While I'm a bit busy this week to give you an interesting post worth reading, I thought I'd give you something else to chew on until I get my rear in gear and have a moment to write you something worth reading.
If any of you like documentaries, I know I watch them quite often, here is one I found on Hulu about the Dark Ages and what life was like after the Romans left Britain. It is on Hulu and completely free to watch. :)
Pure History Features: King Arthur's Britain
I may do this from time to time, post videos or films that are freely available for you to watch and enjoy when things either get too busy for me presently or just because I found a good one to share. Hope you enjoy and have a good end of the week... Friday soon! :)
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22 January, 2014
09 January, 2014
How About Some Numbers? (and some other interesting tid bits)
I thought today's post could do some comparing with numbers. But first, a short story or two.
While I was in England, I would often get asked questions like "Have you been to New York City?"
"No, it's a bit far away," I would answer. And then their response would be, "Oh? Where abouts are you from, exactly?"
Now I've experienced this kind of geographical ignorance from my fellow Americans when asked about my trips to England, most people ask me how my trip to London was, and "is that a country?"
Fair enough, some people just don't get out much, or maybe it was just me. I was always fascinated by maps and places as a child, always had my nose stuck to a globe, exploring the reaches of our tiny little world. It just never occurred to me that people from other countries would have the same sort of ignorance about American geography. And why not? If they've not traveled, then surely, it makes sense. Yet, I was very surprised by the confusion as I tried to explain. I'd hold up my hand as a "map" of the States, point to where NYC was supposed to be towards my finger tips and point to where Illinois was, just past my knuckles in the middle, supposing my palm was California. Still, no recollection. Then it hit me. Great Britain is in its own time zone. Continental America has four. This struck a chord, and it is also my first set of numbers for you today.
"Is America actually that big?" Is the next astonished question. That doesn't even include Alaska, which is enormous in it's own right, and Hawaii. Illinois and England on it's own are roughly the same size.
My second story happened while on a road trip through Lancashire with The Boy and we got a bit turned around heading home. We stopped at a pub to ask for directions, and when we told the bartender we were heading for Hull, he was a bit surprised, "That's a long way! You're doing that drive in just one day?"
It was a two hour drive.
Now he certainly could have been taking the mick, but he seemed genuine to me. And The Boy said most people don't drive much in the UK, long trips are reserved for public transportation most of the time. It flabbergasted me. I would never consider taking a bus for a trip that was only two hours long. Where I'm from, you need an hour drive just to get groceries. That's rural for you. I was used to driving an hour or two in any direction just to get anything. Groceries, school, the cinema, everything.
So these things got me thinking about the numbers, and now I shall present some to you for you nerds like me out there. I will also compare my home state of Illinois with The Boy's home country of England, just for fun.
America has 50 States. The United Kingdom has 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. This does not include the territores and many islands.
For those wondering, Great Britain, while a country in it's own right, is more about the governing body. It does not rule over Ireland, which has it's own government and uses the Euro. The rest continue to use the Great British Pound.
Populations:
USA: 317,433,000
Great Britain: 63,200,000
Illinois: 12,882,135
England: 53,012,456
Largest City Population:
USA: New York City 8,336,697
Great Britain: London 9,787,426
Illinois: Chicago 2,714,856
Square Miles:
USA: 3,794,101
Great Britain: 88,745
Illinois: 57,914
England: 50,346
Highest Points:
USA: Mount McKinley 20,320 ft
Great Britain: Ben Nevis 4409 ft
Illinois: Charles Mound 1237 ft
England: Scafell Pike 3208 ft
Hottest Temp Recorded:
USA: June 1913 134 F / 57 C
Great Britain: Aug 2003 101 F / 38.5 C (also the highest in England)
Illinois: July 1954 117 F / 47 C
Coldest Recorded:
USA: Jan 1971 -80 F / -62 C
Great Britain: Dec 1995 -17 F / -27 C
Illinois: Jan 2009 -37 F / -39 C
England: Jan 1982 -15 F / -26 C
I couldn't really think of any more numbers to include. These are just things I've discussed with others about, the populations, how big everything is or how small, how hot and cold it gets. It's weird how the little things we don't really think about become fun and interesting comparisons when we talk to people from other places. If you have any numbers or comparisons like these you'd like me to research and include, I'll add them to the post and give you credit for the submission. Thank you again for readin, stay tuned for another post in a day or two. :)
While I was in England, I would often get asked questions like "Have you been to New York City?"
"No, it's a bit far away," I would answer. And then their response would be, "Oh? Where abouts are you from, exactly?"
Now I've experienced this kind of geographical ignorance from my fellow Americans when asked about my trips to England, most people ask me how my trip to London was, and "is that a country?"
Fair enough, some people just don't get out much, or maybe it was just me. I was always fascinated by maps and places as a child, always had my nose stuck to a globe, exploring the reaches of our tiny little world. It just never occurred to me that people from other countries would have the same sort of ignorance about American geography. And why not? If they've not traveled, then surely, it makes sense. Yet, I was very surprised by the confusion as I tried to explain. I'd hold up my hand as a "map" of the States, point to where NYC was supposed to be towards my finger tips and point to where Illinois was, just past my knuckles in the middle, supposing my palm was California. Still, no recollection. Then it hit me. Great Britain is in its own time zone. Continental America has four. This struck a chord, and it is also my first set of numbers for you today.
"Is America actually that big?" Is the next astonished question. That doesn't even include Alaska, which is enormous in it's own right, and Hawaii. Illinois and England on it's own are roughly the same size.
My second story happened while on a road trip through Lancashire with The Boy and we got a bit turned around heading home. We stopped at a pub to ask for directions, and when we told the bartender we were heading for Hull, he was a bit surprised, "That's a long way! You're doing that drive in just one day?"
It was a two hour drive.
Now he certainly could have been taking the mick, but he seemed genuine to me. And The Boy said most people don't drive much in the UK, long trips are reserved for public transportation most of the time. It flabbergasted me. I would never consider taking a bus for a trip that was only two hours long. Where I'm from, you need an hour drive just to get groceries. That's rural for you. I was used to driving an hour or two in any direction just to get anything. Groceries, school, the cinema, everything.
So these things got me thinking about the numbers, and now I shall present some to you for you nerds like me out there. I will also compare my home state of Illinois with The Boy's home country of England, just for fun.
America has 50 States. The United Kingdom has 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. This does not include the territores and many islands.
For those wondering, Great Britain, while a country in it's own right, is more about the governing body. It does not rule over Ireland, which has it's own government and uses the Euro. The rest continue to use the Great British Pound.
