England Unfiltered
We came, we saw and we probably overstayed our welcome. In the year that was the global pandemic, we saw Australia turn its back on its citizens trapped overseas, effectively making it impossible for them to return home for upwards of 10 months (the only country in the world to do so), also leaving thousands either financially destitute and/or suffering from depression, stress, and anxiety. We were very fortunate not to be caught up in the nightmare that ensued (and continues) for many, and are still ever thankful to Boris, England and its inhabitants for providing us with a refuge from the craziness that erupted on the 17 March causing us to beat a hasty retreat out of the USA.
We’ve spent 6+ months in total in the UK this year (including three lockdowns totalling 5 months … and counting), what follows are the things we loved … and not so much, in no particular order.
Things we LOVED …
Caramel Bars
Monster Munches
Public Pathways & Bridleways
The Cotswolds
Civilised queuing
Harry Potter World
Haworth
York
Yorkshire
Gogglebox UK
Taskmaster
Graham Norton
Stratford Upon Avon
Politeness and consideration of others
LGBTQI Pedestrian lights around Trafalgar Square (hetero pictured but they had male/female combos and even a threesome)
Royal Mail – 1st class delivery the next day & deliveries on Saturdays!
Bath
London – especially the Christmas lights
Escape to the Chateau unlimited
English Pubs
The gorgeous meal Trace & Paul’s friend Nathan cooked up for us in Haworth
Mail delivered through slot in your front door – gives us heart failure every time though 🙂
Cumberland sausages
Recycling of food scraps, batteries and electrical items (fortnightly collection)
London Cabs
The wild daffodils in Spring
The Christmas Doorways
London Double-Decker Red Buses
Stonewalls in Yorkshire
Sainsbury’s Indian Meals & Yorkshire Puds
Smart Shop @ Sainsbury’s
NHS and the reciprocal agreement with Australia
The cute Co-Op delivery robots in Milton Keynes
The Snow – although only a little bit for a day
But by far our bestest, most favourite thing in the UK are these two gorgeous American/Aussie twin babies (Jules & Remi) that entered the world in May.
Not So Much …
Having to pack your own groceries at the supermarket (first world problem overcome with aforementioned “Sainsbury’s Smart Shop”)
Morrisons Supermarkets
The trucks on the motorways (same, same as truck drivers everywhere)
Black Pudding
Modern Menus/Cuisine in a lot of Pubs
The Concrete Cows in Milton Keynes (believe it or not, an artist was paid money to create these!)
Scratching our Heads ….
No glass bottles and jars allowed in Council recycling bins in Banbury (have to take them to a recycling centre)
Park facing any direction on the road
Made us Chuckle …
Possible options for “title” when registering for a “Nectar” card (supermarket frequent shopper rewards card) includes; Sir, Dame, Lord, Lady, Earl, Countess etc. Would any of these people actually apply for such a card??
(The Last) Daily Giggle:
Trying to pay for parking by calling an automated service. Have to say car rego … first attempt – computer gets it wrong, second attempt, MM leaves out the numbers, third attempt, MM says “sixty two” instead of “six, two” by this stage both of us in fits of laughter … eventually had to text rego.
F*CKING AUTOMATED COMPUTER PHONE THINGO!
6 Comments
Tom
Those cows are creeping me the F out. As for Taskmaster, i was not aware you guys are such huge comic book fans. But yeah, I will miss our weekly Germanoanglic virtual meet ups but hey.. Now we can finally meet in person on different continents. Oh, wait..
Diane Cooper
What a wonderful review! So many people don’t find London or the UK anywhere near as interesting as you/we do. And I can’t wait to one day see the Christmas lights in London either!
Lynda Maxwell
Brilliant review. We will miss following the Broads Aboard, have had so many good laughs, learnt a lot & seen some great photos. Thanks Ladies.
Deb, Pep n Tayla
Love this! So pleased that your list of “Loves” by far outweighs the “Not so much” – though I can’t believe Marks n Spencer sandwiches (and in fact their food in general) doesn’t make your Love list – Or Pret a Manger, I sooo miss not having “good” sarnies over here!
And as Cody is currently a Royal Mail employee up in Scotland (and loving it!!) I’m delighted you are happy with their service too. I think he must be the only Postie in Ayrshire to still be wearing shorts despite the minus 10 plus temperatures up there. He is known as the mad Aussie which I find hilarous, but its probably just as well up there that no-one thinks he is actually “English” . . . . . . Well born there but he considers himself Aussie too 🙂
From some of the comments I’m wondering if this is the end of your blogging (hopefully just a break) but if so make sure you stay in touch via other methods please!! Stay well xxxxx
Christopher Urtz
When one door closes, another window opens. Or something like that. I hope some day, in 1000s of years, archaeologists stumble onto this blog and are able to get some laughs out of it. As Humphrey Bogart put it (I’m paraphrasing, of course): “We’ll always have Tamarindo … and Regensburg … and of course, Munich.” 🙂
Raechel Strong
Love this (and all your other posts!)
Such an amazing year together and an opportunity that most moms and daughters could only dream of. You 2 really gave each other the best gift.
Love you both and can’t wait to hear details on the next chapter for each of you!!