The UK
Sep 29th 2010, 7:49 am
#31
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,048
Re: The UK
I suspect the perceived quickness of UK drivers is down to the fact a greater proportion are commuting the same stretches of road each day, and know exactly when they can go fast or not. Could be wrong though... What scares me most are motor-cyclists on London roads, especially the North Circular - the risks they take when overtaking or undertaking, always assuming the car drivers they pass are fully aware of their position..
Once one bloke who had been huffing and puffing to get round me - tried to overtake on blind bends a couple of times, etc. - finally hit the dual carriageway section. He overtook me, swore at me, blew the horn - and then - pulled in front of me and slammed his brakes on as hard as possible and I had to skid out into the right lane and overtake him again to avoid a crash. This was to "punish" me for obeying the speed limit.
ETC. Angry, angry people.
Sep 29th 2010, 7:55 am
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: East Finchley and Javea
Posts: 133
Re: The UK
Well as someone said it 'swings and roundabouts'. I always manage to live very frugally in Spain but that is down to the fact I buy what is available and of course the cost of booze is much much cheaper.
In England I could live just as cheaply but I don't because there is much more choice. ie I will buy Maris Piper or Desiree potatoes rather than the cheaper 'whites'. I don't have that choice in Spain.
As for driving I find that the moment I go outside London I notice how much more aggressive and inconsiderate the other drivers are. In London no one would get anywhere without other drivers giving way to them ( however you do see a difference at weekends when the part time drivers come out). As long as you make it clear what you want to do the other drivers will accommodate you. However he who hesitates is lost.
In England I could live just as cheaply but I don't because there is much more choice. ie I will buy Maris Piper or Desiree potatoes rather than the cheaper 'whites'. I don't have that choice in Spain.
As for driving I find that the moment I go outside London I notice how much more aggressive and inconsiderate the other drivers are. In London no one would get anywhere without other drivers giving way to them ( however you do see a difference at weekends when the part time drivers come out). As long as you make it clear what you want to do the other drivers will accommodate you. However he who hesitates is lost.
Sep 29th 2010, 8:16 am
#33
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: The UK
[QUOTE=JLFS;8883535]
I was of course (like you) being sarcastic, I don't have any problems sourcing fresh food. I don't do junk food, have never been in a McDonalds, KFC etc, and I don't think I am alone. Even my eldest son, who is single, doesn't do junk food either, he's a good cook. However, my mother, before she died, did used to buy a few M&S meals, and for her, they were a godsend. And for many more elderly and housebound, I suspect. True, you can see people with trolleys groaning under the weight of junk food, both in Spain and UK, but to suggest that's all everyone buys in UK is a nonsense. If you want to eat healthily, you will do so whever you live, I have seen more health food shops, delicatessans and the like in UK than in Spain. We are indeed, as a nation, getting a fat load of gits, but Spain is certainly not immune to this, the kids are going exactly the same way. The healthy mediterranean diet is becoming a thing of the past.
España tiene una de las tasas más altas de sobrepeso infantil de los países más industrializados
Sep 29th 2010, 8:57 am
#34
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Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
Re: The UK
Having been back here a week now ... I noticed at first how fast everyone is driving. I'm on the motorway at about 75 and there are cars tearing past me as if I am standing still. On the way to Pembroke an Escort undertook me at about 100 mph, then swerved between two more cars up in front then rolled about 5 times before ending up on its roof in a realy mess. Missed everyone but probably killed himself!
In rural and city areas everyone seems a lot more aggressive in their driving and I've had any number of people pull out infront of me and flick the finger when I dared to shake my head!
Traffic jams everywhere
I'm spending a fortune ... so no one tell me again that supermarket shopping in the UK is as cheap as Spain. It's not, and the choice of fresh meat and fish is definately not as good. Yes ... theres two for one offers, but they aint much good if you dont want two of whatever it is!
The skies are grey .... its raining , and within a week I already have a miserable cold.
Not long until I return, although I guess I will be buying logs as soon as I get there!
In rural and city areas everyone seems a lot more aggressive in their driving and I've had any number of people pull out infront of me and flick the finger when I dared to shake my head!
Traffic jams everywhere
I'm spending a fortune ... so no one tell me again that supermarket shopping in the UK is as cheap as Spain. It's not, and the choice of fresh meat and fish is definately not as good. Yes ... theres two for one offers, but they aint much good if you dont want two of whatever it is!
