Short trip back to UK - observations
#31
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
Yep, it's fugly out there on the motorways.
True, but I find it hard to drive that slow, being 7 hours from the nearest city bigger than Albuquerque. A real challenge. When I left the UK in the early 90s, traffic was always 95+ mph on some sections of the M5 and M6. It's very surreal out there now.
It has improved, but still has a long way to go. Brits, I'm afraid, are creatures of habit and don't know a crappy Mexican meal if they've never been west of Lands End (or for that matter, a crappy Indian meal if it veers from the usual 8-item takeaway selection). But pubs are still cheaper to eat at from my limited recent experience.
As a Salford grad, I can tell you that that all started around the early 90s. I've been back one since (late 90s) and can't imagine what it looks like now. I didn't recognize the place even on my last visit.
Definitely improved. Ironically, the Starbucks there have better food than most of them out here, particularly the western ones.
Enjoy the remainder of your trip, and do remember to ask to do a taste testing of Scotch at the duty free before you leave. (No ask, no get, and no better way to start an 8 a.m. flight.)
3) I had a great dinner in central Manchester in the redeveloped canal district, a great lunch elsewhere in Manchester, and a fabulous dinner in Scarborough (not what I expected). There are finally restaurants that are 'lively', casual, and offer good food. And there are plenty of alternatives to traditional pubs, which I feel is a good thing.
7) Good coffee seems to be much more readily available ... every service station had either a 'starbucks' or a 'Costa coffee', and they did a passable latte. I even had a great Marmite and Cheese Panini at the Starbucks! Many establishments now seem to have an esspresso machine, and some even know how to use it!
Enjoy the remainder of your trip, and do remember to ask to do a taste testing of Scotch at the duty free before you leave. (No ask, no get, and no better way to start an 8 a.m. flight.)
#32
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
I appreciate what they are trying to do, I just wish they'd find a way to make it less of an 'event'. If I'm taking out a group of people for a meal, I don't want the payment phase to be a break in the conversation, and I don't want to draw attention to the fact I'm paying. In the "US" model, final paperwork is delivered and you complete at your convenience (and your tipping decision is 'confidential'). In the "UK" model, they arrive at the table with a bit of machinery and you have to complete the transaction in their presence - it's that interruption, along with the fact that they are standing there while you do it, that bothers me. I guess I could get up and pay ... somewhere ... away from the table.
#33
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
Finally got stopped at BestBuy after I drew a pair of boobs in the sig box on the little machine...
#34
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
Part of the problem in England (as I see it) is that a high proportion of the population live in places that were built before cars. As recently as 1970 (say) many of these people did not have a car, or had just one per family. Now there are more cars on the road every year & used on a more daily basis. Roads are clogged, nowhere to park, terrible piece-meal traffic "improvements" everywhere (mini-roundabouts etc.)
#37
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
Is all this driving slower really true? I ask because this thread is the first I've heard of it. While I've been returning to the UK about 3 times a year I actually drove there for the first time in 6 years while over there a month or so ago. I did a couple of short-ish M3/M25/M4 journeys and - being nervous - stuck to the limit. Everybody else seemed to be flying by me (which is what I'd expected).
#38
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
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Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
The daftest piece of legislation was the widespread lowering of speed limits to "ease congestion"..... except no one seems to have pointed out to the gormless idiots in charge that of you drive SLOWER it takes LONGER to get somewhere.. so more traffic is on the road at any one time....
Correct.
Lorries, coaches, vehicles hauling trailers, and various other vehicles have lower speed limits, sometimes electronically limited, so that's physically impossible.
#39
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
Today, I filled up with fuel for the first time. Since I don't have a card with a chip, I had to sign. And since I sign with a careless scribble, the guy actually noticed and wanted to see ID!!!!! Shocked me to death.
I also had no idea whether my car was diesel or petrol ... I assumed diesel since it sounded like one, and since everyone seems to drive diesel. But the nozzle wouldn't fit .
The daftest piece of legislation was the widespread lowering of speed limits to "ease congestion"..... except no one seems to have pointed out to the gormless idiots in charge that of you drive SLOWER it takes LONGER to get somewhere.. so more traffic is on the road at any one time....
Wrong, everybody starts to drive at roughly the same speed which means there's little point pulling out to overtake, and thus fewer brake applications which cause ripple effects in traffic. Studies have shown that slowing the traffic down increases the average upwards. The only ones negatively affected are the lunatics that drive at 90+, weaving in and out to try to get every inch of advantage (and rarely get anywhere).
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Another thing much improved seems to be showers . It used to be impossible to take a shower without a few scalds and freezes, if someone in the same town flushed their toilet or something.
And today, in the Lakes, the weather was GLORIOUS !!!!! Clear, sunny, crisp. The Lake District, in good weather, is about as pretty as it gets - gentle rolling hills, distinctive walls, sheep grazing ... I have to confess, only one bad evening of rain so far. I shall have to do this again
#40
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
When I used to come back in the 80s and 90s, I remember there would always be multiple pile ups on the M1/M6. I would be in the slow lane doing 80+, and have to carefully strategize how to get into the middle lane to overtake a lorry since the middle lane was going much faster. By the time I got home I was a nervous wreck. Nowadays, it does seem like all three lanes are going about the same speed, and there is a lot less lane changing. I know that's hated by many, but for me it made for a more peaceful journey. I have yet to see an accident after driving several hundred miles.
#41
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
I hate anal street and that area of Manchester, Costa coffee and Starbucks decent coffee? FFS! as for the roads they are terrible I hate driving over here it's mind numbing you worry constantly that a few miles over the limit and your licence can be gone in 5 miles. The UK is a shithole and will get worse over the next few years
#42
Re: Short trip back to UK - observations
When I was in UK last year, my cousin told me they have changed the Highway Code and now you can legally undertake on the inside lanes on the motorways if the car in front is slower than you. IOW same as here! And yes, it does seem to have helped although the stop-start nature of driving anywhere in UK gets annoying quick. I was glad to be back on I-20 heading East (and no manual gearbox)