Exploits of a U.S. Expat in England

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151513682012-01-19T14:57:18.267-08:00Exploits of a U.S. Expat in EnglandI18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-88138918108142591622012-01-11T06:34:00.000-08:002012-01-11T15:04:32.137-08:00Lost in translations

(I won't comment on how long it's been. Nor the paradox of the previous sentence.)I often feel the urge to construct a UK English - US English colloquial dictionary. I know there are loads of dictionaries out there, but I don't think many of them contain the following:UK English - US EnglishHeath Robinson - Rube GoldbergDaddy long legs, Crane fly - Mosquito hawkScampi - small tailless fried

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-71728382987910533442011-06-02T02:39:00.000-07:002011-06-02T02:42:24.359-07:00Don't allow auto-recharge on SKYPE!!!!!!!!

Skype takes NO responsibility for someone hacking into your account, even if the hack came from outside your computer.Disable your auto-recharge!Set a 25 character password!Better yet, use a phone service that provides decent customer service.Tell all your friends and contacts - Facebook, Twitter, wherever.ARRRRRGGGGGGGHHH!!!!!

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-10770225139229965052010-04-29T06:18:00.000-07:002010-04-30T08:32:28.519-07:00Oh fudge!

While our volcano-impeded visitors were biding their time, they spent a day in Bath. As a thank-you to us for our continued hospitality, they brought us a box of fudge. On the outside of the box is written a promising: Handmade Creamy Fudgeand further:A delicious creamy fudge handmade in copper pansMmmm, doesn't that sound yummy? What flavor(flavour)? you ask. And well you may. Without

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-45485800762396689102010-04-27T14:56:00.000-07:002010-04-27T15:12:47.956-07:00This photo has been volcanically enhanced

We had guests over the Spring Break, a little longer than we expected! People asked us if we could see the volcanic ash from Mount Unpronounceableandhardtospell. The short answer is yes, some days it was hazy. But the more compelling answer appears below:© RJJenkins, 2010

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-61480669077133618462010-01-28T14:41:00.000-08:002010-01-28T15:04:40.347-08:00The view that keeps us going

It was difficult to get a clear photo, but the moon crescent reflected on the water the other night was so peaceful:And the view while washing the dishes (we do not have a dishwasher, or, well, we have 2, me and Richard):The flowers in the foreground are a bunch of freesias given to me by a friend.And just in case you didn't catch the weather reports, some shots of the snow a couple of weeks ago:

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-77980223278551048952010-01-28T14:19:00.000-08:002010-01-28T14:39:27.593-08:00Cats got my tongue

I realize I haven't written in awhile - I have sooooooooooooo many topics, but I am stymied by my desire to write them well. And I was sitting in my glider and ottoman, tapping away on my laptop (working, presumably), when I heard Ziggy make a little chirp (which is funny, since she's a cat). And I looked down, and saw this:And then I looked at Bagheera on the couch next to me:And I thought, "

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-72051927347229158872009-04-30T14:30:00.000-07:002009-04-30T14:32:32.504-07:00Pond life

Is it me, or does green tea smell like a fish tank that needs cleaning?(I mean, I drink the stuff, if it's hot, but every time I bring the mug close to my nose - hrrrmph.)

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-6620405043588966402009-04-30T14:27:00.001-07:002009-04-30T14:30:07.498-07:00Otherworldly

A few weeks ago, an incredibly calm day with a slight haze ...

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-46664950878463964012009-01-23T04:17:00.000-08:002009-01-23T04:52:21.380-08:00Clifton Suspension Bridge - Solargraph

A local (and international) landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and completed almost 150 years ago. Here is a solargraph of the bridge and surrounds, from the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (which I highly recommend checking out on a daily basis, or whenever you can).

