left the colonials behind! I'm in So-cal.

Formerly London....

[lamble]

Fellow ex pats, do you feel safer in a country where you can have a gun to protect yourself, or one where only the criminals and police have them?

Sorry Americans, you get too emotive on this subject and shouldn't particpate unless of course you've experienced both sides of the coin.

This isn't a moral, pro or condemnational question, just one based on current news and your feelings.

I personally don't feel safer with guns around, never have, never will...the greater the amount of weaponry I've been around, the more weaponry related accidents that have taken place and most have been traumatic.

[tessler]

No offence taken, I left the colonials behind! I'm in So-cal.

Formerly London....

Hi Guys, I don't mind the colonial connotation at all!

Perhaps next year when we celebrate the Big Gig 3, we can hold court in the Fraunces Tavern, in lower Manhattan, which opened it doors for business in colonial New-York in 1762... :eat

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/62/Day113iwalltourdk.jpg/260px-Day113iwalltourdk.jpg

[lamble]

Hi Guys, I don't mind the colonial connotation at all!

Perhaps next year when we celebrate the Big Gig 3, we can hold court in the Fraunces Tavern, in lower Manhattan, which opened it doors for business in colonial New-York in 1762... :eat

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/62/Day113iwalltourdk.jpg/260px-Day113iwalltourdk.jpg

Real brickwork and four floors, it looks very inviting. It barely warrants the tower monicker now though in comparison to what's around it, does it?

[Paul_F]

Just tuned in to this thread. I was only telling my wife (Manchester born) recently that I feel more English than Canadian. She feels the same. This is somewhat strange as we've lived in Canada for almost 60 years.

I was born in Hackney (London) which would make me a Cockney by birth. Emigrated with the family (and grandmother) when I was 18 months old. Therefore no English dialect. A good number of my older cousins also emigrated at about the same time. Hence most of my Canadian relatives still have a touch of English accents. (The cousins in England haven't lost theirs. I speak with them frequently throughout the year.)

I grew up in a family with English humour and English expressions. When working, I often feigned laughter at North American jokes. I seldom get N. Am. jokes but English humour always hits home. Fortunately BBC Canada, PBS and TVO usually programme enough Brit comedy and drama to keep me watching the odd television show.

Went back in '65 as a teenager and met the other cousins and aunts and uncles in London. My first visit to Soho. What a blast!

My wife and I travelled throughout Scotland, England, France and Spain for three months in '71 on two Honda mopeds. We stopped in London for six weeks, staying with lots of family on both sides.

The British Museum, actually. What an amazing day that was. We really enjoyed the British Museum as well. But we spent five mornings seeing different parts of it, then would spend the afternoons visiting other sites. In the evenings, we would spend time with family, either at their homes or in pubs. It was a very civilized way of sightseeing, without rushing anything. And no, we still did not cover all of the British Museum. Like the Smithsonian, there is too much for us to see in just one day. Besides, we did not have return tickets to Canada and therefore had no schedule. It was good being young!

Our riding in England would frequently change back and forth from rain to sunshine and back to rain. To this day, I enjoy riding in the rain. It brings back memories of that trip in 1971.

Returned in 1999 with my wife and in 2001 with my sister. Love the history of the place, the scenery (especially Scotland, The Lake District and Wales) and of course, family. Hate the price of everything over there. My cousins however, love visiting Canada and the US as their currency buys them so much compared to what they can buy at home.

There is something intangible that makes us still feel British. Maybe our dual citizenship is part of it. I don't know. (Notice my English spellings that I've never given up?)

One of my retirement goals is to walk from coast to the other in northern England. (I'll have to do this alone as my wife can no longer handle long walks.)

Our four kids however, being second generation to this continent have none of this emotional ties that my wife and I possess.

And thus ends my Brit ramble.

[lamble]

Just tuned in to this thread. I was only telling my wife (Manchester born) recently that I feel more English than Canadian. She feels the same. This is somewhat strange as we've lived in Canada for almost 60 years.

I was born in Hackney (London) which would make me a Cockney by birth. Emigrated with the family (and grandmother) when I was 18 months old. Therefore no English dialect. A good number of my older cousins also emigrated at about the same time. Hence most of my Canadian relatives still have a touch of English accents. (The cousins in England haven't lost theirs. I speak with them frequently throughout the year.)

I grew up in a family with English humour and English expressions. When working, I often feigned laughter at North American jokes. I seldom get N. Am. jokes but English humour always hits home. Fortunately BBC Canada, PBS and TVO usually programme enough Brit comedy and drama to keep me watching the odd television show.

Went back in '65 as a teenager and met the other cousins and aunts and uncles in London. My first visit to Soho. What a blast!

My wife and I travelled throughout Scotland, England, France and Spain for three months in '71 on two Honda mopeds. We stopped in London for six weeks, staying with lots of family on both sides.

We really enjoyed the British Museum as well. But we spent five mornings seeing different parts of it, then would spend the afternoons visiting other sites. In the evenings, we would spend time with family, either at their homes or in pubs. It was a very civilized way of sightseeing, without rushing anything. And no, we still did not cover all of the British Museum. Like the Smithsonian, there is too much for us to see in just one day. Besides, we did not have return tickets to Canada and therefore had no schedule. It was good being young!

Our riding in England would frequently change back and forth from rain to sunshine and back to rain. To this day, I enjoy riding in the rain. It brings back memories of that trip in 1971.

Returned in 1999 with my wife and in 2001 with my sister. Love the history of the place, the scenery (especially Scotland, The Lake District and Wales) and of course, family. Hate the price of everything over there. My cousins however, love visiting Canada and the US as their currency buys them so much compared to what they can buy at home.

There is something intangible that makes us still feel British. Maybe our dual citizenship is part of it. I don't know. (Notice my English spellings that I've never given up?)

One of my retirement goals is to walk from coast to the other in northern England. (I'll have to do this alone as my wife can no longer handle long walks.)

Our four kids however, being second generation to this continent have none of this emotional ties that my wife and I possess.

And thus ends my Brit ramble.

Strange that it's always the humour that stands out as a differentiator. It must be genetic as there's no way an 18 month old can have picked up the nuances and subtleties.
Either that or N.American humour/humor, just isn't funny enough. I've yet to warm to the idea that having swear words shouted off a stage, warrants a whoop of glea. Some I like, Stephen Colbert and a bloke called Black (not Jack) are good.

I spent a very miserable night at a Vancouver comedy club, having no common reference to the material being presented.

Isn't it Hackney where the Olympic Stadium will be, or is that Stratford (the London one, not the West Mids Shakespeare version)?

Got to admire the reliability of Honda mopeds.

[Paul_F]

Got to admire the reliability of Honda mopeds. You know those bikes did have the odd malfunction on that trip, but that was never a problem as there was always a Honda dealership close at hand when needed. (Can't always say that about BMW.) Actually, once on our return from France to England, my bike broke down and a cargo van pulled over. The driver asked what the problem was and suggested I put the moped in his van to go to his favourite Honda dealer. Told him I couldn't as my wife who was trailing me would be along soon. He told me not to worry about her and opened his sliding door to reveal Janet already inside with her malfunctioning bike. First time the bikes broke down at the same time.

The mechanic that he took us to derided us for riding these bikes from Edinburgh to southern England as they were not made for such long trips. He was totally blown away when we told him that we had already done the Edinburgh / southern England trek and were returning from Spain and southern France. Believe it or not, we crossed the French Alps and Pyrenees. Unfortunately at the time, no Honda dealer would service these mopeds in Canada, hence one of our uncles sold them the following spring at almost the same price as we had paid. A very economical ride indeed.

If we had returned the following spring as intended, we were going to buy Triumph Tiger and Bonneville bikes. At the time, I believe the prices were $ 600 and $ 800, duty free, including shipping home to Canada after the European tour. Unfortunately, over the winter, we thought that I should look for a job with my degree and settle down. Mistake. Not many jobs available at the time. Should have returned to the UK for the Triumphs and the touring.

[coutel]

Fellow ex pats, do you feel safer in a country where you can have a gun to protect yourself, or one where only the criminals and police have them?

........

I personally don't feel safer with guns around, never have, never will...the greater the amount of weaponry I've been around, the more weaponry related accidents that have taken place and most have been traumatic.

Good question.

I am an ex Brit Police officer now living in Tx, but have also lived in Fl and Tn.......

Living in Texas, if someone was to break into our home with us in residence, I would use a gun for our protection as my first thought would be to assume that the offender may be armed with a weapon and we were at risk.......not something that I would immediately assume in the UK.

If someone broke into my house in the UK then I would deal with them the old fashioned way, no need for a weapon.

I do not live in a big city and do not really venture out much at night. I generally feel safer here in the US, but appreciate that if a situation were to arise then it could escalate to the use of weapons and people could be seriously hurt or killed.

With regards to gun control, I have come to realise that what works in the UK would not work in the US, and what works in the US would not work in the UK.

