Originally Posted by trottytrue

Jasper123.........That was a lovely verse. Tonight when I take Gabby out in the cold and look up at the sky and the stars I will think about those words. Its cold and we are expecting another big snow storm so your words of inspiration come at a perfect time. No need to look back look to the future through the stars

People in the UK dont know how good they have it. Most have never been out of the country and just love to moan. I cannot tell you how many people ask me why am I coming home. I cant seem to make them understand. They seem to think everywhere else is paradise. They need to wake up. I had a friend who lived in Spain and moaned about having to go back to the UK when her husband got sick but she was very happy to get him healthcare.

I do think the law needs to change so they can get those people who love to sit on their backside and reap the benefit of other peoples hardwork are made to get a job. It takes away from those who really do need help.

I do fancy this coming Sundays dinner Rodney.

Originally Posted by cheers

I think two things affect peoples attitudes towards Britain and one is the newspapers writing such silly things as a big iceberg could come and destroy Birmingham. The the word 'could' is used. Another thing that effects peoples attitude is the weather. If it cloudy and cold it can damper peoples spirit.

I can imagine some people wont want to keep talking to you if you start to tell them how great living in Britain is.

This all amounts to thinking and talking positive which as you point out Rod isn't very hard to do now that your in England.

Who wrote "No mans knows (and appreciates) England from within unless he knows England from without"?

Originally Posted by Wawa

I shall say (well, when I eventually get there)....Dont knock it until you have lived in Canada It was -18 on my way to work this morning. THAT would give 'em something to grumble about.

We are expecting between 20-30 cms of snow tomorrow.

Rod that was a lovely poem, thanks for sharing. I have saved it. How fitting to us all trying to get back home. Its all about accepting our past so we can move into our future.

Originally Posted by Wawa

I have found that people are so busy here. They work hard, have their lives all sorted, their families around them and are happy with their lot. I have my office co-workers who are good fun, but it has taken a while to gain their trust as a newcomer. I cant quite put my finger on it as I have lived all over and never experienced this before. You can meet people you quite like and enjoy their company, but it never seems to go to that next level. As you say, its all on the surface and will never develop into that close, laugh-a-minute friendship.

30 years is a long time! How did you do it? I have been here for 5 and my bags are packed and sitting by the front door. They are invisible, only I can see them. They've been there for a while now You are so lucky that the tug to return home hit you both at the same time. There are more than a few people on these forums that are frustrated by husbands or wives happily plodding along with no real urge to return.

Originally Posted by cheers

“The world still consists of two clearly divided groups: the English and the foreigners. One group consists of less than 50 million people; the other of 3,950 million. The latter group does not really count.”
George Mikes

Originally Posted by cheers

“England is not the best possible world but it is the best actual country, and a great rest after America”
George Santayana

Originally Posted by jasper123

Cheers is that a verse from George or did you make that up yourself mate,

Originally Posted by PAT M

Well we've had our hopes raised again for nothing after what we thought was a promising viewing, never mind onwards and upwards. Here's a lovely verse:

This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,

This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress built by Nature for herself

Against infection and the hand of war,

This happy breed of men, this little world,

This precious stone set in the silver sea,

Which serves it in the office of a wall,

Or as a moat defensive to a house,

Against the envy of less happier lands,

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England



From Richard II, Act 2 (Shakespeare)

Originally Posted by PAT M

Well we've had our hopes raised again for nothing after what we thought was a promising viewing, never mind onwards and upwards. Here's a lovely verse:

This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,

This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress built by Nature for herself

Against infection and the hand of war,

This happy breed of men, this little world,

This precious stone set in the silver sea,

Which serves it in the office of a wall,

Or as a moat defensive to a house,

Against the envy of less happier lands,

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England



From Richard II, Act 2 (Shakespeare)

Originally Posted by cheers

George (I thought that summed up your feelings)

Originally Posted by cheers

“The world still consists of two clearly divided groups: the English and the foreigners. One group consists of less than 50 million people; the other of 3,950 million. The latter group does not really count.”
George Mikes

Originally Posted by dontheturner

Hi Barb, just to inspire you regarding food, If you like cheese, Morrisons bake small crusty cobs, with Cheese baked onto them - superb when buttered, and slices of cucumber and tomato popped into them. dontheturner