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-20394515329363828082008-10-22T03:49:00.000-07:002008-10-22T08:13:00.762-07:00Cornish pastimes

We went to Cornwall at the end of August. For those of you who don't know, Cornwall is the most southwesterly region of Great Britain. It is a popular tourist destination for the British, and surprisingly, for other Europeans as well - more to come on that. I can't say that I had heard of Cornwall before meeting my husband. About the closest I came was having Rock Cornish Game Hen for the

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-33305929228048628472008-09-06T03:10:00.000-07:002008-09-06T03:31:48.329-07:00Damp Yankees

The summer of 2006 in the UK was beautiful. There were very few overcast days, let alone rainy ones. I remember telling a friend at the end of his 2 week hiking trip through Scotland that he was extremely lucky with the weather.Little did I know how right I was to be. Last summer was dismal. We went to visit a friend in Germany (same latitude) at the end of June for a couple of weeks, and I

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-76908848434701003242008-07-01T04:48:00.000-07:002008-07-01T05:22:23.291-07:00Miles away

I am not a devotee to any particular frequent flyer program. I'm a member of several, and when I fly a given airline, I register my membership number to have the miles posted to the relevant program. Very occasionally I'll rent a car, stay at a hotel, book online, or answer a survey and add some miles that way. I've also been known to purchase miles to keep existing miles from

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-54211238439013913312008-05-06T15:02:00.000-07:002008-05-06T15:23:39.209-07:00Spring has sprung,

the grass has riz,I wonder wheah de boidies is?Well, the short English summer has begun. 'Short?' you say, 'why it's the beginning of May, which would give it several months until summer ends in September.' Ha! But the weather, she does not necessarily agree with the schedule. Last year summer was in April. This year, it appears to be in May. One hopes it will hold out, but there are no

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-51420269888794302792008-03-16T10:39:00.000-07:002008-03-16T11:16:27.499-07:00A Speci-oil O-Cassia-n

I have discovered Easter biscuits (biscuits = cookies), which remarkably many English have not discovered. Let me explain:The other day I was in the local greengrocer/butchers, at the checkout counter. By the register was a little display with small bottles of something called Oil of Cassia. They were advertised as being "for Easter biscuits". So I asked, "what is oil of Cassia?" "It's a

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-24471582462432441512008-02-25T01:35:00.000-08:002008-02-25T01:52:49.097-08:00The Doors

Rest assured, this is not a blog tribute to an ex-band.I didn't really pay too much attention to the nature of my MIL's house over the many years we came to visit. Houses have their quirks and their idiosyncratic spaces, and any notice I took of this particular phenomenon was more in passing than in earnest.While we were looking at houses, though, I began to realize that this was a

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-74004141528731590412007-10-30T16:21:00.000-07:002007-10-31T04:26:50.379-07:00Halloweenies

Yes, some do celebrate Halloween here, to answer your question. No, I am not having a party this year, not just because I feel buried (ha ha), but also because I just don't know enough people in the area to invite (sad but true).But one encounters some funny reactions to Halloween here. Take trick-or-treating. In the US it is the most innocuous thing, really. Kids get to dress up and knock on

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-65562568731271552082007-08-23T15:01:00.000-07:002008-06-30T16:04:55.894-07:00The Un-Cooperative Bank redux

Well, I know you are all out there on the edge of your seats waiting for the scintillating conclusion to the saga of my non-banking with the Un-Cooperative Bank. Even though I am exhausted and have my usual thousand things to do, the guilt has overtaken my better judgement and I am compelled to pen (or rather key) the rest of the story. Also I want to get it out of my head (there's hardly room

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-70267264463168136602007-07-20T15:35:00.001-07:002007-07-20T15:55:22.403-07:00Wallflowers redux

OK, I have a few minutes here, so out of the thousand things I could be doing (like, for example, sleeping), I thought I would follow up on the wallpapers. Drum roll, please.Kitchen (now ripped off! see photo)OfficeOld entrywayBedroom hallway2nd bedroomMain bathroomCloset panels in master bedroomDining room and utility areaCurtains are in the living room.My vote for the ugliest is #6, the main

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-17644887436987691712007-07-20T15:25:00.000-07:002007-07-20T15:31:54.671-07:00Before the deluge

Our view in mid-June, before the Great Deluge began.(Coming soon: follow-ups to the ugly wallpaper contest, The Un-Co-operative Bank, and a special bonus, Orange you glad you switched to Virgin)

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-8347457308104854842007-05-21T15:23:00.000-07:002007-08-24T08:25:18.147-07:00Don't bank on email

