Posts filed under 'England'
This weekend is a massive sporting weekend on both sides of the Atlantic. You’ve got Superbowl XLII in Phoenix, Arizona .We’ve got the opening matches in the 2008 six nations rugby tournament involving Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy. 
In both events the media hype for the games is massive with players taking on the status of warrior gods in these clashes of titans.
The build-up is very much the same both sides of the pond and will remain so until a few minutes prior to kick off when it’s time for the National Anthem. In Colorado the crowd will unite with Jordin Sparks (sorry I don’t know her either but she won “American Idol” if that means anything to you) and stand proud in the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. In the rugby matches a sub competition occurs at this point when each nation involved sings its own anthem. It’s a proud moment with the power to bring tears to the eyes. I know I’m not the only one.
February 1st, 2008
In common with millions I enjoy a good TV period costume drama. I don’t know how many versions of “Pride and Prejudice” I’ve seen ( I’ve watched the 2005 film version at least three times - perhaps Keira Knightley in the role of Elizabeth had something to do with that!). ” Do you Dance Mr. Darcy?”….. “Not if I can help it!” My answer to Keira would have been rather different. But then of course I’m no Mr. Darcy
January 22nd, 2008
Norfolk’s unusual landscape is one of the most remarkable in Britain. No mountains and valleys here - it’s wide and open as a result of the ice age Glaciers that covered Britain (as well as over a third of the world) for over 80,000 years until the great meltdown about 10,000years ago. I wonder what caused global warming at that time. Hairy Mammoth flatulence maybe?
January 17th, 2008
As both my daughters now live in London I find myself visiting frequently, generally using the underground to get around. On my last visit however, my eldest who has only just moved there, persuaded me to buy tickets for one of the hop on hop off CitySightseeing buses (that we actually sell here at myguideBritain).
January 16th, 2008
“Why should you never swerve your car to hit a Scouser on a bike…?” I was about to start this Blog with
a joke about Liverpool as on Friday night the city celebrated the opening ceremony of its year as European Capital of Culture 2008. This nomination and accolade has been for me both a surprise and a delight. As many of you will know, if you have spoken with me or read our team profiles on the website, I studied and lived for 3 years of my life in Liverpool and therefore, for me, this magnificent city will always hold many special memories (and a few hazy ones). However, Liverpool does seem to take a good verbal bashing from the peoples of most other areas of Britain. So why has Liverpool been given such a prestigeous title? What is the culture of Liverpool? And what on earth is a Scouser?
January 14th, 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.
January 9th, 2008
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.
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!
November 26th, 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.
November 19th, 2007
I drove through London this week to some meetings. It took me over 2 hours to cover the 25 miles or so across the city to Canary Wharf in the east end. Should have taken my own advice and used public transport!
However I did take a short diversion on the way to see the newly restored St Pancras Station, the new terminal for Eurostar trains that will whisk you away to Paris in the same time it took me to get across London!
What a fantastic building.
November 16th, 2007
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