If you were to give the same rights of gun ownership to everyone in the UK then there would probably be a blood bath as everyone would start shooting each other. Fighting seems to be a British past time and the less weapons available the better:)



When in Rome and all that:)

[lamble]

Good question.

I am an ex Brit Police officer now living in Tx, but have also lived in Fl and Tn.......

Living in Texas, if someone was to break into our home with us in residence, I would use a gun for our protection as my first thought would be to assume that the offender may be armed with a weapon and we were at risk.......not something that I would immediately assume in the UK.

If someone broke into my house in the UK then I would deal with them the old fashioned way, no need for a weapon.

I do not live in a big city and do not really venture out much at night. I generally feel safer here in the US, but appreciate that if a situation were to arise then it could escalate to the use of weapons and people could be seriously hurt or killed.

With regards to gun control, I have come to realise that what works in the UK would not work in the US, and what works in the US would not work in the UK.

If you were to give the same rights of gun ownership to everyone in the UK then there would probably be a blood bath as everyone would start shooting each other. Fighting seems to be a British past time and the less weapons available the better:)



When in Rome and all that:)

I like that approach, not black, not white, grey and rounded with smudged edges, all in all considered from both sides. I note that there's another thread here that's heading off down the polarity divergence route that appears common. It must be something in the water!

Where did you police?

[coutel]

Where did you police?

Thames Valley :hide

[lamble]

Thames Valley :hide

I rode with a guy called Spit a few times. Turned out to be an Essex Bike Officer until they were disbanded, and so were the other 8 guys I rode with. Never ridden so fast, or so smoothly.

Ipswich's Suffolk Constabulary ran a very creditable bike centric weekend. Well worth the time and money and their first on scene doc was a real eye opener. I believe some complained about his gorish approach, but I found it compelling stuff.

Glad to say all my dealings with Her Majesty's were convivial, although I never encountered Thames Valley's force.

My only reservation about your first comment, and I accept this maybe rose tinted glasses time, is, I'm not so sure there would be a Gun Fight at the UK coral. While lads might like a punch up-and these can get seriously out of hand- I'd hope that shooting would be seen as an escalation not to be taken. Fingers crossed we never find out.

[lamble]

The Now Show with Punt and Dennis is back on BBC Radio Four, Fridays at 6:30 UK I think. I'm downloading the podcasts. Excellent satire, I'd highly recommend this to those of you with any anglo-humour traits.


You'll be able to track it down from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/nowshow.shtml

BBC are also playing Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...link from same page.

[lamble]

Arsenal and Liverpool, the two only undefeated Premier teams, lose this weekend.

Get this, to Middlesborough and Reading, two numpty-nuts teams, if ever there were.

On a more serious note...BBC interview details how Iran and US worked together to eliminate Taliban in 2002, along with Russians. Then USA name Iran part of Evil empire, despite Iran offering to stop supporting Islamic Jihad and Hezballah. Apparently the US didn't even get back to them to discuss things.
BBC sources...US National Security Council and US Diplomatic employees responsible for unofficial negotiations, with...... Iran! Oooops!
Anyone would think the neo cons wanted even fewer Christmas cards.
Any sweep stakes being placed on next Axis country to get attacked and when?

Wonder what Gordon Brown (texture like sun) or whoever comes next (Cameron?) will do this time around, afterall, it's sort of what ended Tony's tenure?

What do you think might happen?

[lamble]

Visa renewal.

It's some time off, but already impacting my ride to South America, but in May 2009 we have to go back to the UK to...now this is where I get confused, as we have Visas to 2013 it's not renewing, nor is it extending, it just seems to be a requirement... go out of the country, to pay money to the US Embassy, so we can come straight back.

I assume it's not just us, and you visa holders, L1 or L2 I can't recall, will have had to do the same, so here's the question after that extended preamble....

How long did it take to get the visa visa, or whatever it is we are being asked to buy?

There's a thought that we might just go to South Africa instead of coming back here, there's a lot of water and bridges between now and then. However, I'm concerned that I may need to set an earlier departure date for the Tea and a Wee tour, especially as the Falklands appear to be a bit of a sod to get into and out off, in less than a month.

[AirForce]

Duxford...for years I lived only a few miles away and only went once. Ironic since having moved to Seattle I've been to the Boeing air museum twice.

Ahhh, Duxford. I had the distinct pleasure while stationed at RAF Lakenheath to work the AvGas truck at the airshow. Everyone thought I was crazy to be asking to fuel all those "old" planes. Refueling the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was one of the highlights of my career. Jet noise may be the sound of freedom, but prop noise is the sound of history.

[lamble]

Ahhh, Duxford. I had the distinct pleasure while stationed at RAF Lakenheath to work the AvGas truck at the airshow. Everyone thought I was crazy to be asking to fuel all those "old" planes. Refueling the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was one of the highlights of my career. Jet noise may be the sound of freedom, but prop noise is the sound of history.

Spitfires and Hurricanes may be the sound of history, but are also and always will be the sound of freedom too...Battle of Britain, "Never has so much, been owed by so many, to so few".

[lamble]

Just ordered the pork pie for Boxing day, already have the branston and the Hayward's pickles and a chunk of suitably stinky stilton in.

Christmas day...not sure if we should do the turkey dinner thing again (post Thanks Giving), but have a turkey in, just in case.

Mince pies and After Eights, plus a dozen crackers with obligatory crappy plastic gifts and recycled jokes.

Our family tradition is a late breakfast of Bucks Fizz and scrambled egg with smoked salmon, then about 2:30 the indulgence that runs until bedtime.

[henzilla]

Just ordered the pork pie for Boxing day, already have the branston and the Hayward's pickles and a chunk of suitably stinky stilton in.
Our family tradition is a late breakfast of Bucks Fizz and scrambled egg with smoked salmon, then about 2:30 the indulgence that runs until bedtime.

Got my invitation for Boxing Day from my LT riding Brits. Felt like I was the foreigner last year:laugh I will have some of that funny named food...it didn't kill me last year. CHEERS!

[lamble]

Got my invitation for Boxing Day from my LT riding Brits. Felt like I was the foreigner last year:laugh I will have some of that funny named food...it didn't kill me last year. CHEERS!

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger...sometimes you get a bit sick first though!

Don't ask for your pork pie to be hot...they'll laugh at you.

Here's one you can throw at them...ask if there's any 'picallily', and if there isn't frown as though you mean it, then say ..."but surely? You'll be telling me next there's no cumberland sauce!"

Or as cheese is served ask, "Do you happen to have purchance, a wedge of Bishop's stinky finger?"

If there is, then good on them, you are feasting indeed.

Have a great time.

[sgtboring]

I was fortunate enough to be stationed at RAF Lakenheath from 1991-1994.

I rode my first BMW a r80gs all over the UK and took it across the channel a few times on the over night ferry to Vanhoc NE.

I loved the cloths, food, humor, and the life style in general. I still think of blending my "best ofs" the UK and America to make one great place to live..Although, I hear that would be called Australia? or New Zealand?

I think I bore my wife with my tales of, Boxing day dinners of 500 year old farms. Formal afternoon teas, and all night lock ins at SlimeLights in London.

The only thing I have left from those years is an old green wool sweater I bought in Scotland on a cold ride back from Holy Lock Scotland.

[AirForce]

SgtBoring...where did you work at RAF Lakenheath? I was POL (Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants or Perverts, Oddballs, Lunatics) from 1986-1989. Loved my time in England and would have happily done another tour.

[lamble]

I was fortunate enough to be stationed at RAF Lakenheath from 1991-1994.

I rode my first BMW a r80gs all over the UK and took it across the channel a few times on the over night ferry to Vanhoc NE.

I loved the cloths, food, humor, and the life style in general. I still think of blending my "best ofs" the UK and America to make one great place to live..Although, I hear that would be called Australia? or New Zealand?

I think I bore my wife with my tales of, Boxing day dinners of 500 year old farms. Formal afternoon teas, and all night lock ins at SlimeLights in London.

The only thing I have left from those years is an old green wool sweater I bought in Scotland on a cold ride back from Holy Lock Scotland.


Is it an Argyle sweater? They last for ages and it's due to the fact that Scottish sheep don't shrink when it rains...that's science that is! ;)

[sgtboring]

I worked at the hospital mostly night shift the whole time I was there. when I got out in 94 I thought I would never go back but I did in October of 2001. (in the Army). Just last year I made the decision to finish out my 20 in the Air National Guard. I just came back from POL school at Sheppard AFB at Thanksgiving. I road out and back to TX from PA on my RT. Its good to be back in blue for these last few years. However, with all the cut backs and base closings I am not sure I will last.

[lamble]

Just packed Christmas away for the year, turkey curry in the freezer and all that, and then listened to the Now Show review of the year on BBC Radio 4's Friday Comedy podcast.

Absolutely irreverant and all the better for it. The religious piece is great, so is the German polar bear song.

Well worth seeking out, and not too localised that our US cousins couldn't enjoy it. I hope the laughs last all year.

[lamble]

Went to see Sweeny Todd last night.

Depp's Larnd'n accent is much better than Van Dykes' cor blimey Marys.