I know it's been awhile since my last post on life here, but believe me it's not for lack of material. First, a little background information: I'm not a telephone person, nor is my husband. Our phone does not ring that much; often when it does and I'm near it, I jump.This is not the case for English people, apparently. People telephone to conduct their business. It's a perfectly reasonable

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-4032262732955385082007-05-04T13:55:00.000-07:002007-05-04T14:11:14.970-07:00Portishead in bloom

The view from my office window (at home) of the back garden.The view from the far end of the dining room.The view straight out the dining room window.We have had some stellar weather lately. The garden is in full bloom (except the daffodils and tulips are past their prime). We have just done some trimming and pruning, and cut the grass, so the garden is in fine form.I know this is a bit mundane

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-30611424579625403602007-05-01T14:12:00.000-07:002007-05-01T14:16:30.341-07:00Lily

My beautiful LilyFebruary 2006 - April 29, 2007May she have lots of voles to chase wherever she is now.My heart is broken.

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-76017592559051376752007-03-26T15:26:00.000-07:002007-03-26T15:35:34.919-07:00The view from our kitchen window

I do feel bad that I haven't blogged in a long time, especially with more information about the house. So while waiting to use the phone, I thought I'd share the view from our kitchen window this evening:And from our front entrance:It's a little blurry, but you get the idea. Who cares what the wallpaper looks like?

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-41773038557255392142007-03-05T13:29:00.000-08:002007-03-05T13:54:31.590-08:00This would never fly

There is a company here called Roach Foods.My US readers know why I make this comment. I have yet to see a cockroach here, it's true. The restaurants that get cited 'round these parts usually have a mice infestation, or in some cases, rats. I don't know what folks would do if they saw one of our Texas flying roaches (called Palmetto bugs in the Deep South). And though the description says

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1171379272054883682007-02-13T06:52:00.000-08:002007-02-14T15:31:34.143-08:00Tag, I'm it

I've been tagged. I still am not 100% sure what it means, but apparently I'm to reveal 5 things about myself that others are unlikely to know. So once again I depart from the main thrust of this blog.Now, I have actually been pondering this listing for some time. These things will appear in a blog that anyone can read. For me this means that I cannot list anything which will:thwart a future

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1171374703644417562007-02-13T05:27:00.000-08:002007-02-15T04:47:42.500-08:00Wallflowers - vote!

Several folks have asked to see pictures of the infamous house. Well, in this blog you'll see some, but they may not be exactly what you were looking for.But today I'm going to ask for some audience participation. You - yes, you - are requested to vote. For in the very house I will be describing, there is ... wallpaper. In true English tradition, there is nary a plain painted wall, but instead

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1170954439641328742007-02-08T08:57:00.000-08:002007-02-13T09:54:14.050-08:00Forces of nature

I know that many folks are waiting for pictures of the house - I will get to those blogs soon, but I had to quickly fire off 2 pictures today.First of all, our new kittens, alias Yin and Yang:Fluffy white, sleek black. It's a pity the duvet cover is white, but still...And next, snow awaited us this morning (it's all gone by now, of course):

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1170025839301120172007-01-28T15:08:00.000-08:002007-08-01T10:55:57.379-07:00Take away the chips

It's true that many US folk know English folk call French fries chips. Now I'm here to tell you that isn't quite true. The English call French fries, get this, French fries! Maybe occasionally they're called pommes frites. What the English call chips is what Americans call steak fries. That is, they're big and fat and soggy, not thin and crispy like French fries. And French fries do exist here,

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1162670460286643302006-11-04T11:54:00.000-08:002007-08-01T10:53:42.909-07:00Part the first - home is where the gazumping isn't

So, for those of you just now taking a look, this part was actually published before the 2nd part, but Blogger's file anming system resulted in the first part being overwritten. Thanks to a kind and alert friend, I was able to recover the first part, and am now reposting it, slightly retitled to avoid the inherent problem.I gather from the lack of comments or responses in any form that no-one

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1162417819490008112006-11-01T13:47:00.000-08:002006-11-02T23:16:12.846-08:00Help!!! If you have a copy of the gazumping blog!

