What are you looking forward to?
Mar 14th 2013, 1:27 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 402
What are you looking forward to?
For those of us who will return soon, or those who will return in many years - what are you most looking forward to with the move back to UK?
A few of mine are:-
Going into a real butcher's shop complete with fake, plastic leaves at the front of the display cabinet and a butcher wearing a striped pinny & white hat knowing that the meat I'm buying isn't pumped full of water nor shrink wrapped in plastic. Also a bonus (especially lately) will be knowing that I'm not buying horsemeat which has been labelled as beef.
Going to the beach on a sunny day (hopefully there'll be some) and buying a Mr Whippy 99 with loads of the raspberry syrup trickling down the sides.
Having the long days in the summer when the sun sets after 10pm and rises by 4 the next morning.
Listening to Radio 2 en-route to work without having an endless stream of commercials every few records.
Being able to walk the dog off her lead either in the park or on a beach
Getting excited for Christmas knowing that there'll be loads of Christmas Specials on telly. Also being able to buy real fresh double cream to go on my xmas pud instead of the imported double devon cream we get here in small glass jars sold at an extortionate price.
Having more than one day off for Christmas
Being content with having a small garden that is manageable and not need a whole day just to cut the grass on a tractor mower.
Being able to by a loaf of bread for less than the equiv. $3 and having said bread not taste somewhat sweetened.
Golden shred marmalade
Having a window cleaner (why can I not find them for love nor money here in PA?)
A brick house and not one built of wood that could so easily be burnt to the ground in seconds or eaten by some big mother effing ants!
Being able to buy Ribena for £1 and not have to order online a case of 12 for over $100
Not having people talk so much of religion or god. It could be that here in PA religion is more popular than in other states, but it's far too religious for my liking here being the confirmed atheist that I am.
There's probably loads more I've missed but that's just a few I can think of off the top of my head here
A few of mine are:-
Going into a real butcher's shop complete with fake, plastic leaves at the front of the display cabinet and a butcher wearing a striped pinny & white hat knowing that the meat I'm buying isn't pumped full of water nor shrink wrapped in plastic. Also a bonus (especially lately) will be knowing that I'm not buying horsemeat which has been labelled as beef.
Going to the beach on a sunny day (hopefully there'll be some) and buying a Mr Whippy 99 with loads of the raspberry syrup trickling down the sides.
Having the long days in the summer when the sun sets after 10pm and rises by 4 the next morning.
Listening to Radio 2 en-route to work without having an endless stream of commercials every few records.
Being able to walk the dog off her lead either in the park or on a beach
Getting excited for Christmas knowing that there'll be loads of Christmas Specials on telly. Also being able to buy real fresh double cream to go on my xmas pud instead of the imported double devon cream we get here in small glass jars sold at an extortionate price.
Having more than one day off for Christmas
Being content with having a small garden that is manageable and not need a whole day just to cut the grass on a tractor mower.
Being able to by a loaf of bread for less than the equiv. $3 and having said bread not taste somewhat sweetened.
Golden shred marmalade
Having a window cleaner (why can I not find them for love nor money here in PA?)
A brick house and not one built of wood that could so easily be burnt to the ground in seconds or eaten by some big mother effing ants!
Being able to buy Ribena for £1 and not have to order online a case of 12 for over $100
Not having people talk so much of religion or god. It could be that here in PA religion is more popular than in other states, but it's far too religious for my liking here being the confirmed atheist that I am.
There's probably loads more I've missed but that's just a few I can think of off the top of my head here
Mar 14th 2013, 2:38 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 433
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Great post! Let's see....
The challenge of being a stranger in my native land
Seeing everything with fresh eyes
Unpacking, when my boxes arrive!
Having my little pooch welcomed in lots of places and not treated like the spawn of satan
Twisty roads!
Birds, bunnies, foxes, horses and sheep in the fields, cows!
Marmite XO whenever I want it <drool>
English ales, french wine, at reasonable prices
The Sunday Times, especially the crossword
CHEEEEEESE Gromit!
Cheeky english sense of humour
Not having to watch what I say all the time for fear of causing offence where none meant (huge one this)
Antiques
Finding broken bits of old china when gardening
Holidays in scotland and france
SO MUCH! Too much to list
The challenge of being a stranger in my native land
Seeing everything with fresh eyes
Unpacking, when my boxes arrive!