I'm guessing the worst ever accents has to be Sean Connery as the Russian in Hunt for Red October, or as the Portugese bloke in those dire There can be only one, live forever films...as you can tell, I've put them so far back in my memory I can't even remember what they are called, in fact Connery doing any accent has been fairly awful.

I can't think of any worse, can you?

Have there been any particularly shocking american accents by Brit actors, it's hard for me to tell, you all sound alike?:dunno

I bet that Brit floppy haired dandy and whore fiddler, Hugh Grant, might struggle with New York, or deep South. But I guess he'll never be cast for such a part.

[lamble]

Sorry to even be aware of this, but it flashed up as being "News".

Brittany Spears, speaks British.:dunno

I beg to differ! Not in any way imaginable can that incoherent blathering be described as, "speaking British".
Even the cursing was very inadequate from an anglo saxon perspective.

Seems she's an extremely troubled person, despite pop successes. I hope it sorts itself out for her and her kids.

I'm available to teach them British if there's a need.:thumb

[lamble]

There are nice accents in "The Atonement" and very proper in conduct making it refreshing. One scene is a chaotic of war wounded that arrived from Dunkirk. By days end the wounded are cared for and tucked in their beds. Order was established and very one was proper from start to finish. Conduct to me makes the difference, proper dress, proper manners during social events despite the presence of social class differences.


I can hear the difference in the Scottish and the Welsh accent. Where are the boundary lines on the English accent ? Does Essex and Manchester have their own ? Does Yorkshire use different expressions or older words ?

Because of the division of England in a diagonal line from NE to SW created by the Viking/nordic invasions and the saxon/celtic populace, then the Francs influence of the Normans, the accent situation is very localised. With 20 miles of each other, towns may have distict variances. Counties certainly have a fluctuation across them and certain cities such as Liverpool, Newcastle, Middlesborough, Birmingham, London, Norwich and many others, all have a peculiarity.

There's a book by Melvin Bragg, that's well worth a look at: The Adventures of English
The Biography of a Language ISBN 1-55970-710-0

It not only addresses the origins and development, but also contemporary English and even that most distressing of versions, American English :usa

An excellent read.

Then of course there's the Queen's English, BBC English and Estuary English, which have all come into being in more recent times. There's geographical, historical and class influences to consider, so it's no wonder no one can understand what I'm talking about as I was born in the Midlands, where we were subject to a mix of most of the influences. Fortunately Shakespeare was a Midlander, so we have some credibility.

[lamble]

When American students attend English Institutions of learning do they have to take English 101 ? Or is it similar to my Fair Lady by walking around with marbles in their months saying the rain in Spain lie mainly on the plain ?

Pigmallion is indeed a prerequisite. I think that Americans are allowed to speak with their accents in class as we Brits can understand most of what you say, (not necessarily why you are saying it though) unless they are taking part in classic English theatre daaarlings!
Plums in the mouth rather than marbles, just don't swallow the stones.

[lamble]

Is the Cotswolds considered the middle kingdom ? Do the sheep there have an accent ? Perhaps a stiff upper lip bah ? :dunno

The Cotswolds in my opinion are an island of chocolate box lid loveliness, that are either the southern most point of the Midlands, the northern most part of the Home Counties. There's a hotel in Upper Slaughter that's absolutely fantastic. It's called the Lords of the Manor.

www.lordsofthemanor.com

The problem with the Cotswolds is that it's become a trendy second home location for the wealthy. There are only so many shops selling tappenade, oils and scented candles that a community can support, outside of tourist season.

Bourton-on-the-Water used to be a regular school trip.

I never got on personal talking terms with the sheep, although a few lamb cutlets did enjoy my company.

Here's a Brit thing...Edinburgh Woolmill shops. What's an Edinburgh Woolmill got to do with the Cotswolds or any bloody tourist area you can name (outside of Butlins internment camps) outside of Edinburgh?

Who eats all the fudge, as there's always a fudge emporium in tourist sites?

"Well kids here we are at Canterbury Cathedral, a truely historic site. What can we do to best remember the lessons we learned here?
I know let's buy a Scottish jumper and a tub of fudge!":dunno

It's up there with postcards that are black...anywherename AT NIGHT!...oh what a laugh those are. Imagine the endless joy you'd get from looking at it.

So yes the Cotswolds. Very quaint, gorgeous stonework and colouring. Worth a trip yes I'd say so. While in the area, visit Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Churchill, but much more than that. One of the most splendid grand houses in the UK, with magnificent gardens and a link to the USA.
www.blenheimpalace.com

You know, ancient title (Dukes of Marlboro) needs money. Money craves title (Vanderbilt)...marriage of convenience.

[lamble]

I always felt the Cotwolds was more like a fancy tin of shortbread. Fancy container with contents too starchy to swallow. :dunno

Why do British School Lads go to Canterbury ? Such a tainted place of Monks having high levels of testosterone in their life of celibacy to inspire special (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3111435.ece)communions. Doesn't the place have a long history of impropriety unresolved by public flogging and occasional beheading ? Furthermore Canterbury is anti-war going back to St. Anselm hatred for the Crusades. If Canterbury was a force in England, the nation may have seen a sunset alot earlier in history.

Didn't one of the Kings get entangled in a Canterbury Tale ? :laugh One of the Richards ?

Henry II is the King most associated with Canterbury, having either sanctioned or implied that to murder the then current Archbishop Thomas Beckett 1100s would find favour.

The self flaggilation was established as an atonement during the pilgramage to Canterbury that Henry took upon himself. They had been mates, but fell out.

St Thomas of Canterbury was a working class guy who got into politics, then was posted to the Archbishop gig as a political allie. But he changed his mind or at least disagreed (if I recall, he was put in the job and expected to follow the King's will, but started to take the position seriously and may have had a moral revelation, so backed the church against the Monarch). Henry was French and spent most of his time there, so any political power base in England that wasn't toeing the line would have found displeasure.

The Crusades were a major taxation black cloud over the country, and not that popular at all, with no really obvious benefit (oil wasn't an issue, nor was enrichment of uranium). There was a battle in 1290's in Austria with Saladin, where if it hadn't been raining, we'd have been Muslims and so would Americans, so the Crusades did help forestall that front although most of the Med fell under the Islamic influence and was the better for it in many enlightened ways, and as you are no doubt aware, the Crusades ended in failure.

I like shortbread. Sweet bread, now that gets us back to the sheep in the Cotswolds.

[lamble]

The magic of the FA Cup.

Havant, a small little town have played umpteen matches and now been drawn against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
The FA Cup is a knock out competition, one game decides each confrontation until from all the amateur and pro teams, only two remain.

Havant are an amateur outfit, not even in the top league of amateurs. Liverpool were champions of Europe a couple of years ago and are one of the top clubs in the world.
Win draw or lose, Havant will be set up financially for years.

Imagine a highschool team playing the superbowl champs. That's what this is.

Oh yep, if you want to go to Liverpool, this is the year. It's European City of Culture this year. Lots happening, not just the Beattles.

[lamble]

I hear a fourth Premiership team has been bought by American Investors...
Liverpool
Manchester United
Now, Derby County
who's the fourth?

Before you know it, they'll be calling it football rather than soccer!

[tessler]

Great article in today's New York Times, thought I'd share :)

Britain Seeks Its Essence, and Finds Punch Lines (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/world/europe/26motto.html)

To be seen at the races at Ascot is undeniably a British tradition. Summing up national values, though, appears debatable.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/01/26/world/26motto-inline-650.jpg (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/world/europe/26motto.html)

[lamble]

Yep sums up us Brits quite nicely...a motto? What for?
Just get on with governing you bunch of time wasting, money frittering numpties.

If you are a Brit, you are. And if you aren't, then that's not your fault we still like most of you :thumb


FA CUP update:

Liverpool go behind twice to a team 123 places below them in the league, but win 5-2.

Arsenal through and Chelsea too. The final big 4 team, Man Utd play Tottenham tomorrow.

[lamble]

Not been here for a while, but this weekend did have a touch of Britishness about it, as Ispent most of it explaining the soccer football thing.

Reason...motorcycle soccer match. 3 per side, vintage 125 trails bikes, a field with a llama in it and a river that the ball kept going into.

Not exactly Man Utd or Chelsea in the European Cup Final, but then they didn't have to keep stopping to flip the sausages and burgers on the fire.

There's a website, motorcyclesoccer.com (It should be football, but what can I say any longer, that will change things?)

[lamble]

We are coming up to the renewal of visa time, you know the Gov't rip off where despite being given a 7 year visa, you have to leave the USA, go to their embassy and pay out money, just so you can come back for the four remaining years that they'd given you in the first place.

Anyone have any advice on smoothing this through. Especially, if job titles have changed.

It's a bit administrative as a topic, but it would be useful to hear from someone who'd been through it.

Cheers.

[lamble]

I see BBC America have the re-mastered Monty Python's on tomorrow.

Is it just me or was 90% of their show's content rubbish?

How come its such a big thing over here?