All,Through Blogger's oh-so-intelligent file naming system, it has overwritten my "home is where the gazumping isn't - part the first" with the "... - part the second" portion. If anyone has the text from the first part, please email it to me, or save it and send me a comment!Thanks very much

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1161990281559624552006-10-27T16:03:00.000-07:002006-10-30T10:45:30.536-08:00by the way...

we are homeowners in England as of today. Better put, we are now indentured to an English bank...

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1161987248937116302006-10-27T15:13:00.000-07:002007-08-01T10:53:42.909-07:00Home is where the gazumping isn't - part the second

So let's say that you miraculously find something in this mire that both you and your spouse/partner like, or at least are willing to live in with a little fixing up. You need to make an offer. How can you make an offer that is likely to be accepted?Well, first you have to offer a decent price, and that determination is the same as the US (do you think there's another bidder? How high are you

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1161114509378424272006-10-17T12:35:00.000-07:002006-10-31T23:23:06.140-08:00A Day in the Life

This is not my usual format, but today I'm going to do a diary of a rather uninteresting day that is today. Why am I doing this? Well, there is a project spearheaded by the History Matters folks called "1 Day in History". Those who want to participate are to write a diary of their day on October 17th, then upload it to the History Matters Web site.This is just in Britain, so I guess history

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1160604972568726692006-10-11T15:03:00.000-07:002006-10-12T20:37:50.370-07:00Dazed and confused

I return from Texas, having not had Internet access, catching up on my emails and such. In my semi-conscious state, I read the answer to a question I asked of a commenter on my blog, that is, who are you? (You know who you are, I did not post the latest response to protect your privacy.) I got the answer.The name is the same of someone I knew in high school. But it seems unlikely that it is the

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1158272144561373982006-09-14T14:45:00.000-07:002006-09-29T13:19:39.636-07:00Cap'n, there be Wales here

Yes, it's true, I do think of the double entendre often when I here phrases about whales. For those of you who don't know, Bristol is very close to the Welsh border, separated only by the Severn Estuary. In fact, the house we're trying to buy (that's another blog on another day) looks out over the estuary with the Welsh hills beyond. There are two major bridges which cross the Severn near

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1155152333124939342006-08-09T12:38:00.000-07:002007-08-01T10:53:42.909-07:00Home is where the gazumping isn't - part the first

I gather from the lack of comments or responses in any form that no-one read to the bottom of my last blog. Perhaps it was too long, too dull, too detailed, all of the above; in any case, I'll take that as a sign that I shouldn't add any portion of it to the one day in history project.What is gazumping? Well, that is best described by explaining the process of house buying here in sunny England

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1155152012583513732006-08-09T12:30:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.507-07:00Speaking of false friends

By the way, if someone in England asks you for a fag, they're after a cigarette. And if they say they had a faggot for dinner, they mean a meatball made of offal.

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1154186244075815552006-07-29T07:54:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.508-07:00False friends

I'm certainly not talking about the English people in my title. In fact, I find them quite friendly. In comparison with Texas, Connecticut, and California, I would put them just a little less friendly than Texans, more friendly than (Northern) Californians, and lots more friendly than Nutmeggers (Connecticuttites?). I suppose I should explain my subjective (naturally) criteria for judging. I

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1147300455661973402006-05-10T15:15:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.508-07:00Egging me on

My MIL* has an egg piercer fridge magnet. It's been on her fridge for as long as I've been visiting, which is over 13 years.An egg piercer? What the heck is that for? Maybe there are some Americans who know, but I certainly didn't. The English like their soft boiled eggs (or "boiled eggs" as they're called here). To boil them, they first pierce the end with air (the 'pointy' end of the egg),

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1140284001335893422006-02-18T09:20:00.000-08:002006-02-18T10:18:37.920-08:00Olympic proportions

I am a huge fan of the Olympics. I suppose this is a little bit odd, since I don't watch much in the way of sport. Come Olympic time, I am glued to the television, summer or winter. For the last several years, my husband has watched some of it with me. I tended to watch on basic network television, and so had to put up with the way it was presented.Presented? But it's a sporting event?Not in the

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1137625171957498772006-01-18T14:48:00.000-08:002006-09-17T16:12:57.806-07:00Thinner