Populations:
USA: 317,433,000
Great Britain: 63,200,000
Illinois: 12,882,135
England: 53,012,456
Largest City Population:
USA: New York City 8,336,697
Great Britain: London 9,787,426
Illinois: Chicago 2,714,856
Square Miles:
USA: 3,794,101
Great Britain: 88,745
Illinois: 57,914
England: 50,346
Highest Points:
USA: Mount McKinley 20,320 ft
Great Britain: Ben Nevis 4409 ft
Illinois: Charles Mound 1237 ft
England: Scafell Pike 3208 ft
Hottest Temp Recorded:
USA: June 1913 134 F / 57 C
Great Britain: Aug 2003 101 F / 38.5 C (also the highest in England)
Illinois: July 1954 117 F / 47 C
Coldest Recorded:
USA: Jan 1971 -80 F / -62 C
Great Britain: Dec 1995 -17 F / -27 C
Illinois: Jan 2009 -37 F / -39 C
England: Jan 1982 -15 F / -26 C
I couldn't really think of any more numbers to include. These are just things I've discussed with others about, the populations, how big everything is or how small, how hot and cold it gets. It's weird how the little things we don't really think about become fun and interesting comparisons when we talk to people from other places. If you have any numbers or comparisons like these you'd like me to research and include, I'll add them to the post and give you credit for the submission. Thank you again for readin, stay tuned for another post in a day or two. :)
08 January, 2014
Fountains Abbey
As promised! Here is my post for today. :)
Fountains Abbey. I visited here in June 2013 after begging my fiance to take me. Since ever. I'd been asking to go since my first trip to England in 2011, again in 2012, and finally I said enough is enough! I MUST GO TO FOUNTAINS ABBEY.
He's from England, you see, my now husband. To him, all churches and castles look a like because all he has to pop to the shop for some groceries to see one. Me? We don't have things like this in America so I wanted to go. Badly.
Before I show you some of the photos, let me explain that I took nearly 300 while I was there. In just the span of an hour or two. So it was very difficult to choose which ones were the best representation of the place. It's huge. I cannot emphasize this point enough.
Even The Boy was gobsmacked. (Translation, "gob" = mouth. Hence "Gobsmackers" candy. IE: very shocked.) And he couldn't believe he had never been there before in his life.
I couldn't believe this enormous place existed, hidden in a valley surrounded by trees, completely hidden away from the modern world and not visible from anywhere in the area.
So how about some history? It lies near the town of Ripon in North Yorkshire, a town name you might recognize if you watch Downton Abbey. Now you are probably thinking, "What is an abbey?" Well, I'll tell you! An abbey is a place that is occupied by monks or nuns. Now a family abbey is where a patriarchal estate has its basic functions and household operations. So we're not talking about the kind of abbey as made famous by the upstairs and downstairs lives of our favorite characters on PBS. Even though it's not actually filmed in Yorkshire. But this place, Fountains Abbey, a place where monks used to reside, is in Yorkshire. My favorite place in the world.
It was founded in 1132 after some monks in the city of York had a dispute over wanting to return to the 6th Century Rule of Benedict, which you can read more about here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_St_Benedict
The monks were given some land by the Archbishop on which they were able to build their own church, which at the time was small, made of stone, and the outer building made of wood. They had tumultuous beginnings in the following years, with even a successful attempt at burning down the building in protest to their practices. They recovered and prospered, however. The new buildings were completed in 1170 though some additions were made afterwards. It is the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monastery in England sitting on 70 acres of land, with structured walls reaching over 300 feet long. I'm not even going to get in to all the numbers because there are so many additions to it throughout the years, it all gets muddled. But the place, as I said earlier, is HUGE.
Sadly, Henry VIII, you should know about him, ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries 1539, during his war with the Catholic church. The abbey was sacked and set afire, their income was appropriated, assets disposed of, and their members moved out. Some abbeys and monasteries survived very well preserved, some untouched and left whole. Others, like Fountains, were not so lucky. Monastic libraries were also destroyed, hundreds of books stolen or destroyed, which many historians see as a devastating cultural loss caused by the English Reformation.
There is a lovely visitors' centre at the abbey and a great gift shop, all run by the National Trust. I bought an excellent and very thorough guide book for only 5 quid and admission to the grounds was around 20 quid, which was a bit pricey but I don't mind paying extra for the upkeep of such a fantastic place. There is a bit of a walk between the centre and the actual grounds, but you'll enjoy the green Yorkshire countryside on your way there. It might even be a good idea to pack a picnic and bring it with you, sit on a blanket on the grounds, read a book, enjoy the sunlight. It was a beautiful day when we went and I can't wait to go back and take my parents. I'm dying to see my mom's face when she sees how amazing it is.
The last picture I want to show you is one I took of The Boy and it once again just shows the sheer scale of the place, but also the wonderment when you are standing in its shadow, feeling so tiny yet so amazed that people could build something so magnificent, even as far back as the 1100s. It's incredible, and I think this photo sums it up nicely as to why it should be on your list of places to see before you die. Which I think is what this blog is turning out to be about more often than anything. It also kind of looks like an epic movie poster. I hope you learned something from my post today, and have gained a new hope or dream or many in our journey this evening. Thank you for reading, and Happy New Year.
Fountains Abbey. I visited here in June 2013 after begging my fiance to take me. Since ever. I'd been asking to go since my first trip to England in 2011, again in 2012, and finally I said enough is enough! I MUST GO TO FOUNTAINS ABBEY.
He's from England, you see, my now husband. To him, all churches and castles look a like because all he has to pop to the shop for some groceries to see one. Me? We don't have things like this in America so I wanted to go. Badly.
Before I show you some of the photos, let me explain that I took nearly 300 while I was there. In just the span of an hour or two. So it was very difficult to choose which ones were the best representation of the place. It's huge. I cannot emphasize this point enough.
The place is ****ing HUGE.
Even The Boy was gobsmacked. (Translation, "gob" = mouth. Hence "Gobsmackers" candy. IE: very shocked.) And he couldn't believe he had never been there before in his life.
The gobsmacked boy.
I couldn't believe this enormous place existed, hidden in a valley surrounded by trees, completely hidden away from the modern world and not visible from anywhere in the area.
So how about some history? It lies near the town of Ripon in North Yorkshire, a town name you might recognize if you watch Downton Abbey. Now you are probably thinking, "What is an abbey?" Well, I'll tell you! An abbey is a place that is occupied by monks or nuns. Now a family abbey is where a patriarchal estate has its basic functions and household operations. So we're not talking about the kind of abbey as made famous by the upstairs and downstairs lives of our favorite characters on PBS. Even though it's not actually filmed in Yorkshire. But this place, Fountains Abbey, a place where monks used to reside, is in Yorkshire. My favorite place in the world.
The Boy Points. One of our favorite picture-taking games.
It was founded in 1132 after some monks in the city of York had a dispute over wanting to return to the 6th Century Rule of Benedict, which you can read more about here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_St_Benedict
The monks were given some land by the Archbishop on which they were able to build their own church, which at the time was small, made of stone, and the outer building made of wood. They had tumultuous beginnings in the following years, with even a successful attempt at burning down the building in protest to their practices. They recovered and prospered, however. The new buildings were completed in 1170 though some additions were made afterwards. It is the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monastery in England sitting on 70 acres of land, with structured walls reaching over 300 feet long. I'm not even going to get in to all the numbers because there are so many additions to it throughout the years, it all gets muddled. But the place, as I said earlier, is HUGE.
Convinced yet?
Sadly, Henry VIII, you should know about him, ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries 1539, during his war with the Catholic church. The abbey was sacked and set afire, their income was appropriated, assets disposed of, and their members moved out. Some abbeys and monasteries survived very well preserved, some untouched and left whole. Others, like Fountains, were not so lucky. Monastic libraries were also destroyed, hundreds of books stolen or destroyed, which many historians see as a devastating cultural loss caused by the English Reformation.
