I hate to imagine where some people must live We just dont see this incredibly common practise around here at all, pubs like our local have a little covered area away from the healthy people so there is never any need to walk through a wall of smoke.

I dont need to say it but ENJOY.

You know you’re in the UK when…………… you feel that unique atmosphere that builds up to Christmas. The semi dark days getting dark by 4.00.p.m. The Salvation Army band playing hymns and carols, roast chestnut vendors, the ‘buzz’ in the air. Shopping trollies full of enough food that will last well beyond the festive period, the holiday special Radio & TV times, the Christmas TV specials, the works Christmas parties, especially the workers who are off until the New Year, the bustling pubs on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. The men folk going down the pub at lunch time on Boxing day ( smoking Hamlet and mannequin cigars ), wiping a tear when watching Noels Christmas presents. Dodging kids on their new bikes they got for Christmas. Sinking into the armchair after Christmas dinner to sleep it off. Mince pies, Christmas crackers, selection boxes……….

Am I living in the past? :-)

Now you have made me nostalgic for that magic as well. You know you are in the UK when you can go to the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC carols and singing along! Here where we are it is just razzmatazz over the top Christmas lights on houses and pot lucks! I miss the traditional stuff!

No, New Zealand

Shoot them I say, i say shoot em.

No, not living in the past at all, no-one does Christmas like the Brits, we are having one of the village Christmas trees in our front garden this year and we are all really looking forward to it. I love English village life

How big is your village Chris? population and shops?

LOL. We visited NZ last year. Certainly was like taking a step back in time. No bad thing sometimes. Beautiful country though, one place I wouldn't mind spending more time exploring and appreciating.

Spent 2 months there south and North. Loved the top of the north most.
Found Waitang very expensive for what it was, especially the woolwoths supermarket
But I agree, we would probably go back just to do the coromandel if nothing else.

Just under 1000 people. There are 3 pubs but one is more of a restaurant. There is a fantastic village store, a farm shop and no fast food
Our kids took great delight in the fact that there were as many kids in their old school in Brisbane as there are people in the village.

Wish my village had all those amenities.

Some of us are lucky,very lucky indeed.

that is a nice size village, enough people to get to know each other but also enough people that it does not get too claustrophobic - you have indeed found a nice place - good on you!

Trouble is that there have only been three properties that have changed hands there this year and the last was in April for 350,000 quid.

So as much as we might like it we can't get in for love or money.

You can always rent in that area though.