The skies are grey .... its raining , and within a week I already have a miserable cold.
Not long until I return, although I guess I will be buying logs as soon as I get there!
I'm taking a business trip back and this time have no car. Decided to try taking trains again as my last few experiences have been quite nice. But I was worried about the cost as things are quite tight.
I come from Hull so I tried Hull trains website. Wow! How cheap! (in a good way) I got my husband to London from Leeds (on another train company's train) for £27. reasonable I thought, But back to Hull from London only £15! then Hull to Leeds £6 I was on a roll. I booked myself Leeds to Chester to see my daughter only £9 each way! The only rule is to book over a week in advance. I really recommend Hull trains website because it's the easiest I've ever used! and my only affiliation is that I'm originally from Hull:-)
Anyway It looks like Train travel is on it's way back as a viable option for us expats. If you can handle Ryanair cattle trucks and Squeezy Jet, Train travel is a doddle. A lot less scary than the motorways.
Sep 29th 2010, 9:00 am
#35
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: The UK
[QUOTE=agoreira;8883579]
I was of course (like you) being sarcastic, I don't have any problems sourcing fresh food. I don't do junk food, have never been in a McDonalds, KFC etc, and I don't think I am alone. Even my eldest son, who is single, doesn't do junk food either, he's a good cook. However, my mother, before she died, did used to buy a few M&S meals, and for her, they were a godsend. And for many more elderly and housebound, I suspect. True, you can see people with trolleys groaning under the weight of junk food, both in Spain and UK, but to suggest that's all everyone buys in UK is a nonsense. If you want to eat healthily, you will do so whever you live, I have seen more health food shops, delicatessans and the like in UK than in Spain. We are indeed, as a nation, getting a fat load of gits, but Spain is certainly not immune to this, the kids are going exactly the same way. The healthy mediterranean diet is becoming a thing of the past.
Apparently it is not just the quality of the food, portion sizes are also to blame.
I was of course (like you) being sarcastic, I don't have any problems sourcing fresh food. I don't do junk food, have never been in a McDonalds, KFC etc, and I don't think I am alone. Even my eldest son, who is single, doesn't do junk food either, he's a good cook. However, my mother, before she died, did used to buy a few M&S meals, and for her, they were a godsend. And for many more elderly and housebound, I suspect. True, you can see people with trolleys groaning under the weight of junk food, both in Spain and UK, but to suggest that's all everyone buys in UK is a nonsense. If you want to eat healthily, you will do so whever you live, I have seen more health food shops, delicatessans and the like in UK than in Spain. We are indeed, as a nation, getting a fat load of gits, but Spain is certainly not immune to this, the kids are going exactly the same way. The healthy mediterranean diet is becoming a thing of the past.
Sep 29th 2010, 9:02 am
#36
Not Banned (yet)
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 6,400
Re: The UK
Try trains!
I'm taking a business trip back and this time have no car. Decided to try taking trains again as my last few experiences have been quite nice. But I was worried about the cost as things are quite tight.
I come from Hull so I tried Hull trains website. Wow! How cheap! (in a good way) I got my husband to London from Leeds (on another train company's train) for £27. reasonable I thought, But back to Hull from London only £15! then Hull to Leeds £6 I was on a roll. I booked myself Leeds to Chester to see my daughter only £9 each way! The only rule is to book over a week in advance. I really recommend Hull trains website because it's the easiest I've ever used! and my only affiliation is that I'm originally from Hull:-)
Anyway It looks like Train travel is on it's way back as a viable option for us expats. If you can handle Ryanair cattle trucks and Squeezy Jet, Train travel is a doddle. A lot less scary than the motorways.
I'm taking a business trip back and this time have no car. Decided to try taking trains again as my last few experiences have been quite nice. But I was worried about the cost as things are quite tight.
I come from Hull so I tried Hull trains website. Wow! How cheap! (in a good way) I got my husband to London from Leeds (on another train company's train) for £27. reasonable I thought, But back to Hull from London only £15! then Hull to Leeds £6 I was on a roll. I booked myself Leeds to Chester to see my daughter only £9 each way! The only rule is to book over a week in advance. I really recommend Hull trains website because it's the easiest I've ever used! and my only affiliation is that I'm originally from Hull:-)
Anyway It looks like Train travel is on it's way back as a viable option for us expats. If you can handle Ryanair cattle trucks and Squeezy Jet, Train travel is a doddle. A lot less scary than the motorways.