There is a lovely visitors' centre at the abbey and a great gift shop, all run by the National Trust. I bought an excellent and very thorough guide book for only 5 quid and admission to the grounds was around 20 quid, which was a bit pricey but I don't mind paying extra for the upkeep of such a fantastic place. There is a bit of a walk between the centre and the actual grounds, but you'll enjoy the green Yorkshire countryside on your way there. It might even be a good idea to pack a picnic and bring it with you, sit on a blanket on the grounds, read a book, enjoy the sunlight. It was a beautiful day when we went and I can't wait to go back and take my parents. I'm dying to see my mom's face when she sees how amazing it is.
The last picture I want to show you is one I took of The Boy and it once again just shows the sheer scale of the place, but also the wonderment when you are standing in its shadow, feeling so tiny yet so amazed that people could build something so magnificent, even as far back as the 1100s. It's incredible, and I think this photo sums it up nicely as to why it should be on your list of places to see before you die. Which I think is what this blog is turning out to be about more often than anything. It also kind of looks like an epic movie poster. I hope you learned something from my post today, and have gained a new hope or dream or many in our journey this evening. Thank you for reading, and Happy New Year.
Hello, it's been a while!
I'm sorry once again for being late with posts. Between getting married, shuttling relatives from across the pond back and forth, Christmas, and a polar vortex, things have been insane. However, I'm starting up again. Here is my first official post with news of official content for you to read soon! Yay!!!
When? Tonight! I am sneakily posting this when I shouldn't be. Hehehehehe.
But I did visit Mother England again in June and have loads of new photos and stories to share with you. So hang tight, I'll be posting tonight!
Rhyme unintentional. Maybe.
I'm recommiting myself to my recommitment. I made a promise and didn't keep it. I don't know how many of you actually read my blog or was hoping for more, and I am sorry. But I am excited to be starting again and will be posting more often. I mean it this time. I meant it the last time but things got crazy.
I thank you for your patience and I hope you will continue this very British journey with me and that a few new comers join us as well. My hopes are high :)
Thank you again, and I'll be posting tonight, don't forget!!!
When? Tonight! I am sneakily posting this when I shouldn't be. Hehehehehe.
But I did visit Mother England again in June and have loads of new photos and stories to share with you. So hang tight, I'll be posting tonight!
Rhyme unintentional. Maybe.
I'm recommiting myself to my recommitment. I made a promise and didn't keep it. I don't know how many of you actually read my blog or was hoping for more, and I am sorry. But I am excited to be starting again and will be posting more often. I mean it this time. I meant it the last time but things got crazy.
I thank you for your patience and I hope you will continue this very British journey with me and that a few new comers join us as well. My hopes are high :)
Thank you again, and I'll be posting tonight, don't forget!!!
16 June, 2013
Apologies
Hello fellow Anglophiles and guests!
I'm so sorry I haven't had the time to post anything. As life would have it, I now have a full time job and a wedding to plan, so I haven't been doing much writing at all. A fact that I am very ashamed of. My blog has suffered, my novels have suffered, even my journal. I love writing, it is one of my greatest passions, and I simply have just been too knackered to bother!
This week I will be returning to England for a short visit and so will hopefully have some new and interesting things to share with you when I return. In the mean time, I'm going to recommit myself to this blog and hopefully post to you at least once a week.
Also, I would like to give you all a chance to direct me in what I post. Please feel free to send me a message regarding anything you would like to see covered on this blog, a question you would like answered, or anything generally British that you've been wondering about. If I don't know about it particularly well, I will research it to make sure I do justice to the subject in question.
I look forward to your inquiries! And I hope I haven't lost your interest during my hiatus.
Thank you for your time and patience and I shall be posting again very soon! xxx
Also, here is a photo of my blind cat Loki, named after British actor Tom Hiddleston's character in a very popular comic book summer block buster. I hope his cuteness makes up for my silence.
I'm so sorry I haven't had the time to post anything. As life would have it, I now have a full time job and a wedding to plan, so I haven't been doing much writing at all. A fact that I am very ashamed of. My blog has suffered, my novels have suffered, even my journal. I love writing, it is one of my greatest passions, and I simply have just been too knackered to bother!
This week I will be returning to England for a short visit and so will hopefully have some new and interesting things to share with you when I return. In the mean time, I'm going to recommit myself to this blog and hopefully post to you at least once a week.
Also, I would like to give you all a chance to direct me in what I post. Please feel free to send me a message regarding anything you would like to see covered on this blog, a question you would like answered, or anything generally British that you've been wondering about. If I don't know about it particularly well, I will research it to make sure I do justice to the subject in question.
I look forward to your inquiries! And I hope I haven't lost your interest during my hiatus.
Thank you for your time and patience and I shall be posting again very soon! xxx
Also, here is a photo of my blind cat Loki, named after British actor Tom Hiddleston's character in a very popular comic book summer block buster. I hope his cuteness makes up for my silence.
22 June, 2012
Conisbrough Castle
Castles! England is full of them. That's what most Americans think of when they think of historic England. Castles, knights in shining armour, princesses, jousting, rotting sewer in the streets, the Black Plague...
Unfortunately, when you go to see a castle, the chances are it'll just be a fancy manor home that gets noticed because its owners call it a "castle", or you'll be seeing something that looks like this:
a castle
(image from www.castlewales.com)
(image from www.castlewales.com)
No, really. That's a castle. Or it was. Something known as a Motte and Bailey Castle. Most of the earliest ones were constructed out of wood and plaster. These grassy mounds are all that is left, and they are every-freaking-where. You probably walked over one on your country-side hike and didn't even know you were treading on historic Britain.
You may occasionally find a place with a single stone wall still erect, but you're very rarely ever going to get to see what the Hollywood movies produce. Few castles really stand in all their former glory, and there is a reason for it. Most castles, the big stone wonders of your imagination, were all destroyed to prevent them from being used to enemy advantages during war. Plus, with modern times approaching, no one wants to live in a big, drafty, cold building that is just a little bit more comfortable than a tomb.
However, there are a few castles that remain in good enough condition that they are worth visiting. The one I'd like to talk about today is Conisbrough Castle, just outside of Doncaster in Yorkshire.
an Official English Heritage Sight
Needless to say this castle is very impressive. Not only is the Keep (pictured) in such good condition that it still reaches it's original height of 90 feet, you're able to actually walk around inside (and on the surrounding grounds) for an easy £4.50. The outer wall still stands but is in pretty rough condition, and the remaining buildings are nothing but a foot tall outline of where the walls used to be. The Keep, however, is impressive beyond impressing. There had been earlier buildings on the sight but this castle in particular was built in the 1100s and is one of the few round shaped Keeps in the country, as they were not very popular to build. The entire history of the castle can be bought and read in the guidebook at the gift shop, and if you go, I suggest you make the purchase for £1.50, as it gives a full look at who lived and died here.
View of the grounds from the top of the Keep
Myself and a big fireplace inside the Keep
Now, why wasn't this castle destroyed like many of the others? Sadly, by the time of Henry VIII's reign, the castle had fallen victim to neglect. Most of the walls had fallen as well as one floor inside the keep, and thus reached what is believed to be its present state of ruin. Who can use a castle that has fallen under disrepair; a castle that is no longer defensible? No one. Conisbrough Castle survived because it was neglected. It was no longer suitable for defence, and it wasn't destroyed (like many others) to prevent enemy usage. The castle was simply useless. That is why it is still here today. This amazing, impressive piece of architecture and civilization, centuries old, saved.
