OldJuddian

As much as I say that US is my home, when I went into a UK supermarket and able to buy my childhood sweets I was in heaven. Lovely to visit, but don't want to stay. Happy to get back to my US home.

I actually realized that I love my US home (bigger and on a bigger plot), I have more money to enjoy life here, although I do work more hours. On balance The Motherland is now a lovely holiday home - but not real Home.

Steerpike

I just got back from what might be my best return visit ever! Spent two weeks in West Yorks with family. Didn't drive once - was ferried about by family members the entire time; such a relief not having to deal with narrow roads and lousy parking! Ate good home-cooked food, and took the train twice to London - 2hrs on the high-speed train from Wakefield, pretty amazing.

Weather was close to perfect - only rained a couple of times, and never when I was out doing anything. Unbelievably humid, though - even though it was only in the 60s/70s, I went hiking and felt worse than when I hike in Scottsdale in 100+ weather! And since no-one has AC (or window screens), I felt horribly hot and sticky at night so didn't sleep well (I've always had bug phobias so don't like sleeping with open windows without screens).

We went to many museums, all great fun, including the Railway Museum in York, the Mining Museum near Wakefield, and (on my day-trip to London) the Churchill War Rooms. Walked 10+ miles around London and loved it.

Had some good curries, and enjoyed many good home-cooked meals, and some good pizza.

I got my round-trip, non-stop ticket with 6 weeks notice for less than $800 with 'Thomas Cook Airlines' (SFO->MAN). Was very dubious about it, but turned out to be pretty decent. The only issue was, we were delayed over an hour on take-off because two rather scummy looking individuals got belligerent with the flight attendants. I stood directly behind these two when boarding and I must say, I thought ...'with these low prices, any kind of low-life can get a flight'. One guy had pants with the waistband around his knees and he was rude to the guy checking boarding passes. Apparently they would not "comply with instructions"; the plane returned to gate without any explanation, and a dozen beefy airport cops swarmed the plane and escorted them off. Good for them.

dc koop

It's probably a better idea to unload the children into the car first and then unload the shopping. A runaway cart with kids aboard could possibly connect with someone's car and do damage to his paint work. The irate owner of the damaged car might just hold your kids hostage until you've paid for the damage.

mrken30

Spent 3 weeks touring the south coast this year. Took my kid to see HMS Victory, a real pirate ship. Spent a week in Devon together with the rain, but still had a great time. Cream teas, Pasties and kebabs still taste better in the UK.

dc koop

I miss good pork pies and hot curries

mrken30

I am fortunate I guess. I have 10 or more curry houses in a 5 mile radius of where I live. UK curries still taste better.

dc koop

I found a couple of really good curry houses while in British Columbia. There is quite a large Hindu population around the Osoyoos area as many of the citrus farms are owned by Hindus. I would say that they were every bit as good as those in the UK