What Makes Britain 'Great'?
May 17th 2005, 5:22 pm
#76
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
It took moving to the USA to make us really understand and appreciate what our homeland - the UK - really has and how wonderful a place it is, and why so many people the world over would give their all to live there. The world is a big place with plenty to see and do but we shall be forever British.
As the great William Wordsworth said:
"I traveled among unknown men, in lands beyond the sea; nor England! did I know till then what love I bore to thee. "
How very, very true.
As the great William Wordsworth said:
"I traveled among unknown men, in lands beyond the sea; nor England! did I know till then what love I bore to thee. "
How very, very true.
May 17th 2005, 5:24 pm
#77
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Cairns, Qld.
Posts: 2,863
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by ImHere
It took moving to the USA to make us really understand and appreciate what our homeland - the UK - really has and how wonderful a place it is, and why so many people the world over would give their all to live there. The world is a big place with plenty to see and do but we shall be forever British.
As the great William Wordsworth said:
"I traveled among unknown men, in lands beyond the sea; nor England! did I know till then what love I bore to thee. "
How very, very true.
As the great William Wordsworth said:
"I traveled among unknown men, in lands beyond the sea; nor England! did I know till then what love I bore to thee. "
How very, very true.
May 17th 2005, 9:59 pm
#78
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by tonyk38
I remember going there mid-Summer and it was freezing! 
May 17th 2005, 10:11 pm
#79
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by bondipom
Sydneysiders go up there for Christmas in July. The crisp mornings up there reminded me of Britain.
( The blue mountains in winter)
Last edited by aussie73; May 17th 2005 at 10:13 pm.
May 17th 2005, 10:11 pm
#80
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Its very cold here in West London at the moment.
I cant believe its May and how cold it is.
Although I love the sunshine as Im so happy when its sunny.
I wouldnt move anywhere because of the weather.
Nice weather can make everything seem better, but you take your 'baggage' with you.
I want to move because it feels right for me.
London will always be 'mine'.
I cant believe its May and how cold it is.
Although I love the sunshine as Im so happy when its sunny.
I wouldnt move anywhere because of the weather.
Nice weather can make everything seem better, but you take your 'baggage' with you.
I want to move because it feels right for me.
London will always be 'mine'.
May 18th 2005, 8:23 am
#81
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 448
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by Professional Princess
Its very cold here in West London at the moment.
I cant believe its May and how cold it is.
Although I love the sunshine as Im so happy when its sunny.
I wouldnt move anywhere because of the weather.
Nice weather can make everything seem better, but you take your 'baggage' with you.
I want to move because it feels right for me.
London will always be 'mine'.
I cant believe its May and how cold it is.
Although I love the sunshine as Im so happy when its sunny.
I wouldnt move anywhere because of the weather.
Nice weather can make everything seem better, but you take your 'baggage' with you.
I want to move because it feels right for me.
London will always be 'mine'.
OK Confession time. I have webcams on my favourites list and jump onto them every few days: Big Ben (whaahh sniff-I still get goosebumps if I hear a recording of him chiming)Trafalgar Square and Woolacombe Surfcam cos I spent childhood holidays there with Mum & Dad. My nostalgia/"homesick" thing only kicked in a couple of years ago after about 16 years here. Anyone else interested try www.virtual-london.co.uk
p.s. blow BB a kiss for me, PP pls. Is that your ginger cat and will s/he be coming with you? I have two Siamese (if you please)
Last edited by TopCat3; May 18th 2005 at 8:25 am.
May 18th 2005, 1:53 pm
#82
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Cairns, Qld.
Posts: 2,863
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by bondipom
Sydneysiders go up there for Christmas in July. The crisp mornings up there reminded me of Britain.
May 18th 2005, 2:59 pm
#83
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by TopCat3
OK Confession time. I have webcams on my favourites list and jump onto them every few days: Big Ben (whaahh sniff-I still get goosebumps if I hear a recording of him chiming)Trafalgar Square and Woolacombe Surfcam cos I spent childhood holidays there with Mum & Dad. My nostalgia/"homesick" thing only kicked in a couple of years ago after about 16 years here. Anyone else interested try www.virtual-london.co.uk
p.s. blow BB a kiss for me, PP pls. Is that your ginger cat and will s/he be coming with you? I have two Siamese (if you please)
p.s. blow BB a kiss for me, PP pls. Is that your ginger cat and will s/he be coming with you? I have two Siamese (if you please)
My Gordon will be coming with me. He is an indoor cat so wont be able to do damage to wildlife.