It's as if to prove I am a Brit, I need to be able to quote MPFC verbatim.
I much prefered the Goodies, but that may be because I wasn't old enough to understand MPFC first time round, and then it seemed to be outdated second time it appeared. Bit like I just missed punk.

[tonkandy]

Is it just me or was 90% of their show's content rubbish?



It's just you.

[lamble]

You are so right, my mistake. I did mean 99%

[lamble]

Loving Newsnight on BBC America, especially with their take on all things US. Paxman just asks the questions that need asking.

"So now, don't you feel guilty?"
To a guy who sanctioned the "war on terror", based on WMD falacious pronouncements.

"What do you say to people who just think you are an egomaniac without any chance of winning Mr Nader?"

It's not one side or the other that gets this treatment. He's fair and pointed at all political affiliations.

I'm praising his style, that's all, before anyone gets all angry and starts posting nasty things here. He's done research (or people have done it for him). It's not interveiwing laced with platitudes, to coincide with the launch of a new book.

Sometimes to appreciate what is happening at home, you need to look from afar.

[lamble]

Noticed another thread here and just wondered, as I've not seen it, do any Brits ride with flags on their bikes?

If we do, then I've never seen it in the UK, or in Europe.

If we don't, why not?

[lockster]

Hi, not sure if any one is still out there but YES brits are still joining. Im from Huddersfield, W - Yorks and now live in Boston, MA
So please feel free to reply and converse....

Lockster

[lamble]

Had the best ever Yorkshire pud in Huddersfield, one of those giant ones, but home made, with sausage, mash and onion gravy.:eat :eat :eat

[lockster]

My mouth is watering just thinking about a giant Yorkshire Pud.
I'm actually off to Blighty on Thurs. Taking my american wife over for her first Brit wedding. Lets see if she can handle the pace...Not even sure if I can any more !
Trying to get some lads together that I met on the Pemi Camp excursion in a few weeks time and go camping again. How's your riding going this year ? Also trying to save up for a new seat on the GS 1200 ( 05 ) as the stock is paramount to biking terrorism !
Ride safe, Lockster

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28209375@N08/?saved=1

[lamble]

Summer arrived in Seattle recently and there are few places better when it does. Rode up in BC at an HU meet and that was great. Done a few rides across teh Cascade mountains, but planning for the Tierra del Fuego is my main focus for a ride this year and next.

USA isn't a bad place to ride around, and gas is so cheap!

[AirForce]

Ahhhhh, Yorkshire Pud...I'm adding that to my list of foods for Mum to cook when she visits later this week. The old girl is still a fantastic cook and I'll be taking advantage while I can because this broken shoulder and foot are going to heal eventually

[lamble]

Ahhhhh, Yorkshire Pud...I'm adding that to my list of foods for Mum to cook when she visits later this week. The old girl is still a fantastic cook and I'll be taking advantage while I can because this broken shoulder and foot are going to heal eventually


What else is on the list for your guest chef?
How about shepherd's pie, made with lamb not beef like over here. That's cottage pie, that's what beef is, lamb and shepherd-sheep herder-not coincidence!

Custard on anything.
A steamed pud.
Sausage rolls.
A trifle...made one recently, plenty of sherry soaked sponge, our American guests went wild for it.

[lamble]

What do fellow Brits do on the 4th July?

Why don't we Brits have a National Day, we've a vast history to be proud of, yet militarily we only celebrate peace and the end of conflict, and even then only nominally now.

Is it because we have too much history and it's all got a little complex and mixed up?
Is it because we've lost our jingoistic needs?
Is it that we lost as many battles as we won (not based on any stats, but although we did win enough wars to create the largest empire ever (along with an ability to do admin very well, which is how we managed to file India away as part of the empire for so long), there are catalogues of defeats and mistakes that lead to loss of life, unneccessarily)?

Is it because rather than gaining a clean independence, we always seemed to just merge with those that invaded, the Vikings, the Frielanders, the Normans, uncle tom cobbly and all, so have no date (although I do believe the 4th of July is just nominal and has no real relevance in historical fact, so we could have plumped for a day too)?

Who knows, with globalisation the way it is and trick or treat catching on, perhaps we might end up with 4th July as a holiday too. We'd just call it something else...such as...(answers on a post card and remember your neighbours are probably American and they have guns!)

[BeemerMike]

What do fellow Brits do on the 4th July?

The 4th of July. The day when America said to Great Britain, "And now, something completely different!" :usa

[lamble]

The 4th of July. The day when America said to Great Britain, "And now, something completely different!" :usa

Is it poigiant that you chose a comedy quip?

[BeemerMike]

Is it poigiant that you chose a comedy quip?

Monty, what is this . . . The Spanish Inquisition?! :jester

As for July 4, 1776 . . . it is the generally-accepted "official" date of adoption of the declaration (although other relevant activities and signatures occurred before and after), and therefore is the date of independence of the colonies from Great Britain and the start of the "United State of America" (although not won on the necessary battlefield for many more years).

[lamble]

Monty, what is this . . . The Spanish Inquisition?! :jester

As for July 4, 1776 . . . it is the generally-accepted "official" date of adoption of the declaration (although other relevant activities and signatures occurred before and after), and therefore is the date of independence of the colonies from Great Britain and the start of the "United State of America" (although not won on the necessary battlefield for many more years).

I'd heard it was just a convenient date between holidays that needed filling, so they sorta kinda said, okay the 4th will do. It then became adopted as the official date...a bit like President's Day being a mid-point compromise thingy sort of date. Nothing wrong in doing that, after all it's only Christmas Day all over again and Easter is a moveable entity, so why not?
Perhaps it was the day the ink dried?

On a similar topic of dates I also have it from a good source that on a technicality WWII didn't officially end until 1989, when a treaty could be signed by a unified Germany; so these things can and frequently do happen.

[lockster]

Like they say on BBCA " if you didnt throw our tea into the harbour and kick us out you would know what were saying, closed captioning can be found on page" dah deh dah deh dah
Now lets go back to food, why is an american breakfast so bland ! Who else in the world puts syrup on cremated bacon and have large sponge type discs with eggs ! Nothing like a full english cooked platter.
And whilst were on the subject of differences, the American toilet paper leaves a lot to be desired !

Lockster

PS Looking forward to a real mixed grill with liver and a full english breckie

[lamble]

Like they say on BBCA " if you didnt throw our tea into the harbour and kick us out you would know what were saying, closed captioning can be found on page" dah deh dah deh dah
Now lets go back to food, why is an american breakfast so bland ! Who else in the world puts syrup on cremated bacon and have large sponge type discs with eggs ! Nothing like a full english cooked platter.
And whilst were on the subject of differences, the American toilet paper leaves a lot to be desired !

Lockster

PS Looking forward to a real mixed grill with liver and a full english breckie


Black Pudding with HP Sauce (that's Houses of Parliament, not Horse Power) and pepper.
American toilet paper has to be so weedy, so that the pathetically weak flushing can get it round the bend without constantly creating an air block, so you need a bog plunger.

The bacon is cremated so that it can be picked up with fingers, as food is pre cut, the knife put down and the fork used in a shovel like motion.

In W. Virgina a waitress ran over to my table to tell me I was holding my fork the wrong way up (Curve uppermost, tines down) I pointed out that if there was too much food to balance on the curve, there was probably too much to cram into one's gob. You could see the blank stare...how could there ever be too much? Her backside backed up her stance on this.

Ooh English like it should be, food, bums and toilets...it's what Shakespeare would have wanted.

[BeemerMike]

I'd heard it was just a convenient date between holidays that needed filling, so they sorta kinda said, okay the 4th will do.

No, it's a REAL date. No kidding! And on top of that wackiness, we even put our Constitution in WRITING! Wow, what a bunch of revolutionaries WE were!

It then became adopted as the official date...a bit like President's Day being a mid-point compromise thingy sort of date.

OK, I'll get letters for this, but we came up with "Presidents Day" to replace George Washington's birthday (the person who actually WON our independence from Great Britain and then became our first President, and then became probably one of the few heads of state up to that point in world history who voluntarily gave up power at the end of his terms without dying, being killed, or being deposed) and Abraham Lincoln's birthday (who preserved the United States and ended slavery in the U.S.) to make room for Martin Luther King's birthday as a national holiday. We can't have too many holidays from work in the U.S., or we would be France or Germany.

On a similar topic of dates I also have it from a good source that on a technicality WWII didn't officially end until 1989, when a treaty could be signed by a unified Germany; so these things can and frequently do happen.

And yet, we stopped killing Germans, Italians, and Japanese in 1945 and spent billions of dollars rebuilding those countries anyway. What WERE we thinking? :usa

[BeemerMike]

American toilet paper has to be so weedy, so that the pathetically weak flushing can get it round the bend without constantly creating an air block, so you need a bog plunger.

OK, I'll accept the toilet criticism. That's what happens when you let lawyers (legislators) design your toilets instead of engineers.

