Notes from a Small Island

**p38arover** · 20th August 2014, 06:29 AM

(With apologies to to Bill Bryson.)

This is not a trip report but merely a collection of thoughts from our recent two weeks in England (note, I say England).

The countryside in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset is too green to be true! They must have sprayed dye everywhere!
The speed limits are sensible. Well, maybe not. In some places they seem too high for the roads but at least a motorbike can blast past without being booked!
The roads can be extremely narrow. Trying to get past a caravan going the otherway can be scary when there is a stone wall on the other side.
Ticket prices to attractions are very expensive, usually around the equivalent of $25 but the London Eye takes the cake at nearly $50 each. However, for locals, the prices may be OK as they sometimes allow multiple re-entries for a full 12 months. I got to the point where I would no longer wanted to see any attraction as I was sick of the rip-off prices.
Select an Oz price for something and change the dollar symbol to a Pound symbol and you're getting close, i.e., everything seems to cost twice what it is in Oz.
Coffee is crap.
The drivers are far more courteous than at home. At least they didn't abuse me for my mistakes.
The A roads are often as good as our motorways.
Cops seem to be more tolerant of speeding than in NSW let alone Victoria
You cannot afford to drink here!
There are an amazing number of things to see in a very small area.
If you see something you'd like to stop and look at, you can't. There simply isn't any verge to pull over onto.
There is no free parking. It will cost you a minimum of a Pound wherever you stop.
The best place to eat is in a pub, preferably one not tied to a brewery, i.e., a freehouse. The people, both staff and patrons, in the pubs are really friendly.
London is bloody awful! Everywhere else is good!
You will struggle to find a Brit working in cafes, restaurants, or hotels.
The crowds can be staggeringly heavy.
The fuel consumption of the Ford Focus we hired was staggeringly good (after a Rangie!) - 52mpg or 5.4 litres/100km on petrol.

**Redback** · 20th August 2014, 07:16 AM

Looks like nothing's changed, the Cornish is beautiful and yes, very very green(there's a reason for that) horizontal rain is common there, blow a dog off a chain

London is painful, but the standard of drivers is much higher than here.

If you think people are friendly in England, wait till you get to Scotland and Ireland.

So you are enjoying yourself after all

Baz.

**The Cone of Silence** · 20th August 2014, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by p38arover

(With apologies to to Bill Bryson.)

This is not a trip report but merely a collection of thoughts from our recent two weeks in England (note, I say England).

You cannot afford to drink here!
The best place to eat is in a pub, preferably one not tied to a brewery, i.e., a freehouse. The people, both staff and patrons, in the pubs are really friendly.

The price of beer is cheaper in the UK than it is in Sydney. Current average price is 3 pounds 50 for a pint which is equivalent to 2 pounds and 62 pence a schooner....which at today's exchange rate is equal to AU$4.68 for a schooner. Unless I've done my maths wrong...

I don't remember the last time I paid less than $5 for a schooner.

If you're paying more than 3 pounds 50 for a pint, you're either in a touristy pub in London or the average beer price has gone up recently....in which case you're quite right.

We'll always bemoan the price of beer.....it's a bloke thing.

Very glad you like the pubs.....I really miss good pubs in old buildings with friendly people and amazing, hearty, traditional pub food too. None of this $35 steak rubbish you see too much these days.

Hope you enjoyed your trip - well done for getting to the South West - beautiful down there.

Bobby

**spudboy** · 20th August 2014, 09:01 AM

I am always staggered a the cost of public transport in UK. Catching a train anywhere long distance is really expensive (I reckon)....

Sounds like you might be enjoying yourself a little bit here and there! That's good

**JDNSW** · 20th August 2014, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by spudboy

I am always staggered a the cost of public transport in UK. Catching a train anywhere long distance is really expensive (I reckon)....

......

Not exactly cheap here!

John

**p38arover** · 20th August 2014, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by The Cone of Silence

The price of beer is cheaper in the UK than it is in Sydney. Current average price is 3 pounds 50 for a pint which is equivalent to 2 pounds and 62 pence a schooner....which at today's exchange rate is equal to AU$4.68 for a schooner. Unless I've done my maths wrong...

I don't remember the last time I paid less than $5 for a schooner.

If you're paying more than 3 pounds 50 for a pint, you're either in a touristy pub in London or the average beer price has gone up recently....in which case you're quite right.

But I drink wine, I'm not really a beer drinker. I'd drink less than a carton a year at home and that's generally after mowing the lawn, etc. A pint of beer is simply too big a drink for me. Don't ask about a bottle of wine.

I only went to one pub in London.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Not exactly cheap here! (regarding transport)

John

Only $2.50 all day on buses, trains, and ferries for me in Sydney and surrounds .....

(but that's an unfair comparison).

It was almost cheaper going from Bristol to London on National Express buses (5 pounds) than to go across London on the Underground.

**JDNSW** · 20th August 2014, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by p38arover

.....

Only $2.50 all day on buses, trains, and ferries for me in Sydney and surrounds .....

(but that's an unfair comparison).

It was almost cheaper going from Bristol to London on National Express buses (5 pounds) than to go across London on the Underground.

But try train from Dubbo to Sydney, even at concession rates!

John

**bob10** · 20th August 2014, 06:24 PM

Have you tried the scrumpy yet? be careful, it's rocket fuel, Bob

**p38arover** · 20th August 2014, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by bob10

Have you tried the scrumpy yet? be careful, it's rocket fuel, Bob

Bob, I'm slow but not stupid!

I tried scrumpy in 1971. I've never been back!

I tried normal draught cider at a pub but couldn't finish it.

**bob10** · 21st August 2014, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by p38arover

Bob, I'm slow but not stupid!

I tried scrumpy in 1971. I've never been back!

I tried normal draught cider at a pub but couldn't finish it.

We were told a story by one of the local yokels in an old pub down in the back blocks near Plymouth. Standing at the bar, you could see what looked like a urinal drain passing down the front of the bar, leading to the street. Said local told us that life long scrumpy drinkers lose control of their bladder, and just empty it into the drain. Not sure if it is true or not, but it was a good story. We stuck to the Inde Coop![ think that was it] Bob

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