Furniture however, thats another matter.
Several species of sofa will be endangered by the time Gordon has it.
You can see videos of him in photopost.
Gordons revenge, gordon golden balls, gordons door trick.
May 18th 2005, 3:53 pm
#84
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Near Bond Street, London W1
Posts: 442
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by Professional Princess
Going through the whole migration process I have found, you go through loads of different stages.
Mine started off as 'I cannot wait to leave the UK', to being frantic about 'making it to Oz', money worries, right down to the sheer panick of the thought of being refused.
They all boiled back down to a strong dislike of the UK.
Then reading the comments on this sight of 'rose tinted specs syndrome', I wondered if there was a right or wrong way to be feeling in this stressful process.
As some of you know, in the past 2 months I have had a fair bit happen to me.
I had seen it a hundred times if not more, but this time I really saw it.
Staring round at all the old buildings, the history, the sun shining, the tacky souvenir shops at the bridge, I grabbed my mobile phone and called the one person I pour my feelings to - my Mum.
'Mum, Im looking at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, I have never noticed how beautiful London is!' I said to her in an excited voice.
'Thats taken you long enough' Mum replied.
Taking a last glance at the huge clock that sees in every new year for the UK, I wished I had brought my camera.
Totally fascinated with my new found love of this sometimes very hostile Capital, I got the bus to Waterloo station.
Passing the London Eye, I marvelled at the huge thing going round slowly, the people waiting their turn, some with Union Jacks, some with families, but all of them wanting their own perfect view of London.
Now last week I watched the VE day celebrations on TV, I really wish that I had gone to see it live in London instead of watching it on TV.
Seeing those proud war vets choking with emotion, standing there to every song sang by todays stars (except Cliff Richard as I dislike him as much as Celine Dion), their war medals hanging on their jackets.
The crowd waving their Union Jacks, I still cannot believe I watched this as its something I wouldnt normally see.
When Dame Vera came on the stage and those old soldiers fought back the tears and stood up as she greeted them, something quite suddenly hit me.
I no longer dislike the UK. I am ready to emigrate to Australia as that is my ambition, my vision and where I see my future.
I have discovered that I love London, warts and all. I love our Jubilee, although i am not a Royalist, I cannot wait for the next Coronation.
Our history is so incredible, I cant believe we are contributing to it in our own small way.
Its a comforting thought to think that instead of leaving a country I dislike, Im leaving the country I love, to move to a country I must learn about.
So the day I get my visa, will be the second proudest day of my life.
The first was when I discovered that Britain really is Great.
Mine started off as 'I cannot wait to leave the UK', to being frantic about 'making it to Oz', money worries, right down to the sheer panick of the thought of being refused.
They all boiled back down to a strong dislike of the UK.
Then reading the comments on this sight of 'rose tinted specs syndrome', I wondered if there was a right or wrong way to be feeling in this stressful process.
As some of you know, in the past 2 months I have had a fair bit happen to me.
I had seen it a hundred times if not more, but this time I really saw it.
Staring round at all the old buildings, the history, the sun shining, the tacky souvenir shops at the bridge, I grabbed my mobile phone and called the one person I pour my feelings to - my Mum.
'Mum, Im looking at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, I have never noticed how beautiful London is!' I said to her in an excited voice.
'Thats taken you long enough' Mum replied.
Taking a last glance at the huge clock that sees in every new year for the UK, I wished I had brought my camera.
Totally fascinated with my new found love of this sometimes very hostile Capital, I got the bus to Waterloo station.
Passing the London Eye, I marvelled at the huge thing going round slowly, the people waiting their turn, some with Union Jacks, some with families, but all of them wanting their own perfect view of London.
Now last week I watched the VE day celebrations on TV, I really wish that I had gone to see it live in London instead of watching it on TV.
Seeing those proud war vets choking with emotion, standing there to every song sang by todays stars (except Cliff Richard as I dislike him as much as Celine Dion), their war medals hanging on their jackets.
The crowd waving their Union Jacks, I still cannot believe I watched this as its something I wouldnt normally see.
When Dame Vera came on the stage and those old soldiers fought back the tears and stood up as she greeted them, something quite suddenly hit me.
I no longer dislike the UK. I am ready to emigrate to Australia as that is my ambition, my vision and where I see my future.
I have discovered that I love London, warts and all. I love our Jubilee, although i am not a Royalist, I cannot wait for the next Coronation.