Having my little pooch welcomed in lots of places and not treated like the spawn of satan
Twisty roads!
Birds, bunnies, foxes, horses and sheep in the fields, cows!
Marmite XO whenever I want it <drool>
English ales, french wine, at reasonable prices
The Sunday Times, especially the crossword
CHEEEEEESE Gromit!
Cheeky english sense of humour
Not having to watch what I say all the time for fear of causing offence where none meant (huge one this)
Antiques
Finding broken bits of old china when gardening
Holidays in scotland and france
SO MUCH! Too much to list
Mar 14th 2013, 4:15 pm
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 402
Mar 14th 2013, 8:58 pm
#4
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Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland, just!
Posts: 2,053
Re: What are you looking forward to?
The humour is one of the best things about being back. I love being able to banter back and forth with people I barely know. I am still a bit hesitant at times to let my real self show through as I had to suppress my humorous side for such a long time in Canada.
There is a couple in the village and we have been having a great laugh together almost since day one. I feel as though I have known them for years. The Liverpool and Glasgow jokes are flying constantly.
I also love the stone, cobbles and all the beautiful architecture. It is like a warm cosy blanket to me.
An added, minor bonus, is that tins and packets are written entirely in English, so I don't have to wade through the French part of the labeling to get to the English translation.
There is a couple in the village and we have been having a great laugh together almost since day one. I feel as though I have known them for years. The Liverpool and Glasgow jokes are flying constantly.
I also love the stone, cobbles and all the beautiful architecture. It is like a warm cosy blanket to me.
An added, minor bonus, is that tins and packets are written entirely in English, so I don't have to wade through the French part of the labeling to get to the English translation.
Mar 14th 2013, 9:39 pm
#5
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: A Proud Height, Northumberland UK
Posts: 1,163
Re: What are you looking forward to?
The humour is one of the best things about being back. I love being able to banter back and forth with people I barely know. I am still a bit hesitant at times to let my real self show through as I had to suppress my humorous side for such a long time in Canada.
There is a couple in the village and we have been having a great laugh together almost since day one. I feel as though I have known them for years. The Liverpool and Glasgow jokes are flying constantly.
I also love the stone, cobbles and all the beautiful architecture. It is like a warm cosy blanket to me.
An added, minor bonus, is that tins and packets are written entirely in English, so I don't have to wade through the French part of the labeling to get to the English translation.
There is a couple in the village and we have been having a great laugh together almost since day one. I feel as though I have known them for years. The Liverpool and Glasgow jokes are flying constantly.
I also love the stone, cobbles and all the beautiful architecture. It is like a warm cosy blanket to me.
An added, minor bonus, is that tins and packets are written entirely in English, so I don't have to wade through the French part of the labeling to get to the English translation.
I like that we get the post delivered through the door before 10 am (had to collect our mail at the post office where I used to live)
Real fish and chips with lots of malt vinegar
Hedgerows and stone walls
Real holly bushes and ivy that grows around tree trunks
Lots of lovely old architecture
Hearing everyone around me sounds like the real me (or more like me than overseas)
Like many of you, chit chatting with strangers
Bright blue skies and sunshine (now and again
) that don't invariably come with temperatures of plus or minus 30 something.
Mar 15th 2013, 12:40 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Great post! Let's see....
The challenge of being a stranger in my native land
Seeing everything with fresh eyes
Unpacking, when my boxes arrive!
Having my little pooch welcomed in lots of places and not treated like the spawn of satan
Twisty roads!
Birds, bunnies, foxes, horses and sheep in the fields, cows!
Marmite XO whenever I want it <drool>
English ales, french wine, at reasonable prices
The Sunday Times, especially the crossword
CHEEEEEESE Gromit!
Cheeky english sense of humour
Not having to watch what I say all the time for fear of causing offence where none meant (huge one this)
Antiques
Finding broken bits of old china when gardening
Holidays in scotland and france
SO MUCH! Too much to list
The challenge of being a stranger in my native land
Seeing everything with fresh eyes
Unpacking, when my boxes arrive!
Having my little pooch welcomed in lots of places and not treated like the spawn of satan
Twisty roads!
Birds, bunnies, foxes, horses and sheep in the fields, cows!
Marmite XO whenever I want it <drool>
English ales, french wine, at reasonable prices
The Sunday Times, especially the crossword
CHEEEEEESE Gromit!