I had to get a return ticket the other week for a job interview for a 45 minute journey - cost £45. That I'm afraid is the reality for most people travelling on the rail system; as you say it can be a lot cheaper if you're able to book well ahead and don't need to travel before 10am.
Sep 29th 2010, 9:07 am
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
Re: The UK
Hmm, I think I can see the drawback in your plan - it involves travelling to Hull! I had to get a return ticket the other week for a job interview for a 45 minute journey - cost £45. That I'm afraid is the reality for most people travelling on the rail system; as you say it can be a lot cheaper if you're able to book well ahead and don't need to travel before 10am.
I had to get a return ticket the other week for a job interview for a 45 minute journey - cost £45. That I'm afraid is the reality for most people travelling on the rail system; as you say it can be a lot cheaper if you're able to book well ahead and don't need to travel before 10am.
Sep 29th 2010, 9:07 am
#39
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: The UK
[QUOTE=JLFS;8883662]
They won´t come to any harm
Last edited by agoreira; Sep 29th 2010 at 9:10 am.
Sep 29th 2010, 9:17 am
#40
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: my paradise - Jávea
Posts: 13,330
Re: The UK
the one I noticed was the huge range of ready-meal & prepared type products - & the trolleys full of them!!
of course fresh food is available & bought & people do cook from scratch- but here in Spain you get little choice but to cook from scratch - the prepared/convenience stuff simply isn't so prevalent
also, the fresh meat & fish we bought there just didn't seem to be of such a good quality - certainly the chickens of similar price to those I buy in Spain were scrawny & tasteless
conversely - my brother who lives in Australia commented on his last trip that the UK doesn't have much in the way of convenience food & takeaways compared to what he's used to
Sep 29th 2010, 9:26 am
#41
Not Banned (yet)
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 6,400
Re: The UK
someone must buy it!!!
the one I noticed was the huge range of ready-meal & prepared type products - & the trolleys full of them!!
of course fresh food is available & bought & people do cook from scratch- but here in Spain you get little choice but to cook from scratch - the prepared/convenience stuff simply isn't so prevalent
also, the fresh meat & fish we bought there just didn't seem to be of such a good quality - certainly the chickens of similar price to those I buy in Spain were scrawny & tasteless
conversely - my brother who lives in Australia commented on his last trip that the UK doesn't have much in the way of convenience food & takeaways compared to what he's used to
the one I noticed was the huge range of ready-meal & prepared type products - & the trolleys full of them!!
of course fresh food is available & bought & people do cook from scratch- but here in Spain you get little choice but to cook from scratch - the prepared/convenience stuff simply isn't so prevalent
also, the fresh meat & fish we bought there just didn't seem to be of such a good quality - certainly the chickens of similar price to those I buy in Spain were scrawny & tasteless
conversely - my brother who lives in Australia commented on his last trip that the UK doesn't have much in the way of convenience food & takeaways compared to what he's used to
Sep 29th 2010, 10:06 am
#42
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: The UK
And of course out of the big cities, every area has farmer's markets, farmer's stalls on the roadsides. There is even one near me, in the middle of nowhere, where all the fresh produce is left unattended, and you put money in the honesty box. There's also one left outside a country pub, help yourself, just leave the money.
Sep 29th 2010, 10:09 am
#43
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: The UK
They do that in the states too. In Surrey they put out apples help yourself for free, and some even label which is cooking or eating. Not on a main road but in the village.
Sep 29th 2010, 10:15 am
#44
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: East Finchley and Javea
Posts: 133
Re: The UK
One of the best things about London is the range of fantastic street markets, so you can always buy basic fresh produce at good prices. Of course you still have M&S, Sainsburys, Tesco etc selling pre-prepared meals for the yuppy set, and plenty of chicken/kebab/pizza takeaways, but the option is there.
Sep 29th 2010, 10:43 am
#45
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: The UK
Excuse me, but when I have been hard at work all day and get home at 21.00 I don't always feel like cooking a meal from fresh. Tescos meal deal ,maincourse, vegetable side dish, dessert and a passable bottle of wine all for a tenner does me very well. I don't think anyone would describe me as a yuppy.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/842312-...iches-for-kids