Our history is so incredible, I cant believe we are contributing to it in our own small way.
Its a comforting thought to think that instead of leaving a country I dislike, Im leaving the country I love, to move to a country I must learn about.
So the day I get my visa, will be the second proudest day of my life.
The first was when I discovered that Britain really is Great.
So with the trauma of mum being ill, I slowly began to re-think my views on the UK, whilst still keeping my dream firmly within my sights.
The other week I was at Lambeth embankment on business and as I glanced up I spotted the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Lots of boats sailed slowly down the Thames.
You are so right. I found myself feeling much the same. In fact the week or so before we left for Oz I walked down to Westminster one warm evening (not too far from where we lived) and took my youngest for a final look around. He enaged in a seven year old's conversation with the Bobby in the security box at the Houses of Parliament. While chatting Big Ben began to Strike and I was aware that I might be listening to the same chimes on the other side of the world in the future. We then we walked up Whitehall. A voice called out my name and there was a chum suggesting that me and he boy join him and a crowd of his mates on the pavement outside of a pub for a drink. My youngest thought it was great fun - so many people to take notice of him and armed with crisps and pepsi he did his social round. We caught a red bus home and we saw the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square bathed in honey coloured light before we turned up into Hay Market and then Regent's Street - all quite spectacular in there own way.
I have nearly lost my mum, I have been the victim of identity fraud and my money stolen, I have had my phone line tapped into and calls made. I knew I liked London while I lived there but I also disliked the crowds, the dirt and the traffic. But on balance - yep you've guessed it.... I miss it it!!!
May 18th 2005, 4:38 pm
#85
In my own little world!
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,062
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
What makes Britain 'Great' for me....
1. Fish & Chips / Roast Beef and Yorkshire
2. English Pubs
3. The sound of multiple lawn-mowers and hedge-strimmers on a Sun morning as the blokes do their 'bloke' thing in the garden!
4. Bonfire Night - standing around the village bonfire, listening to everyone go 'oooooh' at the firework displays, drinking soup from a plastic cup.
5. People who say 'alright, my love' or 'poppet' - awwww, it' so 'British'!
6. Village Fetes where you buy home-made cakes and jams, and those toilet tea-cosy dollies.
Sniff-sniff. Feeling all nostalgic and patriotic now!
1. Fish & Chips / Roast Beef and Yorkshire
2. English Pubs
3. The sound of multiple lawn-mowers and hedge-strimmers on a Sun morning as the blokes do their 'bloke' thing in the garden!
4. Bonfire Night - standing around the village bonfire, listening to everyone go 'oooooh' at the firework displays, drinking soup from a plastic cup.
5. People who say 'alright, my love' or 'poppet' - awwww, it' so 'British'!
6. Village Fetes where you buy home-made cakes and jams, and those toilet tea-cosy dollies.
Sniff-sniff. Feeling all nostalgic and patriotic now!
May 18th 2005, 6:05 pm
#86
roamin in the gloamin
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,400
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
What a great thread.Just popped in here to read it.I miss the wonderful colours of scotland.Everything is so flat here.I seem to miss it more as I get older.You write so well PP should do it for a living
May 18th 2005, 8:32 pm
#87
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
I like our programmes that we have here. I know loads of them are repeats, but things like Coronation Street that have been around for years, Emmerdale and even the Bill.
Just programmes that you know if you want, you can tune into at the regular slots and settle down with a cuppa or a glass of wine.
I like it when its cold and you dont feel the need to go outside because everything you need is in your home.
I have a tiny little flat that Landlord wont maintain. It has damp in places, but, its cosy and everyone that visits, says it feels homely.
I love nothing better than sitting in my bedroom as its the lightest room and nice and airy, with my laptop, the TV on and I can type. Its such a peaceful room and to an outsider, might not seem much.
But any room that inspires me to write, is pretty special. My cat is curled up next to me, I feel relaxed and money cant buy that feeling.
Or when hubby and I go shopping together in Harrow. Again, its not much to others that may prefer Oxford Street, but it does for us anyway, or Ealing is pretty good.
On the other hand, I love Currumbin QLD, for its sunshine, for its beauty and the Aussie sense of humour. I am inspired and keen to learn and love as much about it as I do London.
And getting back to the subject of the UK, I think for a tiny little Island, we are pretty fantastic.
Just programmes that you know if you want, you can tune into at the regular slots and settle down with a cuppa or a glass of wine.