But toilet paper?! What's wrong with our toilet paper (assuming you're not buying that cheap one-ply discount paper)? Try Northern two-ply quilted. When I was in London, I don't remember the TP at the Hilton being all THAT soft on me bum. :confused:

[lamble]

OK, I'll accept the toilet criticism. That's what happens when you let lawyers (legislators) design your toilets instead of engineers.

But toilet paper?! What's wrong with our toilet paper (assuming you're not buying that cheap one-ply discount paper)? Try Northern two-ply quilted. When I was in London, I don't remember the TP at the Hilton being all THAT soft on me bum. :confused:

It's not the softness that I have an issue with, it's the tensile strength. I've even seen a TV commercial saying their TP wont leave crumbled bits of paper stuck up where the sun doesn't shine. I should bloody well think not! The fact that it needs saying, shows a fundamental short coming, that doesn't need further graphic explanation.

[lamble]

[QUOTE=BeemerMike;343368]OK, I'll accept the toilet criticism. That's what happens when you let lawyers (legislators) design your toilets instead of engineers.QUOTE]

What, how, when did that come about?
Was there a vote or referendum?

[BeemerMike]

What, how, when did that come about?
Was there a vote or referendum?

A few years back, a new federal law required all new toilets to be "low flow" to reduce water usage (I think it's something like a little more than 1 gallon per flush maximum). The pre-law "high flow" toilets (which have more water in the holding tank) have no problem clearing the bowl. So people with the new toilets often end up flushing two (or more) times, so the real water savings may, in fact, be negative.

No, we didn't get to vote on it. Our elected representatives took care of us on that.

But people now recover old toilets out of old houses to reuse.

[lamble]

The UK has just ratified a European Constitution, although as the Irish haven't, it might get returned once again for a re write. The first version was laughed at because it was silly. This version is being laughed at because of the hypocrasy..I'll explain.

Zimbabwe- Mugabe loses a popular vote, so arranges for another that he can rig....World, well Europe, as the US has no idea where Zimbabwe is (no oil) shout unfair, corruption, dictatorship.

Europe creates a constitution, it gets thrown out as being rubbish, they re submit it, it gets rejected, so they say they'll keep presenting it because the decision is wrong...people laugh at the hypocrasy, but we won't laugh for ever as the EU Ministers and un-elected bureaucrats will get this through.

The basis of the EU constitution...each state will be stripped of certain national powers and have to adopt those of the EU. If self serving dictatorship is anywhere it's Brussels and not Zimbabwe, there it's just one nutter and some tin pot generals. Brussels is far more sophisticated, covert and powerful.

It's hard to laugh.

[BeemerMike]

The UK has just ratified a European Constitution, although as the Irish haven't

It sounds like the Irish are on the right track (who would have thought?). Lower taxes and a booming economy. "Paddy, Why is it we want to be in the EU?"

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Well as I am a Butler and working for a prominent Boston family I am well aware of the eating customs of our distant neighbours the Septics.
I have oh so many times tried to remove a plate from the dinner table only to be told they hadn't finished yet. The old knife and fork together at one side of the plate gag....
Needless to say I am made to look a fool at the hands of distant criminals and murderers. It gives me great satisfaction to watch this society eat, that none could call themselves a Gentleman or Lady. Even wealth does not differentiate them from the eating habits of peasants
Shame on them !!!!

[lamble]

Hi lamble

Well as I am a Butler and working for a prominent Boston family I am well aware of the eating customs of our distant neighbours the Septics.
I have oh so many times tried to remove a plate from the dinner table only to be told they hadn't finished yet. The old knife and fork together at one side of the plate gag....
Needless to say I am made to look a fool at the hands of distant criminals and murderers. It gives me great satisfaction to watch this society eat, that none could call themselves a Gentleman or Lady. Even wealth does not differentiate them from the eating habits of peasants
Shame on them !!!!

In fairness, they are only youngsters as a nation, barely beyond potty training.
Still, I must confess to momentary lapses of decorum, such as troughing fish and chips from paper and dipping and sucking my fingers in that last bit of salt and vinegary lovliness that sticks up a wrinkle in the Times.

I always thought, knife and fork together down the middle of the plate indicated sufficient and a desire for the plate to be taken. Should I be off setting, is assymetric cutlery the new black?

[BeemerMike]

I always thought, knife and fork together down the middle of the plate indicated sufficient and a desire for the plate to be taken. Should I be off setting, is assymetric cutlery the new black?

That's the rule I was taught, but hey, I'm just an oafish American, so I thought it would be presumptuous and impolite to suggest an error by a proper British butler. ;)

[lamble]

Hi lamble

Well as I am a Butler and working for a prominent Boston family I am well aware of the eating customs of our distant neighbours the Septics.
I have oh so many times tried to remove a plate from the dinner table only to be told they hadn't finished yet. The old knife and fork together at one side of the plate gag....
Needless to say I am made to look a fool at the hands of distant criminals and murderers. It gives me great satisfaction to watch this society eat, that none could call themselves a Gentleman or Lady. Even wealth does not differentiate them from the eating habits of peasants
Shame on them !!!!


Have you always butled? Is there a school for butlers? Is it here or in the UK?
Are these your first butlered folk or have you butled before and is it butler etiquette not to spill the beans, or can you let us have some clues and juicy goss?

[lockster]

I went to school here which was my mistake really. There are 2 Butler Schools in the US at the moment, Denver and Columbus. I though that by going there I would appeal more to the American market. However what I should have realised is that if they can afford a Butler they would more than love a British one trained in the UK.
My first position was Virginia Beach. Awful family, rude, vindictive and my position was a small glimpse into what slavery was really like. So after 7 months I got the hell out of Dodge and found a really good family in Boston. I have been doing this for nearly 3 years now. Its a hard life, not for every one but the fringe benefits are some thing else.
Sorry no juicy goss, it shames me to think Paul Burell called himself a Butler !!!
Honesty, integrity, pride and above all else discretion
Lockster

[lamble]

So are Brit Butlers seen as being the best, or do other nations challenge the stereotype I have, thanks to Sir John's portrayal in "10" and that of (more recently) Sir Michael Caine in Batman and all those other movies?

[lamble]

Being prepared for ridicule...do Alaska and Hawaii celebrate the 4th July?

Also, my Alaskan history is limited to the Russians selling it to the USA, but how come the Canadians didn't get first option, which would seem logical, or did they?

[AirForce]

Yes, we Alaskans do celebrate the 4th. Although we did save our fireworks until winter because of the almost constant sunlight in early July.

And the chef cooked a wonderful Shepherd's Pie over the weekend, but using some venison. I am eating a lot of venison of late, and unfortunately only using my fork, because I had a collision with a deer 10 days ago. My right shoulder is broken and thus rendering me a temporary lefty. The other low point was the totalling of my GS.

[lamble]

Yes, we Alaskans do celebrate the 4th. Although we did save our fireworks until winter because of the almost constant sunlight in early July.

And the chef cooked a wonderful Shepherd's Pie over the weekend, but using some venison. I am eating a lot of venison of late, and unfortunately only using my fork, because I had a collision with a deer 10 days ago. My right shoulder is broken and thus rendering me a temporary lefty. The other low point was the totalling of my GS.

Lucky you hit a deer and not a moose. Moose shepard's pie would have been too chewy.
We buy our meat from the shops, it's much easier and hurts less.

Hope you heal up soon and get back biking.

[AirForce]

Why, thank you. I'll probably be on a KLR650 while I'm saving for a 1200GS.

[lamble]

Why, thank you. I'll probably be on a KLR650 while I'm saving for a 1200GS.

There's a distinct lack of smaller dual sports here in the USA. Is it the Harley factor that distorts the marketeers view on what should or should not be brought over, or are we freaks.

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Well I survived a long weekend in Blighty. The wedding I went too served Apple Pie and no custard ! What is the world coming too.
I met loads of old friends, some I have not seen for over 8 years. Now i have to work through and go back in 9 days time to spend a week with my daughter. No riding time either in and amongst. My next bike time will be Aug. Four days camping me thinks. Provided its not in the 100's
My uncle back home bought ( dare I say it ) a Harley Sportster.... I nearly died of shame. However he has done all the 600's , Busa and honda ST 1200's so he said its time to calm down and enjoy a different style of riding. All credit to him on a two wheeled chrome lump, on british roads with british weather ..

Ride safe

Lockster

[lamble]

Hi lamble

Well I survived a long weekend in Blighty. The wedding I went too served Apple Pie and no custard ! What is the world coming too.
Ride safe
Lockster


You leave me with a "Ride Safe". How in the name of all that's regal and germano-greek, can I ride safe, whilst suffering from the traumatic news that there's apple pie ...WITHOUT CUSTARD...in Britain!
Over here, some form of chemical froth based confectionery cream substitute, perhaps, but not in the UK. Civilisation is crumbling, and not just rhubarb crumbling with damnable low cal ice cream topped type crumbling either.

You'll be telling me next that not all cricket is played in whites, that English Football teams are dominated by players from..."other" places and Triumph outsource some of their parts from China or Japan.

