Good things about this country, and life!
Discussion
It strikes me that there is far too much scare mongering and doom and gloom on this forum. Our country and our lives are, in general, still fantastic compared with many other unfortunate soles on this planet. Indeed if the worls population were to all combine our problems i bet none of us would swap ours for an equal share...
Here's a few things that are making me particularly happy right now:
1. Legs - specifically those belonging to attractive females. Sometimes it's easy to forget how many lovely looking women there are out there...
2. Sunshine - as summer is starting and the birds are chirping earlier and the sun setting later i'm increasingly chipper and it's helping that i'm seeing more of 1. because of this!
3. People - there are actually an immense number of extremely nice people out there (far nicer than I!), it was nice to meet a few more this year on a quick PH romper run!
4. Music - it's great isn't it, whatever takes your fancy. Last night i stuck on Jack Johnson - Brushfire fairytales and then Cardigans - Long gone before daylight and lay on my bed listening to it. I'd definately reccomend these albums if you're having a hard day and need to calm down!
5. Pubs - one of lifes great pleasures, to walk into a pub, get a pint and sit chatting with friends. All the better now we can sit in the beer garden and put the world to rights later into the evening
6. Cars - Quite low down the list really, but cars are brilliant. When you think of how tiny the slice of time that humans have been around that we've had access to modern cars then it's so tiny that we're incredibly lucky to be able to get into a car and thrash it to within an inch of it's life. These pleasures are still to be had if you look for them and whilst the chances are becoming slimmer driving is still a massive buzz.
That is all,
Rob.
Here's a few things that are making me particularly happy right now:
1. Legs - specifically those belonging to attractive females. Sometimes it's easy to forget how many lovely looking women there are out there...
2. Sunshine - as summer is starting and the birds are chirping earlier and the sun setting later i'm increasingly chipper and it's helping that i'm seeing more of 1. because of this!
3. People - there are actually an immense number of extremely nice people out there (far nicer than I!), it was nice to meet a few more this year on a quick PH romper run!
4. Music - it's great isn't it, whatever takes your fancy. Last night i stuck on Jack Johnson - Brushfire fairytales and then Cardigans - Long gone before daylight and lay on my bed listening to it. I'd definately reccomend these albums if you're having a hard day and need to calm down!
5. Pubs - one of lifes great pleasures, to walk into a pub, get a pint and sit chatting with friends. All the better now we can sit in the beer garden and put the world to rights later into the evening
6. Cars - Quite low down the list really, but cars are brilliant. When you think of how tiny the slice of time that humans have been around that we've had access to modern cars then it's so tiny that we're incredibly lucky to be able to get into a car and thrash it to within an inch of it's life. These pleasures are still to be had if you look for them and whilst the chances are becoming slimmer driving is still a massive buzz.
That is all,
Rob.
Good things about this country?
-The fact that we value our history. It's often said the difference between Britain and America is 'in one, 100 miles is a long way. In the other, 100 years is a long time'. I'm glad to live in a country with such heritage.
-The British cult of the 'gentleman'. Although all the trash yells 'all men are bastards', the British gentleman is quietly reserved and honourable.
-British manners. Yes, so they're in decline, but compared to America we're saints.
-British eccentricity. Most significant and recognisable things about Britain have happened as a result of eccentrics.
-The NHS. Don't slag it off. If you fall severely ill one day you'll be eternally grateful that your misfortune won't turn into a personal financial debt possibly running into six figures.
-Our country lanes. I remember reading a car book written by an American with a passage that read 'to fully understand a British car, you must drive it on a British road'. Contrary to popular opinion, these are the roads that will never be affected by scameras or humps, because you can have fun within the limit.
-The 'trad-Brit' sports car. Saloon engine, parts-bin fittings, teamed to a chassis designed by a genius and a body sketched by an artist with a pen and paper. You might think this is a thing of the past. Check out a kit car magazine and you'll realise how wrong you are.
-The fact that we prefer houses to flats. Snobbery perhaps, but it's a symbol of rampant individualism.
-Our weather. Yes, I did say that. The reason is this - you can go on holiday to find better summer or winter weather, but for everyday day-to-day living, you don't have to put up with hurricanes, tsunamis, desert winds, bush fires, monsoon rains or avalanches.
-Our history of literature. Shakespeare, Dickens, Orwell - I rest my case.
-The fact that we value our history. It's often said the difference between Britain and America is 'in one, 100 miles is a long way. In the other, 100 years is a long time'. I'm glad to live in a country with such heritage.
-The British cult of the 'gentleman'. Although all the trash yells 'all men are bastards', the British gentleman is quietly reserved and honourable.
-British manners. Yes, so they're in decline, but compared to America we're saints.
-British eccentricity. Most significant and recognisable things about Britain have happened as a result of eccentrics.
-The NHS. Don't slag it off. If you fall severely ill one day you'll be eternally grateful that your misfortune won't turn into a personal financial debt possibly running into six figures.
-Our country lanes. I remember reading a car book written by an American with a passage that read 'to fully understand a British car, you must drive it on a British road'. Contrary to popular opinion, these are the roads that will never be affected by scameras or humps, because you can have fun within the limit.
-The 'trad-Brit' sports car. Saloon engine, parts-bin fittings, teamed to a chassis designed by a genius and a body sketched by an artist with a pen and paper. You might think this is a thing of the past. Check out a kit car magazine and you'll realise how wrong you are.
-The fact that we prefer houses to flats. Snobbery perhaps, but it's a symbol of rampant individualism.
-Our weather. Yes, I did say that. The reason is this - you can go on holiday to find better summer or winter weather, but for everyday day-to-day living, you don't have to put up with hurricanes, tsunamis, desert winds, bush fires, monsoon rains or avalanches.
