I agree but it's a patchy experience unless you regularly fork out on the international section or use sources like Britbox.
On the British food vein I have just returned from a UK vacation. Shopped in several Tescos and Morrisons. One Sainsburys. Found the supermarkets generally stocking a much larger number of foreign foods than several years ago. Obviously favourites demanded as a result of foreign holidays. But I had no idea about them.
Possibly to the detriment of some British products? Cheese was a bit disappointing. Cheddar was often not from England. The mature cheddar imported and expensive There was Red Leicester but packs large. Derby was completely missing from several supermarket chains in different places. But always expensive French and Italiian cheeses on sale. Generally the cheese sections much smaller than I remember.









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We have not been back to the UK during the 15 years we.ve lived here because quite frankly we prefer the weather and economy in the Philippines. I grew up in Nottingham spent time in Norfolk and Suffolk preferring the folk in the former.
My hobbies and interests our outside and being able to persue them 24/7 is wonderful. In the UK we would be stuck inside and paying heating bills plus of course the taxes.....yuk.
The cheeses from Australia are reasonable and a trip to a delicatessent will satisfy my craving for Stilliton which I keep in the fridge under layers of plastic.
Filipine food is generally fine and my wife enjoys cooking so we are happy which is all that counts.

Oh SD you misunderstood. I'm not advocating returning to live in Britain. But visiting, despite the distance and cost, I think its good for some of us at least now and again, while we can.. Even if you're happy in the Philippines. Yes, many reasons not to return to live there. Yes people are feeling the pinch there. A postmistress advised me to save some money by reducing my envelope size when sending an item second class.
My comment was about the changes I saw there on the supermarket shelves.
Yes you can buy some substitutes here from neighbouring countries. Though likely not Derby cheese or Cornish pasties to name but two.
I don't find it appropriate or economical to search for and consume British food here. Philippine food is OK... some of it anyway.
Britain is still a nice country to visit for me. Not so much London but the regions and their seaside resorts, countryside. I last went 11 years ago and while some things were worse, like the food prices, the roundabouts,traffic, there were improvements. For example from this year most local buses have their longer distance fares capped at 3 pounds. We went over 40 miles for 3 pounds each once and bus companies have other good offers to save money. Often sensible even if you have a hire car, as we had. Trains also have good deals if you book in advance. You could also pay on board buses with a card in 3 places we visited.

Philippine aircon busses have improved with usb sockets in the seats and new covers but they remain uncomfortable on 3 hour journeys even sitting mid way on rhe drivers side. Cars are much quicker if course using the NLEX and SLEX highways but more expensive.
we often go to Subic and Angeles, the last time by coach sitting in the seats for senior citizens behind the driver but his seat is sprung independently and ordinary passengers feel every bump!!!

Yes, I think buses are good here for journeys of a few hours. Somewhat cheaper than driving for one or two people and less stressful. Around the NCR many new highways have been built lately but using them can be confusing. Some are open but not finished in our part of Cavite! There are short cuts which avoid the toll roads but taxi drivers are the experts on those.
Britain has the advantage of trains and some franchises are top rated. LNER and Greater Anglia are two examples. Last week the latter even emailed to tell me our train would now be arriving at Liverpool Street just one minute later than stated on our E ticket! They're just lately put in public ownership so the policy seems to be to improve and nationalise. Perhaps by the next election there will be a few more? But a new British Rail must be a long way off, if ever.
If you're getting on and have got used to the slower pace of driving here you may not feel comfortable on British roads. Some locals don't like driving behind someone doing 50 mph in a 60 mph zone, 25 mph in a 30 mph zone etc and show their displeasure. The norm seems to be 60 and 30. Speed cameras are all over. The app notifies you but makes you look down at the screen in front too much. The possibility you may be a visitor seems not to have entered their heads. Apps also send you down single track twisting country lanes at sometimes, presumably to avoid traffic. Tails of vehicles follow you at speed. I'd rather have been held up for a while on a main road! On one drive in Yorkshire the app sent us up a narrow hill road used for tank training. Luckily no tanks turning that day.
Some roundabouts are a nightmare with many exits and traffic lights. Many roads in towns and villages with vehicles double parked in their main streets.
Better let the trains and buses take the strain.

We used to go by buss direct to Cubau then change busses to the Northern companies but for some reason they turn up the C5 and circle round to Cubau, narrow turnings for coaches that surely cannot be worthwhile because the ring road is so fast with 5 lanes.
Years ago it was standing room only of you travelled at the wrong time and i marvelled at how the bus conductor took the fares. Doesn.t seem as bad now but to avoid the busy roads we leave at 4.30 am or wait untill 9am.

Just to add that if you are a senior you'll get a fare discount on many bus fares here.

yes we had us a nice conductor who threw a couple of passengers off the front seats to allow us to sit there.
​​On a trip from Subic we used to stop at a place with food stalls and enjoy Filipine Porridge which lasted until the stop in San Fernando but not there since covid.