If you want to come to Great Britain to see castles, Conisbrough needs to be on your list, or you'll be deeply sorry. We even saw a few Kestrel chicks sitting on one of the ledges high up in the keep, so it's not been completely abandoned. ;) There is also a small but beautiful chapel inside, it's ornate carved ceiling still visible to the point where you can imagine what it must have looked like brand new.
I love being in places like this. I've always had a strange sense of the people who used to roam the halls of old buildings and houses, a sense of the strong emotions, events, and secrets that the walls whisper about. No, I'm not suggesting I'm psychic, or a medium of any sort. I simply have a strong emotional tie to people and the things that happen to them and it makes me emotional. While you may not witness this change in me, other than that I might have gone a bit quiet, it's one of the reason I enjoy visiting historical sights. Yeah, castles are freaking cool, but the people who lived there were even more interesting. I didn't get the willies except once whilst standing in the small chamber known as the "privy". That's the toilet room, if you don't know. I did, however, feel much appreciation for the abilities of the people who were able to build and erect such an immense structure, and wondered what sort of people they were.
Boyfriend eating a sandwich next to the Keep.
I also wished I could have seen it when it was new, when it was glorious. I'm sad such a place was neglected, but I'm happy it wasn't destroyed like so many of the others. Conisbrough Caslte: it's a stop on the (your) Great British Roadtrip that shouldn't be missed.
01 June, 2012
News Flash: The Hobbit
I have been wanting to include the occasional snippit of news and I thought this would be a good place to start. No, this is not about the film, not directly. This is about a pub in Southampton, England called "The Hobbit", and in Birmingham "The Hungry Hobbit", who are currently being sued by a film company for copyright infringement, despite that these places were named such before the newest incarnation of the film was even being considered. This news has been around for a couple of months now but I thought I would post it to help create a little more awareness as no decision has been reached on the matter. Journalist/actor/Etc Stephen Fry is appalled and is supporting the pub. Here is a link to the Facebook page and two news articles about it, and I hope that all the Hobbit pubs can be saved!
https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheHobbitSouthampton
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/14/stephen-fry-hobbit-pub-name?INTCMP=SRCH
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/16/hobbit-pub-copyright-resolution?INTCMP=SRCH
https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheHobbitSouthampton
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/14/stephen-fry-hobbit-pub-name?INTCMP=SRCH
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/16/hobbit-pub-copyright-resolution?INTCMP=SRCH
31 May, 2012
Speak the Lingo
Since I am getting ready cross the pond, and I hope that those of you who have never had the chance to will be able to do so in the future, it's a good idea to brush up on the local lingo before you arrive. Just because we both speak English here in the States and in Great Britain, it doesn't mean that we will be able to understand each other! I've had many amusing and funny conversations with my British companions on how to pronounce certain words and what things are called. You'd be surprised how different our language changes whenever you cross the Atlantic, which makes complete sense, but have you ever actually thought about it? No, they don't speak like Austin Powers. But yes, many people in Britain use the word "bloody" or "bloody hell". I'm sure I don't have to explain the meaning.
To begin, some quick words about items. Dealing with a car: bonnet = hood, boot = trunk, aerial = antennae, wing mirrors = side view mirrors. A "lorry" is a truck, driven by a lorry driver. And the "rubbish" you threw away earlier goes in the "bin" with a "bin bag", later to be picked up by "the bin men" who drive the "bin lorry".
When you go out and get cold make sure to put on your "jumper" and don't forget to put on a clean pair of "pants!" (i.e. underwear) and a comfortable pair of "trainers" on your feet. It is England so it might rain, in which case you'll need a "brolly". You might be going to a "car boot sale", where people sell antiques and rubbish they don't want anymore!
If you like eating "nosh" then you might want to know some words for things. "Aubergine" (pronounced Oh-burr-gine. Soft G sound.) This is an eggplant! Not to be confused with "courgettes" or zucchinis. Order yourself some "Bangers n mash" while you're there too! For "pudding", or dessert, you might like some "jelly", or Jell-O.
Moving on! Arse, blimey, snog, and bugger are all common terms I should hope you know already as well. So let's skip ahead! We will start with some basic slang, some of which you might hear when you're out at the pub with your friends.
"Ace" and "mint" are relatively similar in meaning. Both can mean "awesome" or "cool".
Example: "that band was ace!" or "this car is mint!"
"Cracking" can also fit in to this category. To be "cracking" is to be the best.
A "quid" is to "pound" like "buck" is to "dollar".
"All right". This in London and in many other southern parts of England and in parts of Wales use this as a greeting, like asking someone how they are.
"Innit" is the British version of our American "iddn it!?" or properly said "isn't it".
"Bollocks" is a common swear word, but not necessarily a very offensive one. I think you can figure it out. Ex: "Bollocks, my phone battery has died."
To "give it some welly" is to "give it some elbow grease".
"Wonky" is unstable or wobbly and "Dodgy" is like that back street neighborhood you don't want to walk in alone, but some people just aren't "bothered", or don't care.
"Cheeky" is to be a smart mouth, or flippant, or flirty. Ex: "You cheeky monkey!"
"Daft" = crazy.
"Gutted" is to be disappointed.
"Knackered", "zonked", and "shattered" are to be extremely tired. In which case you might want to take an afternoon "kip" and then maybe you can go to the kitchen and find yourself some "nosh" to eat, but heat it up on the "hob" first. Then you can take out the "rubbish", which can also mean "nonsense". Then you might go to the "loo" or "bog" to have a "slash" after drinking too many liquids! If you're going to be in there a little bit longer, make sure there is plenty of "bog roll".
And let's talk about the 'W' word which can be used in many ways. To be "wankered" is to be drunk; a "wanker" (or "tosser") is what you call a person being a jerk, and "wanking" is an action verb... well we don't discuss what a person does in private. That can also be interchanged with "toss/tossing".
Now when someone says "they are pissed" they are not angry. They are drunk. They are "on a bender" or have gone to a "piss up" aka party or a "do", where you might "fancy" smoking a "fag".
Scouser/Liverpudlian = someone from Liverpool.
Tyke = someone from Yorkshire (referring to the dialect)
Geordie = someone from Newcastle.
Cockney = someone from London or South England. (also referring to a kind of dialect/slang)
Manc = someone from Manchester.
Someone might tell you to shut your "gob" if you call them any of the following: clot, ponce, pikey, pillock, geezer, git, knob head, or namby pamby. Your "mates" wouldn't do that unless they were "taking the piss" with you though. Because friends can make jokes at each other. They're all "nutters" anyways!
If you're a girl and your boyfriend calls you "duck", please be flattered, because you are his "bird" since you've dated for a while now. If someone calls you a "minger", you're a bit unattractive! Though if you're a little bit "thick" as they say, you're just a bit dense.
And please, PLEASE, I know you're a tourist but refrain from calling your waist-strapped bag a "fanny pack". It will only bring hilariously naughty images to the minds of your British friends. If you must refer to this awful fashion faux pas, call it a "bum bag". Because fanny does not mean the same thing as "bum".
If you'd like to become even more fluent in British-English, check out www.effingpot.com
To begin, some quick words about items. Dealing with a car: bonnet = hood, boot = trunk, aerial = antennae, wing mirrors = side view mirrors. A "lorry" is a truck, driven by a lorry driver. And the "rubbish" you threw away earlier goes in the "bin" with a "bin bag", later to be picked up by "the bin men" who drive the "bin lorry".