I'm livid. Incondescent with rage and a little miffed t'boot!

What's next a bulldog poodle cross breed?

I'm off to find my happy place: tea pots, doylies, melton mobray pies, dandelion and burdock pop, custard creams, rollos, baked beans that don't need vegetarian written on the label, breaded boiled ham sliced thickly off the bone by the butcher with an apron spattered liberally in blood and fewer digits than the norm, small fields, house bricks with a patina of age, paka macs in the Summer and all those other things, plus lashings and lashings of Bird's custard.

[lockster]

Funny you should mention melton's
So there we were, at the petrol station at Manny Airport filling the hire car up. When all of a sudden I had an food idea. What with all day travelling back to Boston I thought a nice Melton Porker would go down a treat, half way through the flight. I purchased said substenance and gave it my wife to carry.
As my wife disappeared behind the screen to be reamed by Manny Security for attempting to smuggle a pot of unknown origin through onto the airline, I realise that perhaps my porker might resemble some thing different on Xray !!!
Needless to say the resulting violence towards husband was really uncalled for, however gratifying the end result.
So back to blighty on Thurs, a week with my 9 year old and no biking. Too young to join both together as yet.
Did you know Bradford population of Pakistani's now outway original uk populus. First city in the UK this has occured, probably not the last. Oh well, at least we have a good quality of life over here. Even if a box of Mcvities Choccy biscuits cost nearly twenty dollars in the brit store on Route 1. Now Curry's outsells Fish and Chips..... and off course no Custard ( birds or not ) with apple pie. What are we left with !

Over come with sadness,

Lockster

[lamble]

Saw Mr Edward Izzard on Friday...he pointed out that if the next election goes the "wrong" way and the groovy guy isn't elected, there might be a morning when there a knock on the door in Plymouth.

"Excuse me, but we've come back, well 400,000,000 of us have actually. Got any room?"

There'd go the neighbourhood.

$4 per pork pie here and Fred Meyers have started selling Mc Vite's Milk Choc wholewheat digestives for under the price of a new car. Plus, we do have room to swing a possum...and.... we have a possum to swing strangely enough.

Is the US better than the UK? No. Is it worse? No, it's just different. Some of the BMW owners though...crickey they can be a bit Berkshire!!!!!
:bolt

[lockster]

I recon thats a bit Al a mode for most of the Septic's amongst us....
Unless your lemon tart and know a little David Hockney !

[lamble]

I recon thats a bit Al a mode for most of the Septic's amongst us....
Unless your lemon tart and know a little David Hockney !

It's almost Two Ronnies all over again.
Four candles?
No handles for forks.

I trod on a Richard III. Picked it up and put it on the wall. Pregnant pause.....

It flew away.

Better to be a Berkshire than a Berkshire Hunt, which is the original phrase.

Wonder what would be made of wassock, numpty, nincompoop, ninny, git, pillock and other such savouries?

[lamble]

It can't be too long before a General Election (viagra in a Chinese Officer's mess?)
so do you still vote?

Where do you register, as this next election will be our first since leaving.

I know politics are verbotten here, but as we can, I'm sure, discuss this in civilised Brit terms (have we ever assassinated a Prime minister...even when we should have?) perhaps we could look at the candidates and their various merits.

Naturally being Scottish should preclude Gordon Brown. Also he has a funny jaw and a gammy eye and there's a rumour he only got married and had kids to bolster his suitability as Tony's heir.

Conservatives have Cameron...Scottish heritage again obviously, so he should be dismissed as unstable. Which leaves the Lib Dems and I have no idea who their person is, so who else is there?
Is it possible to have no one suitable? Obviously it is and has been on numerous occasions and in more than just the UK.

The incumbents always seem to be the scape-goats for all ills, whether caused by them or not, so do you expect to see New Labour (are they still new, even though tarnished by time and actions?) swept aside?

Thoughts on a voting slip please...X

I'd have liked to discuss policies, but they will be the same old trite bumph as peddled ad nauseum in years gone by, with just a frisson of the contemporary added to catch the eye no doubt.
Are there really any big topics that a national government can actually effect, or is it just limited tinkering?

Why can't our leader marry a super model?

[BeemerMike]

discuss this in civilised Brit terms (have we ever assassinated a Prime minister...even when we should have?)

No need. Too easy to get rid of them in between elections (when elections are scheduled) if the PM gets too unpopular. ;)

[lamble]

In "recent" times, there have been two shocks, Mrs T getting ousted by members of her own party and at election time, Winnie not getting voted in after being the nominal head of a coalition govt during the war.

I know there was the Brighton Bombing where the IRA tried to kill everyone at the Con's Conference, but that wasn't a targetted assassination plot to remove a Prime Minister, so much as a terrorist blood bath that could just as easily been the Labour or Liberal Conferences.

The Queen had a gun go off nearby when she was riding to Trooping of the Colour, but that was a starting pistol as it turned out, plus she has little political clout, so her assassination would have only changed the currency and stamps and would have been a boon for the commemorative tea cup industry.

(That's me in the Tower if I return).

[lamble]

Going back to the early and pre Parliament, we did have a tendency to remove heads of state by either removing the head of the head of state (Charlie I), sticking a hot poker up the nether regions (Rich II) or relying on an invader to do the dirty work.."keep an eye out for Norman arrows Harold...ooops!"

There was a bit of sculduggery with princes going missing (Rich III) and Catholic/Protestant toing and froing with Henry VIII, Mary I and Liz I, but all that sort of fun peetered out when the Parliament got its grubby political grip on things, double dealing went into the corridors of power rather than the battle fields of ignominious defeat. Sort of went from valour, to administration errors and became infinitely more complex and tawdry.

I'm sure we'd have assassinated a leader by now, but the depth of beaurocracy means that you'd be popping them off every day of the week. Even the Government don't really govern, it's the Civil Servants that hold the real power, and they are just a bunch of faceless noddlepops that go on and on and on and on....

[lamble]

Gordon Brown...texture like Sun...

Seems he thought he was inheriting a pasture and what he's got is a mine field. Only problem is, he's still trying to plough it.

Obviously international elements, beyond his control, have contrived against him, but his eagerness for power seems to have back fired.
Of course this view is based solely on the podcasts of the News Quiz and the Now Show, but sometimes it takes comedy to point out just how ridiculous situations and decisions have become.

[lamble]

Went to look at a 1974 Norton Commando 750 Roadster last night..in yellow. $6500 for the 750, which was a donkey when it was new. I'd have gone to $3000.

Just because things are old doesn't automatically make them valuable...sometimes it just makes them old, fragile, decrepit and inferior to modern stuff. Rarity is only a factor when it's something worth having.

Anyone with more cash than sense...Lynnwood Cycle Barn WA.

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Well just had a great week in the Uk with her indoors and the rug slug. Went to some phlem sounding place in Wales, Newton Abbot, Somerton, Midhurst and returned to Huddersfield where I celebrated my 40th Birthday.
Quote of the trip " Oh look, there's a replica of Stonehenge in that field !"
I know I married her and she's from NJ so try not to feel sorry for her.
Still a few hearty cooked breakfast's down the old chute and my Scottish mate got the haggis on as well.
Nothing new to tell, after just a week Ive had to remortgage the house. 59 quid to fill a 1.6 Astra... 75 quid for a 3 single beds in a B+B for the night and pub lunch now runs at 50 quid a sitting. Just glad to be back, that all

Any how hope your well

Lockster

[lamble]

Hi lamble

Well just had a great week in the Uk with her indoors and the rug slug. Went to some phlem sounding place in Wales, Newton Abbot, Somerton, Midhurst and returned to Huddersfield where I celebrated my 40th Birthday.
Quote of the trip " Oh look, there's a replica of Stonehenge in that field !"
I know I married her and she's from NJ so try not to feel sorry for her.
Still a few hearty cooked breakfast's down the old chute and my Scottish mate got the haggis on as well.
Nothing new to tell, after just a week Ive had to remortgage the house. 59 quid to fill a 1.6 Astra... 75 quid for a 3 single beds in a B+B for the night and pub lunch now runs at 50 quid a sitting. Just glad to be back, that all

Any how hope your well

Lockster

Not too bad Lockster. Some of the natives nearly got a little restless, but it's all calmed down now.

Things picked up when I found a shop that does frozen Yorkshire puds and I've got Bisto onion gravy...the mutts nuts and the bollocks!

[lamble]

Anyone pay enough attention to back home, to know if we have anyone any good in the Olympics?

Brit games we'd win hands down:

Forming an orderly queue over 100 meters
Knotted hankerchef fastening in the longjump pit.
Swimming in knitted trunks
Obviously Butlering the most people in the shortest time
Long distance tutting
Putting the scone
Hop step stagger and fall drunkenly
Conkers
Twatting the Prat

[tessler]

Anyone pay enough attention to back home, to know if we have anyone any good in the Olympics?