Cheeky english sense of humour
Not having to watch what I say all the time for fear of causing offence where none meant (huge one this)
Antiques
Finding broken bits of old china when gardening
Holidays in scotland and france
SO MUCH! Too much to list
The countryside and greenery
Seeing cows and sheep in the fields
Small villages
Winding roads in the country
Rose beds and beautiful gardens
Marks and Spencer
Sincerity of people (in general)
Fish and chips
Community feel
Rabbits, tortoises, toads and frogs
A less extreme society that is a lot less driven by the pound sign
Being close to France and Spain
A better balance between work and personal life
Far better quality of meat and produce
British bakeries
Last edited by windsong; Mar 15th 2013 at 12:50 am.
Mar 15th 2013, 12:58 am
#7
Get me out of here ...
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Home Sweet Home
Posts: 178
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Great post!
...
Being able to open the windows again
Airing cupboards
Radiators
Not having to repeat every sentence
Costa coffee
Roundabouts and twisty roads
Fields full of cattle
An early spring
Being able to see my friends and family without a long plane journey
Having "normal" telly
Greggs sausage rolls, magnum mint and strawberry cornetto ice creams
John Lewis
Hedgehogs
Feeding the birds without bleedin' racoons nicking all the food
Feeling I am where I belong
...
Being able to open the windows again
Airing cupboards
Radiators
Not having to repeat every sentence
Costa coffee
Roundabouts and twisty roads
Fields full of cattle
An early spring
Being able to see my friends and family without a long plane journey
Having "normal" telly
Greggs sausage rolls, magnum mint and strawberry cornetto ice creams
John Lewis
Hedgehogs
Feeding the birds without bleedin' racoons nicking all the food
Feeling I am where I belong
Mar 15th 2013, 1:43 am
#8
Not actually a squirrel
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: England
Posts: 3,446
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Not feeling hot for 6 months of the year.
Being able to sit on the lawn without being bitten by massive ants.
Not being lunged at by poisonous snakes and jumped at by spiders.
Kicking through leaves.
Primroses, daffodils, bluebells and rhodedendrons.
Maran chickens, pet rabbits, hamsters.
Song birds.
Leading up to Christmas in London.
Green countryside.
Mr Kipling apple and blackcurrant pies.
Macaroons from the baker.
One hour travel by train to London.
Scampi, cod and chips.
Exploring.
Narrow streets.
Walking in long grass.
Banter.
Being able to sit on the lawn without being bitten by massive ants.
Not being lunged at by poisonous snakes and jumped at by spiders.
Kicking through leaves.
Primroses, daffodils, bluebells and rhodedendrons.
Maran chickens, pet rabbits, hamsters.
Song birds.
Leading up to Christmas in London.
Green countryside.
Mr Kipling apple and blackcurrant pies.
Macaroons from the baker.
One hour travel by train to London.
Scampi, cod and chips.
Exploring.
Narrow streets.
Walking in long grass.
Banter.
Mar 15th 2013, 1:54 am
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Great post! Let's see....
The challenge of being a stranger in my native land
Seeing everything with fresh eyes
Unpacking, when my boxes arrive!
Having my little pooch welcomed in lots of places and not treated like the spawn of satan
Twisty roads!
Birds, bunnies, foxes, horses and sheep in the fields, cows!
Marmite XO whenever I want it <drool>
English ales, french wine, at reasonable prices
The Sunday Times, especially the crossword
CHEEEEEESE Gromit!
Cheeky english sense of humour
Not having to watch what I say all the time for fear of causing offence where none meant (huge one this)
Antiques
Finding broken bits of old china when gardening
Holidays in scotland and france
SO MUCH! Too much to list
The challenge of being a stranger in my native land
Seeing everything with fresh eyes
Unpacking, when my boxes arrive!
Having my little pooch welcomed in lots of places and not treated like the spawn of satan
Twisty roads!
Birds, bunnies, foxes, horses and sheep in the fields, cows!
Marmite XO whenever I want it <drool>
English ales, french wine, at reasonable prices
The Sunday Times, especially the crossword
CHEEEEEESE Gromit!