When you go out and get cold make sure to put on your "jumper" and don't forget to put on a clean pair of "pants!" (i.e. underwear) and a comfortable pair of "trainers" on your feet. It is England so it might rain, in which case you'll need a "brolly". You might be going to a "car boot sale", where people sell antiques and rubbish they don't want anymore!
If you like eating "nosh" then you might want to know some words for things. "Aubergine" (pronounced Oh-burr-gine. Soft G sound.) This is an eggplant! Not to be confused with "courgettes" or zucchinis. Order yourself some "Bangers n mash" while you're there too! For "pudding", or dessert, you might like some "jelly", or Jell-O.
Bangers N Mash
Moving on! Arse, blimey, snog, and bugger are all common terms I should hope you know already as well. So let's skip ahead! We will start with some basic slang, some of which you might hear when you're out at the pub with your friends.
"Ace" and "mint" are relatively similar in meaning. Both can mean "awesome" or "cool".
Example: "that band was ace!" or "this car is mint!"
"Cracking" can also fit in to this category. To be "cracking" is to be the best.
A "quid" is to "pound" like "buck" is to "dollar".
"All right". This in London and in many other southern parts of England and in parts of Wales use this as a greeting, like asking someone how they are.
"Innit" is the British version of our American "iddn it!?" or properly said "isn't it".
"Bollocks" is a common swear word, but not necessarily a very offensive one. I think you can figure it out. Ex: "Bollocks, my phone battery has died."
To "give it some welly" is to "give it some elbow grease".
"Wonky" is unstable or wobbly and "Dodgy" is like that back street neighborhood you don't want to walk in alone, but some people just aren't "bothered", or don't care.
"Cheeky" is to be a smart mouth, or flippant, or flirty. Ex: "You cheeky monkey!"
"Daft" = crazy.
"Gutted" is to be disappointed.
"Knackered", "zonked", and "shattered" are to be extremely tired. In which case you might want to take an afternoon "kip" and then maybe you can go to the kitchen and find yourself some "nosh" to eat, but heat it up on the "hob" first. Then you can take out the "rubbish", which can also mean "nonsense". Then you might go to the "loo" or "bog" to have a "slash" after drinking too many liquids! If you're going to be in there a little bit longer, make sure there is plenty of "bog roll".
"Petrol Station's" in the UK have bogs that are just as "manky" as ours!
And let's talk about the 'W' word which can be used in many ways. To be "wankered" is to be drunk; a "wanker" (or "tosser") is what you call a person being a jerk, and "wanking" is an action verb... well we don't discuss what a person does in private. That can also be interchanged with "toss/tossing".
Now when someone says "they are pissed" they are not angry. They are drunk. They are "on a bender" or have gone to a "piss up" aka party or a "do", where you might "fancy" smoking a "fag".
Scouser/Liverpudlian = someone from Liverpool.
Tyke = someone from Yorkshire (referring to the dialect)
Geordie = someone from Newcastle.
Cockney = someone from London or South England. (also referring to a kind of dialect/slang)
Manc = someone from Manchester.
Someone might tell you to shut your "gob" if you call them any of the following: clot, ponce, pikey, pillock, geezer, git, knob head, or namby pamby. Your "mates" wouldn't do that unless they were "taking the piss" with you though. Because friends can make jokes at each other. They're all "nutters" anyways!
If you're a girl and your boyfriend calls you "duck", please be flattered, because you are his "bird" since you've dated for a while now. If someone calls you a "minger", you're a bit unattractive! Though if you're a little bit "thick" as they say, you're just a bit dense.
And please, PLEASE, I know you're a tourist but refrain from calling your waist-strapped bag a "fanny pack". It will only bring hilariously naughty images to the minds of your British friends. If you must refer to this awful fashion faux pas, call it a "bum bag". Because fanny does not mean the same thing as "bum".
If you'd like to become even more fluent in British-English, check out www.effingpot.com
30 May, 2012
Tower Bridge
Many people, who have never been to London, or don't really find out if the facts are straight, often confuse something.
They confuse this:
What is this? Don't say "London Bridge". If you do, you are one of the confused people. This is, in fact, Tower Bridge. It gets its name for its location being very near the Tower of London. It sits on the Thames River, (closest pronunciation; something like "Tims"), and was built in 1886 and finished in 1894. It's a combined bascule and suspension bridge.
This is London Bridge, down the river a bit. Spot the difference? Now you are well on your way to being an Great Britain Factoid Snob! :-)
They confuse this:
(photo from: london-attractions.info)
(nrm.wikipedia.org)
This is London Bridge, down the river a bit. Spot the difference? Now you are well on your way to being an Great Britain Factoid Snob! :-)
Tips For Travel
Once again I'd like to apologize for my absence! The last semester of university was a tough one and I was working from morning until I passed out, very late into the night, for weeks to get my assignments done. My social life suffered I'm afraid and I didn't have much motivation or energy to think about blogs or my own hobbies. What little free time I had was spent vegging in front of the television, as little as an hour every three or four days. So I hope you understand!
I have about a weekend left before I hop back in to an airplane and fly back to England for an extended holiday. A much needed holiday that is before I have to enter the real world and get a real job and be a real contributor to society. I hope to post frequently during my time there as I experience new and wonderful British things for us Anglophiles to obsess over. Today however, I shall discuss what to pack and how to prepare for travel, for those of you who are globe trotting virgins.
Let me just say, traveling is fun, but the people you're traveling with can be annoying. And I'm not talking about your friends who are going with you. I mean the other 300 people on the airplane. For some reason, people like to push their limits when it comes to carry-on bags. Not only do these people take up loads of cabin storage space, they take forever to get their luggage up and down and situated where they want it, thus delaying the line of people wanting to get off or get in their seats.
Helpful Tip Number One: keep your carry-on luggage light. A backpack (plus your purse, and keep this one small, ladies) is all you need, which you can keep at your feet. Unless there is some reason you need to be bringing your laptop with you, such as for business, there's no need for it when you have a fancy-pants smart phone, and you'll be too busy sight-seeing and soaking up culture to be sat in your room looking at porn or playing MineCraft during your holiday. Leave the computer at home.
Tip Number Two: In the said backpack, keep a light jacket or zipper hoodie, your camera, Kindle (or iPad, or whatever Tablet you have if you have one, or an old fashioned book if you prefer!), your medication should be in a small zip lock baggy and no liquids over 3 ounces are allowed in carry-on bags. So anything like Germ-X, contact lens solution, and toothpaste needs to be in small containers, all in a zip lock baggy. Keeping your toothbrush in your backpack is a good idea not only to brush your teeth on the plane for an over night flight (if you're very bothered about it), but if your luggage gets lost you at least have your important things still with you. Also keep an ink pen handy and a mini travel umbrella, and your phone charger.
Tips on Food: Airplane food is not that bad, it's better than hospital food by miles, but if you're picky you are welcome to buy your meal in the airport and bring it on the plane with you, as long as it is food and drink that you purchased after you've gone through security.
Tips for Airport Security: Keeping things under 3 ounces and in zip lock baggies is one part of getting through security. The shoes you're wearing should be comfortable and easy to get on and off because you're going to have to remove them and send them through [the scary X-Ray machine] with your other belongings. Laptops are to be taken out of the bag and put in as well, jackets taken off, and any metal such as a big belt buckle. Fingernail clippers and files are NOT allowed. It's a good idea to check the airport security guidelines for things they do not want you taking in your luggage or carry-on luggage. And please, don't complain about being scanned, X-rayed, patted down, luggage searched, etc. Just stay calm, do as your told, and they'll move you through quickly. Complaining only makes them suspicious of you and makes people behind you impatient and angry. Be scanned quietly and calmly like everyone else, it's for your safety and everyone else's. Small price to pay.
