Assuming you have read the other two parts of this topic <<Part 1>> <<Part 2 >>, this part will take on the much more mundane topic of traffic signs and roads. The number and type of signs in the UK is large, so there is no way to cover all of them. This government website covers the ones the government thinks are the most important. Generally, triangular signs with red borders are …
Ok, so we have our rental all checked out. But before you fire it up, do a thorough checkout so you know how to operate it—handbrake, cruise controls, gearing, instruments, fuel filling locations (and what type fuel it takes), options on the dashboard, heater, etc. Driving is going to take a lot of your attention, so having to figure out how to get the cabin temperature where you want it while trying to figure …
The Borough Market, on the south side of the Thames River, was established in 1756 and has been in operation ever since. The area is near the river, the Shard, and the London Bridge. The first time we visited, the weather was rainy, actually it was pouring down rain. As the market is mostly covered, it was crowded with intrepid visitors and shoppers from all over the world.
The market is made up of …
When we first lived in England in the middle ‘70s, Jake was there as a US Naval officer on exchange to the Royal Navy. Therefore, he was covered by what was then called the “Status of Forces Agreement,” which covered what was and was not required of the military forces assigned to the UK. Among them was that Jake had no requirement to obtain a UK driving license within a year. He could drive in …
OK, so maybe Toad-In-The-Hole is not for you. Or Bangers and Mash. But sausages are for breakfast, right?
Let’s take a look at breakfast, then. And maybe some other meals as well.
For a few years, both of us had a personal trainer who helped greatly in teaching us the most effective way to work out without injuring ourselves. She also shared this: “Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper.” …
Let’s get serious here, traveler. It rains in England. Often. In fact, if you look at London climatological data, it rains in London every other day, on average. So, if you plan to be in England, you can assume it will rain sometime during your visit.
What do you do when it rains? I have three words for you: “Brolly,” “Mac” and “Wellies.” Now before you go off in a huff because I used foreign …
One of the fun things about the English language is how, over time, expressions that become popular seem to make no sense at all. Some of the funniest relate to food and many come from the Brits; to call them strange is not a stretch! Let’s translate them for you so when you see the items on the menu you’ll know exactly what they are.
First up, “Toad-in-the-Hole.” This one is easy, but let’s begin …
When we stayed at Updown Cottage in Shaftesbury, we were with dear friends who were on their first visit to England, so we wanted them to experience as much of the “real” England as possible. After picking them up at Heathrow and allowing for a bit of rest from the overnight flight, we loaded up the rental car and set out for Shaftesbury where we would be staying for a week. By the time we …
When we stayed at the Octon Lodge the first time, we asked the landlord where we could get dinner, having arrived fairly late in the day. He pointed out two pubs, each about the same distance. One of them was the Greyhound Inn, in Staple Fitzpaine. The pub was only 5 minutes from the Lodge, so we headed there. Being adventurous, Jake ordered the Lamb in Lavender sauce that was on the menu. While …
We were asked by a visitor to the site about the issue of tipping in the UK.
Americans are known as generous tippers. I think it’s because we think people who serve us in restaurants, hotels, garages, etc., don’t get a sufficient wage, and that thinking is probably correct. However, in other parts of the world the wages those folks get are more substantial and tipping is not essential to their financial survival.
So, the …