Cheeky english sense of humour
Not having to watch what I say all the time for fear of causing offence where none meant (huge one this)
Antiques
Finding broken bits of old china when gardening
Holidays in scotland and france
SO MUCH! Too much to list
I have been thinking about how much my own two little dogs will LOVE it. Their tails will be flying high
Mar 15th 2013, 3:11 am
#10
Yorkshire Lass
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,416
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Oh gosh, where do I start?? LOL
Celebrating Christmas and have it FEEL like Christmas, with all the specials on the telly, all the decorations... SNOW (if I'm lucky..lol)
Vimto and Ribena
Long winding roads and stone walls
Beautiful English countryside....hills...hills and more hills
The English sense of humour so I can be myself and not have people look at me like I've grown two heads.
Ice cream cone with a flake stuck in it
BBC, ITV, Corrie
Fish and Chips with real malt vinegar and mushy peas
Mint Imperials
Being able to get on a bus or a train and go ANYWHERE
I could go on, but I'll let someone else have a turn....LOL
Celebrating Christmas and have it FEEL like Christmas, with all the specials on the telly, all the decorations... SNOW (if I'm lucky..lol)
Vimto and Ribena
Long winding roads and stone walls
Beautiful English countryside....hills...hills and more hills
The English sense of humour so I can be myself and not have people look at me like I've grown two heads.
Ice cream cone with a flake stuck in it
BBC, ITV, Corrie
Fish and Chips with real malt vinegar and mushy peas
Mint Imperials
Being able to get on a bus or a train and go ANYWHERE
I could go on, but I'll let someone else have a turn....LOL
Mar 15th 2013, 5:25 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 433
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Mar 15th 2013, 5:32 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 745
Re: What are you looking forward to?
For those of us who will return soon, or those who will return in many years - what are you most looking forward to with the move back to UK?
A few of mine are:-
Going into a real butcher's shop complete with fake, plastic leaves at the front of the display cabinet and a butcher wearing a striped pinny & white hat knowing that the meat I'm buying isn't pumped full of water nor shrink wrapped in plastic. Also a bonus (especially lately) will be knowing that I'm not buying horsemeat which has been labelled as beef.
Going to the beach on a sunny day (hopefully there'll be some) and buying a Mr Whippy 99 with loads of the raspberry syrup trickling down the sides.
Having the long days in the summer when the sun sets after 10pm and rises by 4 the next morning.
Listening to Radio 2 en-route to work without having an endless stream of commercials every few records.
Being able to walk the dog off her lead either in the park or on a beach
Getting excited for Christmas knowing that there'll be loads of Christmas Specials on telly. Also being able to buy real fresh double cream to go on my xmas pud instead of the imported double devon cream we get here in small glass jars sold at an extortionate price.
Having more than one day off for Christmas
Being content with having a small garden that is manageable and not need a whole day just to cut the grass on a tractor mower.
Being able to by a loaf of bread for less than the equiv. $3 and having said bread not taste somewhat sweetened.
Golden shred marmalade
Having a window cleaner (why can I not find them for love nor money here in PA?)
A brick house and not one built of wood that could so easily be burnt to the ground in seconds or eaten by some big mother effing ants!
Being able to buy Ribena for £1 and not have to order online a case of 12 for over $100
Not having people talk so much of religion or god. It could be that here in PA religion is more popular than in other states, but it's far too religious for my liking here being the confirmed atheist that I am.
There's probably loads more I've missed but that's just a few I can think of off the top of my head here
A few of mine are:-
Going into a real butcher's shop complete with fake, plastic leaves at the front of the display cabinet and a butcher wearing a striped pinny & white hat knowing that the meat I'm buying isn't pumped full of water nor shrink wrapped in plastic. Also a bonus (especially lately) will be knowing that I'm not buying horsemeat which has been labelled as beef.
Going to the beach on a sunny day (hopefully there'll be some) and buying a Mr Whippy 99 with loads of the raspberry syrup trickling down the sides.
Having the long days in the summer when the sun sets after 10pm and rises by 4 the next morning.
Listening to Radio 2 en-route to work without having an endless stream of commercials every few records.
Being able to walk the dog off her lead either in the park or on a beach
Getting excited for Christmas knowing that there'll be loads of Christmas Specials on telly. Also being able to buy real fresh double cream to go on my xmas pud instead of the imported double devon cream we get here in small glass jars sold at an extortionate price.
Having more than one day off for Christmas
Being content with having a small garden that is manageable and not need a whole day just to cut the grass on a tractor mower.