Arriving At Your Destination: Have your official travel itenerary from the email the airline sent you printed out and ready when you get off the plane, along with your passport and even an extra ID like a driver's license ready, so you're not fumbling through your things when you go through customs. Be prepared to be asked a lot of questions, especially during high security times like during the Olympics. Just stay calm and answer honestly. Mini Tip: Don't panic if you don't see your luggage on the carousel right away. International airports are super busy and very big, some times it just takes a bit for the drivers to get your luggage over to the pick up area.
Quick Tip: Do not take anything from a stranger in an airport or be asked to watch someone's luggage. The airport security will ask you if you have done this several times before you board.
Obviously I'm not going to mention your basic essentials like tooth brushes and underwear, but let me give you a few tips on how to save room in your suit case and on weight of your luggage:
Let me emphasize this rule: layering. Especially for girls who may get chilly easily. Layering tank tops and T-shirts, or T-shirts and hoodies, or camisoles and cardigans together is a MUST. You can always take off a layer if you get hot and carrying around a zip up hoodie or light jacket to add on if you get cold. Easy.
If you can keep your luggage down to one suit case per person, you're golden.
Money Tip: Many countries in Europe and the UK in particular no longer use swipe-based credit/debit cards. They use a system called Chip and Pin. These cards are available to US travelers through companies like Travelex. However, most ATMs still take the standard swipe cards, so if you aren't comfortable with a company you don't know giving you a chip and pin, stick to getting cash from the ATM frequently. There are the standard cost for it of course, but what can you do? Make sure you have a currency calculator on your phone or keep track by other means on how much your spending because while 15 pounds doesn't seem like much for a meal, you're actually spending around $23 or more. You'll come home with much less than you thought you would or run out completely if you aren't watching. Also, at airports and banks you are charged for exchanging your cash in hand, so keep track of rates before you travel.
Electronics Tip: Travel with as few electronic items as possible. The less valuables like these you have, the less stress you'll have. Only take what you need. An electronic plug adapter can be bought at RadioShack or Target, (I got mine for $10 and it had all global adapters in it, but only bringing the one I need), to be able to charge your phone. There is a difference between and adapter and a voltage converter, make sure you know which you'll need. If you're staying in a hotel that probably has a hair dryer in the bathroom, don't bother bringing yours. Some digital cameras have an upload button on them so that eleminates the need for a laptop to upload your photos. Some phones and tablets have apps available to find Points of Interests as well if you're wanting to find restaurants, museums, etc quickly.
Hotel Tip: Companies like EF College Breaks charge you for the trip as a whole and therefore you don't have to worry about hotels as they are part of the package. I like companies like this because it's a good way to see a few cool places and meet new people for a good price that includes food and hotels. However, if you are going on your own with friends or family, and you aren't too bothered about staying in a luxury hotel or one that has a whole lot of privacy, try out a hostel. Hostels are cheap, $20 for public rooms, $23 for private. But book quickly because they fill up quick.
Remember Less IS More. Traveling can be stressful but if you are prepared it can and will be more enjoyable. I love traveling. I love sitting in the airport and listening to the airplanes take off. I like talking and meeting new people I'm sitting next to and I like arriving at my destination knowing I've traveled so far and made it successfully. It gives a strong sense of independence, especially if you're like me from a small town where most people are caught in the net and never leave. It's a great feeling to get out there and learn something about cultures, and even about yourself by being out of your comfort zone, in a place very different from what you're used to. Happy travels!
I have about a weekend left before I hop back in to an airplane and fly back to England for an extended holiday. A much needed holiday that is before I have to enter the real world and get a real job and be a real contributor to society. I hope to post frequently during my time there as I experience new and wonderful British things for us Anglophiles to obsess over. Today however, I shall discuss what to pack and how to prepare for travel, for those of you who are globe trotting virgins.
Let me just say, traveling is fun, but the people you're traveling with can be annoying. And I'm not talking about your friends who are going with you. I mean the other 300 people on the airplane. For some reason, people like to push their limits when it comes to carry-on bags. Not only do these people take up loads of cabin storage space, they take forever to get their luggage up and down and situated where they want it, thus delaying the line of people wanting to get off or get in their seats.
Helpful Tip Number One: keep your carry-on luggage light. A backpack (plus your purse, and keep this one small, ladies) is all you need, which you can keep at your feet. Unless there is some reason you need to be bringing your laptop with you, such as for business, there's no need for it when you have a fancy-pants smart phone, and you'll be too busy sight-seeing and soaking up culture to be sat in your room looking at porn or playing MineCraft during your holiday. Leave the computer at home.
Tip Number Two: In the said backpack, keep a light jacket or zipper hoodie, your camera, Kindle (or iPad, or whatever Tablet you have if you have one, or an old fashioned book if you prefer!), your medication should be in a small zip lock baggy and no liquids over 3 ounces are allowed in carry-on bags. So anything like Germ-X, contact lens solution, and toothpaste needs to be in small containers, all in a zip lock baggy. Keeping your toothbrush in your backpack is a good idea not only to brush your teeth on the plane for an over night flight (if you're very bothered about it), but if your luggage gets lost you at least have your important things still with you. Also keep an ink pen handy and a mini travel umbrella, and your phone charger.
Tips on Food: Airplane food is not that bad, it's better than hospital food by miles, but if you're picky you are welcome to buy your meal in the airport and bring it on the plane with you, as long as it is food and drink that you purchased after you've gone through security.
"Plane Food" by Gordon Ramsay available in a thermal keepsake bag
from Heathrow Airport in London. I'll have the salmon!
Tips for Airport Security: Keeping things under 3 ounces and in zip lock baggies is one part of getting through security. The shoes you're wearing should be comfortable and easy to get on and off because you're going to have to remove them and send them through [the scary X-Ray machine] with your other belongings. Laptops are to be taken out of the bag and put in as well, jackets taken off, and any metal such as a big belt buckle. Fingernail clippers and files are NOT allowed. It's a good idea to check the airport security guidelines for things they do not want you taking in your luggage or carry-on luggage. And please, don't complain about being scanned, X-rayed, patted down, luggage searched, etc. Just stay calm, do as your told, and they'll move you through quickly. Complaining only makes them suspicious of you and makes people behind you impatient and angry. Be scanned quietly and calmly like everyone else, it's for your safety and everyone else's. Small price to pay.
Arriving At Your Destination: Have your official travel itenerary from the email the airline sent you printed out and ready when you get off the plane, along with your passport and even an extra ID like a driver's license ready, so you're not fumbling through your things when you go through customs. Be prepared to be asked a lot of questions, especially during high security times like during the Olympics. Just stay calm and answer honestly. Mini Tip: Don't panic if you don't see your luggage on the carousel right away. International airports are super busy and very big, some times it just takes a bit for the drivers to get your luggage over to the pick up area.
Quick Tip: Do not take anything from a stranger in an airport or be asked to watch someone's luggage. The airport security will ask you if you have done this several times before you board.
