Yesterday was a historic day for Cunard as The QE2, Queen Mary2 and the new Queen Victoria sailed up the Hudson into New York to a firework welcome (see video). Now we’re not a cruise website by any stretch of the imagination, and I’ve never sailed on any of these ships, but it strikes me that this is a mighty fine way of starting one’s vacation in Britain (or perhaps finishing off).
2 comments January 15th, 2008
This is by way of a warning when driving on British Roads. We have speed cameras everywhere. I think we’ve got as many speed cameras as rabbits - they seem to be proliferating at the same rate anyway. A debatable number of these yellow boxes are there in the name of road safety. The vast majority however are cash generators for our esteemed government. You have been warned. Even Britain’s top traffic cop, Meredith Hughes fell foul of the cameras recently and was fined and disqualified from driving for 6 weeks for driving at 90mph in a 60 mph area. I shouldn’t gloat as I’m nearly in the same position as Mr. Hughes, being only a couple of minor speeding offences away from a statutory driving ban. I’m not alone however as it’s calculated that there are over 1 million motorists in the same predicament. If you think that the fact that you’re not British and that you’re driving a rental car will protect you …think again.
1 comment January 9th, 2008
Christmas has just been and gone, and I had a great time.
Christmas is a very important time of year in the UK, as it is when families all come together, have a roast turkey dinner and exchanges presents.
My family and I have had an adventure this year getting all the Christmas lights, decorations and most importantly the Christmas Tree from out of the attic and putting them on display. There are a wide variety of trees that you can choose from in Britain, white trees, black trees etc. This year we decided to go with the traditional pine green tree, themed with golden tinsel and beads, glittering baubles and reindeer and taking centre piece is the shining star at the top. It looks beautiful, and my 9-month old son cannot take his eyes off it.
Add comment January 2nd, 2008
I heard an interesting thing on the radio this morning. It was the Prince of Wales speaking Welsh. Now my first language is Welsh and it’s the language spoken by about half a million of us in Wales, but it was still a surprise to hear Charles speaking it. He was obviously reading it from a script but nonetheless his pronunciation was passable. Apparently, he’s purchased the Llwynywermwd estate located in Myddfai in Camarthenshire and in the short clip I heard, he talked of his love of the area and how much he’s looking forward to coming there to stay. As it happens Myddfai has a prominent place in Welsh folk lore, being associated with the tales of the “Physicians of Myddfai” (”Meddygon Myddfai” in Welsh) and “The Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach” ( Morwyn Llyn y Fan Fach) dating back to the 13th century that are worth recounting.
Add comment December 14th, 2007
Just an update on my previous Blog to say that the Sustrans Connect2 Project won the £50 million funding. Thanks to any that voted for this project. You’ll be happy to know that I’ll be able to cycle to the paper shop in the near future as work on the various projects start in January 2008.
Add comment December 14th, 2007
I often get asked for a list of my top places to visit in Britain, both from guests and colleagues in myguideBritain. It’s a difficult question to answer as there are so many great places to list and more often than not I try and deflect it by suggesting some safe bets such as Stonehenge, Bath and Edinburgh. These are places that I know everyone will love. Also, you see, I’m never sure if people will like the same things as me. And of course, it depends very much on my current mood! If I’m a bit stressed my list includes remote out of the way places such as the Brecon Beacons, just a few miles from the office, here in South Wales where I can sit in solitude. If I’m on top of my game it’ll include dynamic buzzing places such as London………. I’m sure you get the drift.
Add comment November 29th, 2007
“There are few things more personal than eating, and if you reject someone’s food, you kind of reject them.”
so said Walter Scheib, former White House chef last week, on the diet of candidates on the campaign trail. (”Quote of the Day” in the New York Times on Friday 23rd November).
I’m not 100% sure what he’s trying to say about the presidential candidates but it reminded me a little of how I’d felt after hearing a comment from a French hotelier in a London travel conference a few weeks back. He was most insulting towards our national dish of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper and our habit of eating it with our fingers. This was from a guy who’d quite happily serve his guests snails, frog’s legs and who knows what other animal parts! Sacre Bleu!
Add comment November 26th, 2007
I used to live in Louisville, Kentucky and my first daughter was born there so it holds a warm place in my heart. It was in Loretto, Kentucky on a bright autumn day of that year that I discovered hard liquor ….. and Maker’s Mark is still my whisky of choice. Try it and be convinced.
2 comments November 21st, 2007
The Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh celebrate 60 years of married life tomorrow although the ceremony to celebrate this takes place today at Westminster Abbey. The guests will include not only the great and the good but also 10 couples who married on the same day as her - nice touch.
We at myguideBritain send her our best wishes…….just in case she reads our blogs. Somehow I don’t think she’ll have time with all the Tiara changing that will be going on this week between the various celebrations.
Add comment November 19th, 2007
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