Brit games we'd win hands down:

Forming an orderly queue over 100 meters
Knotted hankerchef fastening in the longjump pit.
Swimming in knitted trunks
Obviously Butlering the most people in the shortest time
Long distance tutting
Putting the scone
Hop step stagger and fall drunkenly
Conkers
Twatting the Prat:ha :ha

You're killing me. :ha

[lamble]

I've often thought Twatting the Prat should be our national sport.

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Have you ever been driving in Boston.... you would understand if you had.
So are we American this next few weeks ( as they get a lot of medals ) or do we hold out for the few Brits to make it to the podium. Esp as the golden Isle has now lost their plumbers, painters and mechanics

Any thoughts on a Comm system...and if so which type ?

Just finished a nescafe gold blend cuppa with a wee bit of indulgence being a Cadbury's fruit and nut ( found the boss's wife's secret stash )

Enjoy

Lockster

[tonkandy]

What stinks is that we qualified for the Olympics in footie (about the only thing we have qualified for recently), but can't compete because we are ineligible. Stupid FIFA and IOC rules - they'd better get it sorted out before the next games.

[lamble]

What stinks is that we qualified for the Olympics in footie (about the only thing we have qualified for recently), but can't compete because we are ineligible. Stupid FIFA and IOC rules - they'd better get it sorted out before the next games.

It might be a blessing in disguise. Imagine what would have happened if we'd not won gold in footie, coming in with a bronze, behind the USA and Nigeria perhaps?

After watching the opening ceremony in Beijing, I do fear that five morris men and a few guards in a band might not cut the mustard in 2012.
Perhaps we'll have a display of scones and jam making by the WI, projected onto a white wall, and a power point of why London is nice, as King William rides around an un finished stadium wearing a crown and a hoodie, to an Amy Winehouse track, in a german built mini.
We can bring out the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Paul McArtney and Ringo, combined age older than the Olympics, to wheeze through the National Anthem. Then have a firework (Not allowed by H&S in the built up Stratford area of London), while the crowd of 6 locals and 200,000 corporates business people noisily ignore the whole proceedings from their corporate sponsored seats, in favour of visiting the corporate buffet for a prawn sandwich and slice of pork pie on a stick.

I have no faith in our ability to follow China's Olympics...is it too late to ask to be put back in the draw and see if we can't get the gig after somewhere like Albania or Afghanistan?

[lamble]

Hi lamble

Have you ever been driving in Boston.... you would understand if you had.
So are we American this next few weeks ( as they get a lot of medals ) or do we hold out for the few Brits to make it to the podium. Esp as the golden Isle has now lost their plumbers, painters and mechanics

Any thoughts on a Comm system...and if so which type ?

Just finished a nescafe gold blend cuppa with a wee bit of indulgence being a Cadbury's fruit and nut ( found the boss's wife's secret stash )

Enjoy

Lockster

I've not been to Boston, I will one day. I think I'll wait for a Brit to win a medal in something like the clay pigeon taunting, or the 3metre board bombing, running and petting, you know, the sports no one else cares about.

I've just migrated from a wire based comms system...too fiddly...to a blue tooth system...just doesn't work but does have a flashing blue light, so well worth the extra. Not happy with either really.

[GrafikFeat]

Perhaps we can help dispell some commonly held beliefs too, so US riders, what are your questions?

Any mention of "Spotted Dick"? (http://www.englishteastore.com/cak004.html) :eat

"Toad in the Hole"? :eat

Yummy, eh.

[lamble]

Any mention of "Spotted Dick"? (http://www.englishteastore.com/cak004.html) :eat

"Toad in the Hole"? :eat

Yummy, eh.

You are only round the corner, so next time I get a spotted dick going, with Devon Custard t'boot, I'll drop you a note. Had one a fortnight ago actually.

Not toaded the hole for ages, but thanks for the thought.

[lamble]

We've won a Gold!!!!

Nicole Cooke women's road racing cycling.

Who's she?

[lamble]

Two Golds!

Tremble with fear China, we are on a roll!

Actually there's something very distasteful about the Olympics this time. Forget the issues of freedoms and liberties. Forget that the IOC are a bunch of crooks that take back handers as a matter of course. What is really offensive this time around is:

I'm having to watch the games in the USA and your commentators are awful.
Anyone would think that only the USA had bothered to show up. If you win it's because you are great, if you don't it's because the judges have anti american bias.
There's no coverage of any other country...China perhaps being an exception, probably some TV deal to smooth over the import/export deficit and outstanding debt. The stories of the Olympics aren't just the winners of golds, but the struggle someone from Bhutan may have made just to get there, knowing they'll come last.

It's a jingoistic fest and very miopic and unpleasant.
Not the teams, not the fans, just the commentators...make them stop it.

There's a reason there are five rings interlinked.

[tessler]

Two Golds!

Tremble with fear China, we are on a roll!

Actually there's something very distasteful about the Olympics this time. Forget the issues of freedoms and liberties. Forget that the IOC are a bunch of crooks that take back handers as a matter of course. What is really offensive this time around is:

I'm having to watch the games in the USA and your commentators are awful.
Anyone would think that only the USA had bothered to show up. If you win it's because you are great, if you don't it's because the judges have anti american bias.
There's no coverage of any other country...China perhaps being an exception, probably some TV deal to smooth over the import/export deficit and outstanding debt. The stories of the Olympics aren't just the winners of golds, but the struggle someone from Bhutan may have made just to get there, knowing they'll come last.

It's a jingoistic fest and very miopic and unpleasant.
Not the teams, not the fans, just the commentators...make them stop it.

There's a reason there are five rings interlinked.
I think the "stories" are simply a reflection of the bad taste of NBC Sports programming in giving their audience (Americans, 'natch) what they believe they want to see tied in with the plethora of commercial endorsements and opportunities. And like most broadcasting products, it's simply buffer material for a skein of adverts. It's painful to watch because honestly, I want to see the competitors and their respective events.

But I think that the commentators are not to blame. It's the timeslots and $ million/minute ad sales. In fact, on Sunday afternoon, when NBC deigned to expand coverage over to the MSNBC and USA networks, I was able to view some cool events that you just never see on the primary NBC channel and the commentators for the Men's 56K Weightlifting event were pretty good. Informative, not too chatty and they spoke engagingly about the backgrounds of the athletes, namely the winner Long Qingquan (who won Gold for China over Vietnam and Indonesia in that order. And these guys were good too! Man, well deserved medals!).

Oh yea, the other cool competition was Badminton, M & W singles and doubles. Yeah!

[lamble]

I'll have to retune.

And it's not an exclusively US trait, it just seems that it's more pronounced here, almost an expectation. It may come from a culture where you do expect to win, so failure (to win gold) is less attractive. It could be that sponsors want to be associated with winners. Those sponsors buy advertising, so do advertisers control what is shown...who knows?

I did mention that the BBC was unbiased before and took flak for that. But without advertisers to appease, here's one example where the BBC can show an alternative view, coverage being more widely spread and commentated on in a freer manner.

In the UK we don't expect to win in sport. We hope to, but don't expect it. It may just be a culture of acceptance that to even get to the Olympics, or compete in a sport at any level of competance is in of itself a victory and should be applauded.

Having said all that, our prima donna bloody football players, with their multi million pound contracts and endorsements, have taken the whole thing too far and certainly under perform when looking at value for money. They do not embody the Olympic spirit.

[lamble]

The Olympics once inspired me to workout at a gym. Today I have an urge to venture forth for a cold beer. :drink

It was nice to see Putin and Bush there, I feel safe now.

Must have been frightening for Mr Bush when Putin said he was invading Georgia. That would have been a kodak moment. Seems that their convivial chat did no good what so ever if your surname happens to be Sakashvilli

[GrafikFeat]

Must have been frightening for Mr Bush when Putin said he was invading Georgia. That would have been a kodak moment. Seems that their convivial chat did no good what so ever if your surname happens to be Sakashvilli

Basically the asshat meets the hat hook.


In Seattle I watch channel 99 from Van(hong)couver.
NBC + Olympics = Sucks.
Then again any network in the US sucks.

[lamble]

Basically the asshat meets the hat hook.


In Seattle I watch channel 99 from Van(hong)couver.
NBC + Olympics = Sucks.
Then again any network in the US sucks.

Grafik,

I commend you on your well structured arguement and the ultimately self evident truth of your statement.

BBC America and PBS are our main stay, although the recent pixellation of the nipples on a Ruben's painting of cherubs, which appeared in the background of a Brit Murder Mystery on PBS Master thingy, has made me question the degree that censorship has entered the latters programming. I ask you, you can show someone getting murdered, but a nipple...shock horror, that's immoral, even on a cherub...in a painting...come on USA, stop pandering to your fanatic minorities and grow up!

What's next, pixellation of Jesus' nipples on crucifixes?

[tessler]

Grafik,

I commend you on your well structured arguement and the ultimately self evident truth of your statement.:ha:ha
I was particularly taken with the use of the mathematical symbols.

[lamble]

:ha:ha
I was particularly taken with the use of the mathematical symbols.

Me too. I tested the mathematics and could find no faults in the logic. I really appreciate that there was no room for any variance in the outcome, it makes life so much simpler.