Obviously I'm not going to mention your basic essentials like tooth brushes and underwear, but let me give you a few tips on how to save room in your suit case and on weight of your luggage:
- Shampoo and soaps: it's heavy, it's bulky. If you can stand to not pack any at all that's a good place to start. When you arrive at your destination you can locate the nearest druggist, Morrison's, or Sainsbury's and purchase your shampoo, soaps, shaving creams, and hair products. Many brands are similar or the same. It may be an extra cost, but it'll cost you more if your suitcase is over 50lbs at the airport.
- Tips for the Shoe-Loving Lady: You're going to have to choose which pair of your lovelies to leave behind. The fewer you take, the better. I try to stick to the small number 3 plus the pair I'm wearing on my feet when I travel. That's two pairs of comfortable walking shoes, (I have Simple brand for daily use and low-top Chucks when I want to be cuter) one pair of nice, night-out date shoes that go with any outfit (such as sandals, wedges, or flats), and a pair of sandals for when it's nice enough outside to show off the legs a bit. Even this number can be reduced if you try hard enough.
- Shoes for Men: Two pairs--good walking shoes and nice night-out shoes or boots.
- Purses for the Ladies: Bring a small or medium sized purse that matches most or all of your outfits. You won't want to bring multiple ones that can take up space in your luggage. I prefer a purse with a long strap that I can cross over my shoulder so I'm not adjusting it and hanging on to it all the time. Backpack purses are great but are easy for pick pockets to get in to so try to avoid those.
- A light jacket, rain jacket, and hoodie (I prefer zipper hoodies)
- T-shirts
- Tank tops or Camisoles
- Capri or Knee-length shorts
- Jeans
- Button up shirts
- Cardigans
- Long sleeve T-shirts
- For the Ladies on Date Night, if you swap skirts and dresses for nice jeans and a killer blouse you'll save room on bulk.
Let me emphasize this rule: layering. Especially for girls who may get chilly easily. Layering tank tops and T-shirts, or T-shirts and hoodies, or camisoles and cardigans together is a MUST. You can always take off a layer if you get hot and carrying around a zip up hoodie or light jacket to add on if you get cold. Easy.
If you can keep your luggage down to one suit case per person, you're golden.
Money Tip: Many countries in Europe and the UK in particular no longer use swipe-based credit/debit cards. They use a system called Chip and Pin. These cards are available to US travelers through companies like Travelex. However, most ATMs still take the standard swipe cards, so if you aren't comfortable with a company you don't know giving you a chip and pin, stick to getting cash from the ATM frequently. There are the standard cost for it of course, but what can you do? Make sure you have a currency calculator on your phone or keep track by other means on how much your spending because while 15 pounds doesn't seem like much for a meal, you're actually spending around $23 or more. You'll come home with much less than you thought you would or run out completely if you aren't watching. Also, at airports and banks you are charged for exchanging your cash in hand, so keep track of rates before you travel.
Electronics Tip: Travel with as few electronic items as possible. The less valuables like these you have, the less stress you'll have. Only take what you need. An electronic plug adapter can be bought at RadioShack or Target, (I got mine for $10 and it had all global adapters in it, but only bringing the one I need), to be able to charge your phone. There is a difference between and adapter and a voltage converter, make sure you know which you'll need. If you're staying in a hotel that probably has a hair dryer in the bathroom, don't bother bringing yours. Some digital cameras have an upload button on them so that eleminates the need for a laptop to upload your photos. Some phones and tablets have apps available to find Points of Interests as well if you're wanting to find restaurants, museums, etc quickly.
The British Adapter
Hotel Tip: Companies like EF College Breaks charge you for the trip as a whole and therefore you don't have to worry about hotels as they are part of the package. I like companies like this because it's a good way to see a few cool places and meet new people for a good price that includes food and hotels. However, if you are going on your own with friends or family, and you aren't too bothered about staying in a luxury hotel or one that has a whole lot of privacy, try out a hostel. Hostels are cheap, $20 for public rooms, $23 for private. But book quickly because they fill up quick.
Remember Less IS More. Traveling can be stressful but if you are prepared it can and will be more enjoyable. I love traveling. I love sitting in the airport and listening to the airplanes take off. I like talking and meeting new people I'm sitting next to and I like arriving at my destination knowing I've traveled so far and made it successfully. It gives a strong sense of independence, especially if you're like me from a small town where most people are caught in the net and never leave. It's a great feeling to get out there and learn something about cultures, and even about yourself by being out of your comfort zone, in a place very different from what you're used to. Happy travels!
05 January, 2012
Many Apologies!
I am sorry I haven't posted in so long. Being in university and getting engaged keeps a person awful busy! I will try to get some more posts soon to feed your Anglophilia!
Stay tuned!
18 October, 2011
The Humber Bridge
Under the topic of AngloArchitecture, we'd like to tell you about a bridge. Now in America we always think of the Golden Gate Bridge as a very large, amazing piece of architecture. True, when it was built in the 1930s it was quite an accomplishment and remains an American symbol to this day. In Great Britain, they have their own architectural achievement as well in the world of suspension bridges.
Across the Humber River, an estuary formed from the rivers Trent and Ouse, sits the Humber Bridge. Connecting the East Riding of Yorkshire with North Linconshire, it is the 5th largest single span suspension bridge in the world, making it longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. It held the record for the longest in the world for 16 years when it was first built.
Humber Bridge North Tower and footpath.
Work on the bridge didn't begin until 1972 and was first opened to drivers in 1981. The construction itself was quite an accomplishment as builders ran into many difficulties during the build that slowed production. The ground underneath the river in which the foundations of one of the towers was to be set was uneven, and they also experienced leaks as well. You can read up about the entire construction of the bridge on their website. http://www.humberbridge.co.uk/index.php
View of the Humber River from the Humber Bridge walkway.
Today more than 120,000 vehicles, commercial and private, cross the bridge weekly, and if you fancy a walk feel free to cross the bridge on foot!
13 September, 2011
Yorkshire Pudding
Because food is often one of the most talked about sub-topics when discussing culture, here at AngloFiles we're going to be showing you quite a few dishes you may or may not know of that the every day Brit will probably consume.
We've already discussed the time-honored tradition of fish n chips, so today our subject is Yorkshire Pudding. Now, if you're from the United States it is easy for the image of pudding to pop into your head.
Like so:
pudding.
Chocolate, vanilla, tapioca, banana, rice, and butterscotch. Chocolate sprinkles on top? Nilla Wafers mixed in? Whipped Cream? Crushed up Oreos with a gummy worm? The possibilities of sweet tooth satisfactory are endless. However in Britain, this is typically called "custard" and that's understandable, we Americans get that, but what does that mean about the word "pudding"? It means quite a lot actually and can refer to several things. Today we're discussing only one of those definitions: the Yorkshire Pudding.
Yorkshire Puddings
Yorkshire Pudding originated in, can you guess? Yorkshire, and is usually served with meat and gravy. Originally it was made as an inexpensive way to fill your stomach so you wouldn't eat as much during tea (supper time in Yorkshire). You'd eat it first and then not want to eat as much, thus saving money for other things. Today it is made for one purpose: gravy. That's right. Pour your gravy into the bowl-like shape of the soft, warm pudding or use it as a bread roll to mop up the gravy left on your plate after you've finished your meat and potatoes. That's pretty much Yorkshire Pudding in a nutshell. I highly recommend trying it on your next trip to the Dales.