I like it when its cold and you dont feel the need to go outside because everything you need is in your home.
I have a tiny little flat that Landlord wont maintain. It has damp in places, but, its cosy and everyone that visits, says it feels homely.
I love nothing better than sitting in my bedroom as its the lightest room and nice and airy, with my laptop, the TV on and I can type. Its such a peaceful room and to an outsider, might not seem much.
But any room that inspires me to write, is pretty special. My cat is curled up next to me, I feel relaxed and money cant buy that feeling.
Or when hubby and I go shopping together in Harrow. Again, its not much to others that may prefer Oxford Street, but it does for us anyway, or Ealing is pretty good.
On the other hand, I love Currumbin QLD, for its sunshine, for its beauty and the Aussie sense of humour. I am inspired and keen to learn and love as much about it as I do London.
And getting back to the subject of the UK, I think for a tiny little Island, we are pretty fantastic.
May 19th 2005, 5:30 am
#88
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Sydney
Posts: 314
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Loads of things make Britain great and you really don't realise till you move. I spent months thinking how crap ithe UK was and how I was desperate to get to oz and now I've been here 8 months there are certain things I would love to have back:
Top of the list is a good old rude english shopkeeper who can't be arsed to even glance at you when you walk in. Over friendly ozzy shop assistants are driving me mental. I cannot be arsed to have a conversation with everybody about everything when I just want to walk round the shop in a bad mood looking at nothing. My god I am Alf Garnet.
The wonderful british humour. This is something I never realised I would be without when moving. It really is different and and you only have to watch british comedy to see that and god I don't half miss it.
Liars. I miss people lying to me when I ask them if something I'm wearing looks ok. A good dishonest english mate would say yes it looks lovely or no that spot doesn't look big even though you both secretly know its massive. There's none of that here. They are brutually honest and confrontational. Truth is we all think we want people to tell the truth - but we actually don't!!
Decent flavoured crisps. What I'd do for a bag of smokey bacon walkers.
Chips peas and gravey when pissed up after the pub.
I'm not going to even think about a coal fire on a beautiful snowy untouched winters day. Because you and I know they don't really exist anyway. Its sludge, rain and frost and burning your jeans whilst getting to close the the crap electric heater.
Top of the list is a good old rude english shopkeeper who can't be arsed to even glance at you when you walk in. Over friendly ozzy shop assistants are driving me mental. I cannot be arsed to have a conversation with everybody about everything when I just want to walk round the shop in a bad mood looking at nothing. My god I am Alf Garnet.
The wonderful british humour. This is something I never realised I would be without when moving. It really is different and and you only have to watch british comedy to see that and god I don't half miss it.
Liars. I miss people lying to me when I ask them if something I'm wearing looks ok. A good dishonest english mate would say yes it looks lovely or no that spot doesn't look big even though you both secretly know its massive. There's none of that here. They are brutually honest and confrontational. Truth is we all think we want people to tell the truth - but we actually don't!!
Decent flavoured crisps. What I'd do for a bag of smokey bacon walkers.
Chips peas and gravey when pissed up after the pub.
I'm not going to even think about a coal fire on a beautiful snowy untouched winters day. Because you and I know they don't really exist anyway. Its sludge, rain and frost and burning your jeans whilst getting to close the the crap electric heater.
May 19th 2005, 9:47 am
#89
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: upper beaconsfield
Posts: 174
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by JayneS
Loads of things make Britain great and you really don't realise till you move. I spent months thinking how crap ithe UK was and how I was desperate to get to oz and now I've been here 8 months there are certain things I would love to have back:
Top of the list is a good old rude english shopkeeper who can't be arsed to even glance at you when you walk in. Over friendly ozzy shop assistants are driving me mental. I cannot be arsed to have a conversation with everybody about everything when I just want to walk round the shop in a bad mood looking at nothing. My god I am Alf Garnet.
The wonderful british humour. This is something I never realised I would be without when moving. It really is different and and you only have to watch british comedy to see that and god I don't half miss it.
Liars. I miss people lying to me when I ask them if something I'm wearing looks ok. A good dishonest english mate would say yes it looks lovely or no that spot doesn't look big even though you both secretly know its massive. There's none of that here. They are brutually honest and confrontational. Truth is we all think we want people to tell the truth - but we actually don't!!
Decent flavoured crisps. What I'd do for a bag of smokey bacon walkers.
Chips peas and gravey when pissed up after the pub.