Only one thing, I'd not hold Vancouver responsible in total, for the Asian element. It was afterall the transition point for the workers that the USA used and then dismissed, en masse, when they were finished with them. In fact I visited a bay where the Chinese were smuggled from Canada into the US, after the US passed a law forbidding access (but the fish cannery industry still wanted chinese, even though the railroads didn't). Apparently these folk were shackled together on boats and if customs came along, they were cast overboard and their shackles kept them down...for good. So, Vancouver's oriental presence is in part a result of USA actions. They do have a very good roast duck place there, must look the name out for you all.

[lamble]

Oh and just a thank you. May I commend you all on helping keep this thread going, with convivial discussion. It shows that even topics as contentious as royalty, blood pudding, us and them and a jolly old host of other stuff, can be debated thoroughly, but amicably.

Considering that this is a minority sector thread, the viewing is astronomical.

Perhaps it's as Allan Rickman (token evil baddie in most movies, Sheriff of Nottingham in the Costner Robin Hood, where Robin had an American accent-very strange) recently said, "You only hate me because I'm British...and you all want to be". :thumb

[tessler]

"Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here."

http://www.lahiguera.net/cinemania/actores/alan_rickman/fotos/1007/alan_rickman.jpg

[lamble]

Now there is pure evil!

It was strange to watch the metamorphosis of American film and TV output over in the UK in the late 80s and 90s. The bad guys went from being the Russians to indescript Eastern Europeans and Brits, apart from Miami Vice which always had S.Americans as the villains.

Brit actors were used extensively, probably because a Brit doing and Eastern European accent is more easily understood, than an East European doing an English version, plus we work cheap and have known actors. Brits were always the evil masterminds, so thanks for the implied intelligence.

Allan was a master of the slightly psychotic baddie. Excellent acting. It'll be interesting to see who the USA brands as the bad guys next. The Arabs in general would be too sensitive, so it must be shown that they are extremists. The Russians might come back into play, or you could stick with the tried and trusted barmy Brit..we don't mind, so we won't be offended and are glad to take the Hollywood dollar, then clear off.

Who is the ultimate baddie Brit?

Former, or current Prime Ministers do not count.
Anthony Hopkins, as Hannibal Lecter, in Silence of the Lambs is your starter
Even more disturbing was Ralph Fiennes in the sequel, very dark and worrying and harkening to another thread, not a great advocate for tattoos either.

[GrafikFeat]

"You only hate me because I'm British...and you all want to be". :thumb

Ummm... I'll pass.

There's no equation for that problem! :ha

[lamble]

At least we inherit our sons, we don't elect them...twice.

I changed this from a message that cropped up once before, because of the no politics stance of this site. The original was far more entertaining though and sort of follows the theory that, people in glasshouses should not throw stones.

I've met Charles and his teeth are fine...bloody sticky out ears though!

[lamble]

Hahahaha! I wasn't joking about "Charles" per se...

But anyway, Dumbya wasn't "elected" at all.
But since you brought that pain up "Dumbya" did have a nice lap dog at the time... :dog
What was his name... :scratch
Ooooh right...
Tony, Tony Blair...

Ditto on the politik stance. I'll unpost shortly.


Tony was a TV personality, not the Prime Minister, that was his wife.
Now we have Gordon Brown a dour Scot with the personality of a pair of blunt scissors and about just as much use.

Anyway, we could discuss Gordon, but no one over here know who he is, so that would be as short as this conversation has been. Hurray for Gordon, he keeps politics out of political discussions.

I do however find it hard not to mention the Stranglers when ever he crops up, with their lyric, "Gordon Brown, texture like Sun..." honestly it's funny if you are a Brit...trust me.

[lamble]

I guess this old school logic makes me side with the Russian's. Atleast some of them were Royal's as well.

I think Prince Albert and Queen Victoria populated most of Europe's Royal families. By all accounts she was quite a girl and in the early days banged louder than a broken outhouse door in a storm.

It seems that WW1 was just sibling rivallry that got out of hand a tad, and certainly Czar Nicholas was a frequent visitor to the UK to visit family, as did Kaiser Will and most of the heads of State. Seems inbreeding is no guarantee of shared values, only shared genes.

[lamble]

I met Charles in Edinburgh in 1976 where he is just another Bobby Brown. .

I never knew that. Prince Charles, a failed black singer who hooked up with a pop diva and then plummets into a drug fuelled life. Are you sure about that Statdawg.

You may want to check your facts! :thumb

[lockster]

For Queen and Country !

I for one am a royalist... I served in the royal navy and afterwards completed nearly 11 years as her majesty's constable.
Now before we all start queen bashing I would like to add one point. I would rather defend my country against hostiles in the name of my queen than for Gordon Brown.

As for Prince Charles I have met him. In fact I was his one of his police escorts when he came to visit Halifax West Yorkshire. One hell of a gentleman. As for his past I feel for him. He had no childhood and suffered at the hands of the Queen Mum's influence. Now she was some piece of work.....

So royal bashers let rip and lets hope it holds up....

Lockster ( Cavalier )

[GrafikFeat]

So royal bashers let rip and lets hope it holds up....

Sweet Jeebus guys!!

It wasn't a Royals Bashing... I was poking fun at the "British Smile"!!!
That was the only "tasteful" image I could find. :kiss

Let the Politicks GO! :fight
Let's not end up in the DH...

[lamble]

For Queen and Country !

I for one am a royalist... I served in the royal navy and afterwards completed nearly 11 years as her majesty's constable.
Now before we all start queen bashing I would like to add one point. I would rather defend my country against hostiles in the name of my queen than for Gordon Brown.
Now to go to Iraq and die for say a mindless idiot who's iq is more or less as useful as a broken flip flop on a one legged parrot i'll just stick with my queeny.

As for Prince Charles I have met him. In fact I was his one of his police escorts when he came to visit Halifax West Yorkshire. One hell of a gentleman. As for his past I feel for him. He had no childhood and suffered at the hands of the Queen Mum's influence. Now she was some piece of work.....

So royal bashers let rip and lets hope it holds up....

Lockster ( Cavalier )

And I've been presented to Her Majness twice, so I'm no Royal basher, although Charles does have big ears.
His Dad is old school and Granny was from a time that couldn't be translated into the modern, post war, world.
Then there was Margaret. Very partial to the bottle and the darker gentleman.

No doubt about it, they are an unusual lot and I'd not welcome the sort of media cover they endure. Having said that, they are ours and they are an institution that can and does do much good, without all the broohaha that other celebs demand.

Lockster, rather than get us all booted, can you edit the GWB stuff out...ta.
We have to show how a civilised nation behaves afterall, and America is only a youngster of a country, so haven't learned from all the mistakes we Brits managed to make over the years. Shame they feel the need to make them all over again for themselves and won't just believe us. :thumb

[lockster]

Hi lamble

Never realised it was an issue...Wont happen again my friend.
Always straight up us Yorkshire men, and some would say too straight up ...
Any way hope yous all accept my apolos.

Introduced twice to the Queen, nice one! Hope it was not in the new youth offending hall for naughty bikers ?

Lockster

[lamble]

Hi lamble

Never realised it was an issue...Wont happen again my friend.
Always straight up us Yorkshire men, and some would say too straight up ...
Any way hope yous all accept my apolos.

Introduced twice to the Queen, nice one! Hope it was not in the new youth offending hall for naughty bikers ?

Lockster

Tea and cakes at Buck House. She does knock out a very decent chocolate cake. The Ice cream is a Duchy of Cornwall tub...keeps it in the family I suppose.

Oh and all you lot that drag a thread down with all the claptrap stuff...we Brits self moderate, like a self cleaning oven, only polite.

[BeemerMike]

We have to show how a civilised nation behaves afterall, and America is only a youngster of a country, so haven't learned from all the mistakes we Brits managed to make over the years. Shame they feel the need to make them all over again for themselves and won't just believe us.

In the Tom Selleck western movie "Quigley Down Under", my second favorite line is when Quigley (Tom Selleck) is talking to the British major (with his bright red coat, of course) after the major made a comment about Australia being filled with misfits . . .

"We already ran the misfits out of our country. Sent 'em back to England." :D

[lamble]

In the Tom Selleck western movie "Quigley Down Under", my second favorite line is when Quigley (Tom Selleck) is talking to the British major (with his bright red coat, of course) after the major made a comment about Australia being filled with misfits . . .

"We already ran the misfits out of our country. Sent 'em back to England." :D

Are you sure Tom said that and it wasn't just his moustache ad libbing?

[GrafikFeat]

Are you sure Tom said that and it wasn't just his moustache ad libbing?

It was his stunt 'stache! :wave

[lamble]

It was his stunt 'stache! :wave

A 'tache double! I hope it was an equity union 'tache.

Now Hitler's 'tache, that was a sad facial fuzz fashion statement that never really caught on. The Edwardians and the Georges were facially fungalled, but I notice the Queen didn't adopt that style. It may have been because licking a fuzzy stamp would have tickled too much.