24 August, 2011
History Lesson: War of the Roses
Today I'd like to present an Anglo History Lesson. I'll be quick and concise, and not bore you to death! When you travel throughout the English countryside, say in Yorkshire or Lancashire, you may see something like this:
Pronounced "Ooze-fleet"
I don't just mean the strange town names. I mean the little symbol to the left of it. It is a rose. Well two roses in particular are fairly, and by fairly I mean very, famous. The Red Rose of Lancaster (or Lancashire), and the
White Rose of York (or Yorkshire). These roses were the symbols of the two sides of the family Plantagenet, that had claim to the English throne. As you can guess, there was a civil war about it! I don't have to tell you the obvious reason for its name, but I can tell you that it was also referred to as the Cousins' War. I might add a side note here: Philippa Gregory's series "The Cousin's War" novels are very good but not 100% accurate--historical fiction, but if you're interested in the families and who was who, I enjoyed them and would recommend them.
Just some facts now: it began in 1455 with the First Battle of St. Albans and didn't end until the year 1485 at Bosworth. A lot happened during these 30 years. The throne was taken over back and forth between sides, and many nobles became turncoats for whoever they felt they could benefit most from.
Richard III of York came to the throne after his brother Edward IV died and his heirs were deemed unfit for being crowned. You may have heard during this time, Edward IV's sons, Edward and Richard were locked away in the Tower [of London], which at the time was more of a stately safe house for royals, not the prison and center of torture that we think of today. They disappeared in the Tower and were never seen again, leaving the way open for Richard to become king. (Two skeletons of young boys were found centuries later under the steps, and many speculate who the murderer was, Richard III himself is a suspect.)
A few years later, Henry Tudor, a Lancastrian heir, came out of exile with an army and defeated Richard III and took the throne as his own, crowned Henry VII. I'm sure you can guess who his son is. He married Edward IV's daughter, Elizabeth of York. (Her mother, Elizabeth Woodville, was often rumored to have dabbled in witchcraft.) With this union between Lancaster and York, England was at peace. The two roses together became the new symbol for England united. For a while anyways... but that's another history lesson. So, when you're in England and you see the red or white rose anywhere, you'll know what county you're in and why it's there.
11 August, 2011
Beverly Minster
Old towns are a must. That's just Great Britain isn't it? All towns are old for the most part, but not old as in walking with a cane and metallic shoes, but rather... old as in historic. What do most old, historic towns have? Churches, usually.
Me facing St. Mary's
in Beverly
Certainly seeing the churches in Britain is one of the things you should do. There are so many to choose from and so many that are recommended for their beauty, age, and history. It would be quite a trip to see all of them, to be sure. Even if you're not religious or spiritual, they are still spectacular sights to see, most with very rich histories.
One church I had the pleasure of visiting during my trip was Beverly Minster, in Beverly. That's up north (THE NORTH!!!! as they say) in Yorkshire. The town itself is a lovely one to visit with a lot of history on its own. The Minster, however, is something you don't want to miss when you go.
The structure that stands there today begun in 1250 though it stands on the grounds of a Saxon abbey founded in about 700. Inside you'll see wonderful stained glass windows, ancient graves, and let me just say the organ player was an absolute ace with his fingers. You could hear the pipes bellowing from outside so loud and clear, it was the perfect added effect to the ambiance of the old church that just made the visit ten times more enjoyable.
Beverly Minster
Also very humbling was the memorial to the troops who fought and sacrificed their lives during WWI, lists of names behind glass that went on seemingly forever, and all just from the East Riding area of Yorkshire. Flags from the war itself, still hang in the church in taters, and it is a quiet moment indeed that makes you feel both pride and awe for those who fought to keep their home safe. A part of you wants to feel sad for those who were lost, the other part an overpowering sense of respect and gratefulness to the soldiers and their families.
I can't say this is the largest or most magnificent church to be seen in Great Britain, but it is certainly one to take a detour to see should you be in the East Yorkshire area. I loved going, it was beautiful and awe-inspiring and I certainly think it is a day anyone would remember during their trip. Beverly itself is also full of shops and other places to see if your in town for a while. Also, if you fancy a bit of kite flying after your trip to the Minster, stop outside the town to Beverly Westwood, take a hike up the hill and have nice day outside. There are plenty of wooded areas to explore as well, just be careful not to run over any of the local cows...
Cow near cow crossing
at Beverly Westwood
08 August, 2011
Fish N Chips
I decided to start off with the namesake of our URL, a traditional meal of Fish N Chips. This is something you always hear about when it comes to anything that is culturally British and if you visit is something that you cannot, I repeat, cannot miss out on.
It's fairly simple to understand: fish and chips. Now in the States our understanding of "chips" usually has to do with Pringles or Wavy Lays. In Britain, chips are what we call french fries. This meal is generally sold as take away (take out), and served in a number of different ways. Sometimes it is sold with a side of mushy peas (exactly what it sounds like) or curry sauce to dip your chips in. Some people put vinegar all over, and others still prefer tartar sauce. A lot of places still serve it wrapped up in newspaper!
Fish N Chips, according to sources, was first introduced in the mid 1800s, and is traditionally battered cod, but could be haddock or other similar fish. There isn't a place in Britain that doesn't serve their own, and while my first experiences of it came in a card board box that was sold to me out of a van sitting at the side of the road, I was hooked instantly. There is nothing Long John Silvers has on the original, and I've never even really liked fish.
My second experience of having it was in Whitby at The Duke of York Harbour Inn, a lovely place in it's original building "at the bottom of the 199 steps". http://www.dukeofyork.co.uk/
This dish was a bit fancier than your traditional take away, served with chips, peas (not mushy), lemon, and coleslaw. The haddock was as long as my arm from my wrist to elbow and the chips were large and fat as they were supposed to be, all for 8.95 (GBP). It was delicious and I'd highly recommend eating there. But if you can't make it to Whitby don't fret, fish n chips are served everywhere and are always in sight. Signs everywhere pointing to where you can get your fix. The smell is recognizable as well and a pleasant one that makes you crave it as soon as the scent hits your nostrils. Let your nose lead the way!
Me at the Duke of York
in Whitby
If you take a trip to Britain, you have no excuses to miss out on this tasty tradition. And saying you've eaten it at Long John Silvers or anywhere else that isn't Britain, you still fail. You must do it properly and you won't regret it!
07 August, 2011
Hello and Welcome! :)
Hiya! And may I just say that I am happy you are here because I know that means we were brought together by a common interest: Great Britain and the United Kingdom. You're an Anglophile, proud and true (or perhaps still in the closet!). So let's start with some introductions. I am an Anglophile too, and have been for many years. It started off with an interest in history and an obsessive attraction for the English accent, though it wasn't until college that I was referred to as an Anglophile and I wore that label with pride from then on out. With some strange bit of luck I ended up landing a wonderful man in my life who happens to be born and raised English so I am quite literally now an Anglophile. I have also traveled to the wonderful land that it is and experienced it first hand.
Now, enough about myself. Here is what you can expect from this blog, which is for you and others like you who desire to learn more about our fellow friends across the pond. You can expect this blog to be very specific rather than generalized, presented as individual experiences or pieces of culture and news. Each post will be about something in particular. For example, one post may profile a person who you should know about while another may profile a pub that you should know about. Everything is fair game, from food to places to see, things to do, all things social and cultural, as well as history that needs to be mentioned. Anything and everything, in other words! In the mean time, feel free to check out the links I have provided and I hope you enjoy this journey with me exploring the world of the British.
Cheers!
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