Being able to by a loaf of bread for less than the equiv. $3 and having said bread not taste somewhat sweetened.
Golden shred marmalade
Having a window cleaner (why can I not find them for love nor money here in PA?)
A brick house and not one built of wood that could so easily be burnt to the ground in seconds or eaten by some big mother effing ants!
Being able to buy Ribena for £1 and not have to order online a case of 12 for over $100
Not having people talk so much of religion or god. It could be that here in PA religion is more popular than in other states, but it's far too religious for my liking here being the confirmed atheist that I am.
There's probably loads more I've missed but that's just a few I can think of off the top of my head here
Thanks cos these help me remember why I am here and to see past the drudge of life.
Today there were sheep in fields beside bus route, snowdrops in the hedgerows. Once back it can be too easy to take for granted but must remember to look and the enjoy the feast.
Last edited by J.JsOH; Mar 15th 2013 at 5:39 am.
Mar 15th 2013, 5:34 am
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 745
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Oh gosh, where do I start?? LOL
Celebrating Christmas and have it FEEL like Christmas, with all the specials on the telly, all the decorations... SNOW (if I'm lucky..lol)
Vimto and Ribena
Long winding roads and stone walls
Beautiful English countryside....hills...hills and more hills
The English sense of humour so I can be myself and not have people look at me like I've grown two heads.
Ice cream cone with a flake stuck in it
BBC, ITV, Corrie
Fish and Chips with real malt vinegar and mushy peas
Mint Imperials
Being able to get on a bus or a train and go ANYWHERE
I could go on, but I'll let someone else have a turn....LOL
Celebrating Christmas and have it FEEL like Christmas, with all the specials on the telly, all the decorations... SNOW (if I'm lucky..lol)
Vimto and Ribena
Long winding roads and stone walls
Beautiful English countryside....hills...hills and more hills
The English sense of humour so I can be myself and not have people look at me like I've grown two heads.
Ice cream cone with a flake stuck in it
BBC, ITV, Corrie
Fish and Chips with real malt vinegar and mushy peas
Mint Imperials
Being able to get on a bus or a train and go ANYWHERE
I could go on, but I'll let someone else have a turn....LOL
Mar 15th 2013, 5:39 am
#14
Yorkshire Lass
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,416
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Mar 15th 2013, 11:57 am
#15
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 402
Re: What are you looking forward to?
Just thought of some more
Lion Midget gems or Lion Sports Mixtures with the black licquorice ones (not the new variety made by Maynards that have blackcurrant black ones)
Not getting a bill from the doctors for some small procedure I had done two months ago (just got one in the mail today
)
Driving past churches when a wedding is taking place. I don't think I've seen any here, I think they're all held at the local Holiday Inn.
Picking wild blackberries in September and making a delicious apple & blackberry pie with real baking apples
Multi point water heaters.
A bath that's long enough to lie down in without having to slide my feet half way up the wall in front of me!
Argos
Being able to get the bus to go to work if my car doesn't start
Fizzy refresher sweets that make you burp so loud if you eat the whole packet in one go
Cheese & onion crisps ( sour cream and chives just don't do it for me)
Hearing in the distance children playing in the local school playground at playtime. (Do they even have playtime in USA schools ? I only remember my kids having recess during their school years and I'm not sure they were even allowed outside for it!)
Horses clip-clopping along country lanes
Lion Midget gems or Lion Sports Mixtures with the black licquorice ones (not the new variety made by Maynards that have blackcurrant black ones)
Not getting a bill from the doctors for some small procedure I had done two months ago (just got one in the mail today
)Driving past churches when a wedding is taking place. I don't think I've seen any here, I think they're all held at the local Holiday Inn.
Picking wild blackberries in September and making a delicious apple & blackberry pie with real baking apples
Multi point water heaters.
A bath that's long enough to lie down in without having to slide my feet half way up the wall in front of me!
Argos
Being able to get the bus to go to work if my car doesn't start
Fizzy refresher sweets that make you burp so loud if you eat the whole packet in one go
Cheese & onion crisps ( sour cream and chives just don't do it for me)
Hearing in the distance children playing in the local school playground at playtime. (Do they even have playtime in USA schools ? I only remember my kids having recess during their school years and I'm not sure they were even allowed outside for it!)
Horses clip-clopping along country lanes