I'm not going to even think about a coal fire on a beautiful snowy untouched winters day. Because you and I know they don't really exist anyway. Its sludge, rain and frost and burning your jeans whilst getting to close the the crap electric heater.
Top of the list is a good old rude english shopkeeper who can't be arsed to even glance at you when you walk in. Over friendly ozzy shop assistants are driving me mental. I cannot be arsed to have a conversation with everybody about everything when I just want to walk round the shop in a bad mood looking at nothing. My god I am Alf Garnet.
The wonderful british humour. This is something I never realised I would be without when moving. It really is different and and you only have to watch british comedy to see that and god I don't half miss it.
Liars. I miss people lying to me when I ask them if something I'm wearing looks ok. A good dishonest english mate would say yes it looks lovely or no that spot doesn't look big even though you both secretly know its massive. There's none of that here. They are brutually honest and confrontational. Truth is we all think we want people to tell the truth - but we actually don't!!
Decent flavoured crisps. What I'd do for a bag of smokey bacon walkers.
Chips peas and gravey when pissed up after the pub.
I'm not going to even think about a coal fire on a beautiful snowy untouched winters day. Because you and I know they don't really exist anyway. Its sludge, rain and frost and burning your jeans whilst getting to close the the crap electric heater.
Everything is in place for us to leave now just waiting to sell the house, we can't wait. I just want to get away as fast as we can, as every Friday night I sit with tears rolling down my face whilst watching Gardeners World, A year at Kew, Chelsea flower show etc, etc I am a gardener and I am gutted to be leaving behind my cottage garden,Alan Titchmarsh,Monty Don, and especially Chris Beardsmore I can't imagine not seeing some of our native wild flowers again (my eyes are filling up as I write) or chatting to the old gardeners in my street this is what I will really miss. BUT I am already looking at trying to find books on Australian gardening and learning about some new and no doubt glorious plants a whole new world of gardening.
I'm off now to mow my lawn (smell that grass!)
Elfin (Big soft melt!)x
May 19th 2005, 10:46 am
#90
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What Makes Britain 'Great'?
Originally Posted by JayneS
Loads of things make Britain great and you really don't realise till you move. I spent months thinking how crap ithe UK was and how I was desperate to get to oz and now I've been here 8 months there are certain things I would love to have back:
Top of the list is a good old rude english shopkeeper who can't be arsed to even glance at you when you walk in. Over friendly ozzy shop assistants are driving me mental. I cannot be arsed to have a conversation with everybody about everything when I just want to walk round the shop in a bad mood looking at nothing. My god I am Alf Garnet.
The wonderful british humour. This is something I never realised I would be without when moving. It really is different and and you only have to watch british comedy to see that and god I don't half miss it.
Liars. I miss people lying to me when I ask them if something I'm wearing looks ok. A good dishonest english mate would say yes it looks lovely or no that spot doesn't look big even though you both secretly know its massive. There's none of that here. They are brutually honest and confrontational. Truth is we all think we want people to tell the truth - but we actually don't!!
Decent flavoured crisps. What I'd do for a bag of smokey bacon walkers.
Chips peas and gravey when pissed up after the pub.
I'm not going to even think about a coal fire on a beautiful snowy untouched winters day. Because you and I know they don't really exist anyway. Its sludge, rain and frost and burning your jeans whilst getting to close the the crap electric heater.
Top of the list is a good old rude english shopkeeper who can't be arsed to even glance at you when you walk in. Over friendly ozzy shop assistants are driving me mental. I cannot be arsed to have a conversation with everybody about everything when I just want to walk round the shop in a bad mood looking at nothing. My god I am Alf Garnet.
The wonderful british humour. This is something I never realised I would be without when moving. It really is different and and you only have to watch british comedy to see that and god I don't half miss it.
Liars. I miss people lying to me when I ask them if something I'm wearing looks ok. A good dishonest english mate would say yes it looks lovely or no that spot doesn't look big even though you both secretly know its massive. There's none of that here. They are brutually honest and confrontational. Truth is we all think we want people to tell the truth - but we actually don't!!
Decent flavoured crisps. What I'd do for a bag of smokey bacon walkers.
Chips peas and gravey when pissed up after the pub.
I'm not going to even think about a coal fire on a beautiful snowy untouched winters day. Because you and I know they don't really exist anyway. Its sludge, rain and frost and burning your jeans whilst getting to close the the crap electric heater.
Thanks for opening my eyes.
M