-Our history of literature. Shakespeare, Dickens, Orwell - I rest my case.
Speaking of countryside.
The one thing I couldnt quantify with regards to differences that I really missed when I was in the states was hedgerows.
In the Pacific North West there are much the same rolling green fields as the UK but they arent cut up by wonderful hedgerows and dry stone walls.
You see them so often in the UK that they have little meaning but as soon as they are gone you realise just how they break up the monotony.
Bizzare I grant you but I like hedgerows.
No, I'm not off to hug a tree, theres still Opti in my veins so there :P
The one thing I couldnt quantify with regards to differences that I really missed when I was in the states was hedgerows.
In the Pacific North West there are much the same rolling green fields as the UK but they arent cut up by wonderful hedgerows and dry stone walls.
You see them so often in the UK that they have little meaning but as soon as they are gone you realise just how they break up the monotony.
Bizzare I grant you but I like hedgerows.
No, I'm not off to hug a tree, theres still Opti in my veins so there :P
Twincam16 said:
Good things about this country?
-The NHS. Don't slag it off. If you fall severely ill one day you'll be eternally grateful that your misfortune won't turn into a personal financial debt possibly running into six figures.
SO true. My Dad was out here on holiday, had a heart attack and ended up being flown by air ambulance to John's Hopkins in Baltimore for an angiogram, then finally a quadrupal bypass. Start to end took a month and total cost was $130,000 (Hospital Bed - $1300 a night, medicine = $$$$$$, Air Ambulance = $25,000) Luckily he was covered by travel insurance (99 quid for the year), but if he hadn't had any....
>> Edited by juice on Tuesday 10th May 12:49
agreed.. hedgerows are ace. and most of them have been in place longer than most countries! 
and of course, as rob originally said. pubs, are a true wonder.... and even better.. pub gardens. my second favourite pub is the 'anchor inn', in seatown in dorset, its on the beach and they serve 'palmers 200' mmmmmm. dont lets get started on british beer, which of course is mighty tasty..
and of course, as rob originally said. pubs, are a true wonder.... and even better.. pub gardens. my second favourite pub is the 'anchor inn', in seatown in dorset, its on the beach and they serve 'palmers 200' mmmmmm. dont lets get started on british beer, which of course is mighty tasty.. Twincam16 said:
Good things about this country?
The fact that we value our history. It's often said the difference between Britain and America is 'in one, 100 miles is a long way. In the other, 100 years is a long time'. I'm glad to live in a country with such heritage.
Reminds me of a classic line uttered by my ex-girlfriend to an American friend.
After some good-natured banter about their independence day celebrations, he commented that it was America's 220 ish birthday.
She paused, and observed that not only was her School older than the US, she was pretty certain that her house was as well...
Writing this I'm noticing that it was funnier at the time, perhaps its the delivery?
Im sure that we will have a few traditions left by the time the current government has finished dismantling everything they can get their hands on...
Rob_F said:
It strikes me that there is far too much scare mongering and doom and gloom on this forum. Our country and our lives are, in general, still fantastic compared with many other unfortunate soles on this planet. Indeed if the worls population were to all combine our problems i bet none of us would swap ours for an equal share...
Here's a few things that are making me particularly happy right now:
1. Legs - specifically those belonging to attractive females. Sometimes it's easy to forget how many lovely looking women there are out there...
2. Sunshine - as summer is starting and the birds are chirping earlier and the sun setting later i'm increasingly chipper and it's helping that i'm seeing more of 1. because of this!
3. People - there are actually an immense number of extremely nice people out there (far nicer than I!), it was nice to meet a few more this year on a quick PH romper run!
4. Music - it's great isn't it, whatever takes your fancy. Last night i stuck on Jack Johnson - Brushfire fairytales and then Cardigans - Long gone before daylight and lay on my bed listening to it. I'd definately reccomend these albums if you're having a hard day and need to calm down!
5. Pubs - one of lifes great pleasures, to walk into a pub, get a pint and sit chatting with friends. All the better now we can sit in the beer garden and put the world to rights later into the evening
6. Cars - Quite low down the list really, but cars are brilliant. When you think of how tiny the slice of time that humans have been around that we've had access to modern cars then it's so tiny that we're incredibly lucky to be able to get into a car and thrash it to within an inch of it's life. These pleasures are still to be had if you look for them and whilst the chances are becoming slimmer driving is still a massive buzz.
That is all,
Rob.
Don’t disagree with any of those but 1, 2, 4 and 6 you can get in any European country and certainly 1 & 2 is often better than the UK.
The few things I miss occasionally are:
Twisty windy lanes – Italy is fabulous for driving but you can’t beat a twisty British A or B road on a summer’s morning – preferably in an open top sports car.
Country side – the Alps are breathtaking but nothing beats the soft rolling green of the South Downs or the Thames Valley.
Live Jazz in pubs (especially Sunday lunchtimes) – surprisingly difficult to come across on the continent.
Being able to go to shopping on a Sunday. Having everything shut on Sunday seems like a nice quaint old fashioned idea until you actually need to get things done on your weekend. Same goes for shops shutting for 3 hours in the afternoon over here.
Motor racing – in the south east at least you’re surprisingly well blessed for race circuits. If you’re in the right part then Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Castle Coombe, Thruxton, Goodwood and possibly Donnington are all doable in a day. I can’t think of anywhere on the continent with so many circuits in close proximity. But then if you’re in Brussels and have Spa and the Ring two hours up the road who cares about anything else
Police are more friendly - maybe it’s just me or maybe it’s the guns but the police in just about every European country I’ve visited seem like jack booted storm troopers compared to the British police. British police seem much more approachable. In Spain I was carted off for three hours, fingerprinted and run through a police computer because I didn’t have any ID on me. Can’t see that happening in the UK - for a while yet at least.
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