No, I am not talking about New Year's resolutions (although I have cut back to shed the extra holiday pounds, it's true). I'm talking about resources, or at least I think I am.You see, although you can find many of the same products here that are available in the States, most are a little(bit) different. This difference often manifests itself in substance, that is, things are flimsier, or thinner

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1131927068083017592005-11-13T16:10:00.000-08:002007-08-01T11:00:54.508-07:00Take away the chips

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1131906393712723312005-11-13T11:26:00.000-08:002005-11-13T16:07:16.710-08:00Bonfire night

When you move to another country, you discover all the truisms and beliefs instilled in you by your own country. Take for example my recent visit for a health check by a nurse at the local surgery (clinic; I'll blog about the National Health Service later). I asked about mammograms, as in the US it is recommended that I get one annually. The nurse said that in the UK, an annual mammogram isn't

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1131059430980241632005-11-03T14:39:00.000-08:002006-09-13T19:43:13.646-07:00Getting comfortable

I have drafts of other blogs I plan to write, but I'm not inspired to work on any of them right now. Instead, this is the explanation, and possibly the excuse, for not writing them more frequently.Having never moved internationally before (welllll, I sort of did when I went to study in Germany, but that was for a short period of time with a known ending), I can't say as I know what to expect in

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1128948352961493612005-10-10T08:41:00.000-07:002005-10-10T15:27:03.636-07:00Drive on the left!

The title is taken from the statement my husband always makes when he first gets in the rental car at Heathrow after 11 hours of flying (overnight), a few more hours in the airports, and not having driven in the UK for 6-12 months. It is not a reassuring statement.I am learning to drive here, to no-one's surprise I'm sure. When I tell (US)people that I find it difficult to drive here, they

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1126178033191408562005-09-21T14:13:00.000-07:002006-03-28T14:25:37.616-08:00Psycho metrics

You may think that this blog is about the differences in measuring systems between the UK and the US. And in fact, I plan to include that later in the blog. But the title comes from something else entirely...I had a job interview a couple of weeks ago. Well, sort of. As it turned out, there was no job (the recruiter didn't mention this, but I wasn't surprised.) That in and of itself is not

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1126013143293701712005-09-13T06:24:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.508-07:00Organic Food Festival in Bristol

On September 4th I dragged my husband and took my daughter to the Organic Food Festival in Bristol. Amazing. There were loads of companies, not just showing their food products, but also clothing, bedding, skincare, haircare, and similar products. Most booths were not just showing but selling their products, too. It was almost farmer's market like in some areas where fresh vegetables and meats

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1125829643570517522005-09-03T07:29:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.509-07:00Squash

Following on with my blog on marrows, I thought I would talk about squash. The thing is, if you ask for squash in the UK expecting a vegetable, you're in for a surprise. Squash is a concentrated liquid fruit drink mix that you mix with water, sparkling water, or lemonade (I'll get back to lemonade later). Typical flavors are blackcurrant (practically synonymous with the brand Ribena), orange,

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1124646824319038592005-08-21T10:52:00.000-07:002005-08-21T11:29:55.953-07:00Scents and sensitivity, and the weather?

I am very fond of scents. I wear perfume nearly every day, and have aromatherapy lotions and bodywashes galore, along with several essential oils. It seems to me, however, that folks here are crazy about things scented. So much so that when I tried to find an unscented laundry detergent(washing powder), I was not terribly successful (I think there's one in the local health food store - when I run

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1124212510950227322005-08-16T10:05:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.509-07:00Coinage and Mr. Whippy

I'm not a serious collector of coins, but I do have a small collection of coins that interest me. I saved (in some cases, inadvertently) lots of coins from the European nations now using the euro. Over the years, I found that I had 2 favorite coins. One is the French 10 franc coin, not the 2 color one of later years, but the older, smaller diameter, thicker one. This coin is no longer in

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1123664015257150092005-08-10T01:49:00.000-07:002007-08-01T11:00:54.509-07:00Marrows

There are so many things to say; I'm incessantly composing blogs in my head. But I'll restrict this one to the marrow.The marrow? What the heck is a marrow?, my U.S.-based readers may well ask. And well you may. A marrow is an overgrown courgette. Simple as that.What is a courgette?, they ask in frustration. OK, I'll tell you. A courgette is a zucchini.So the English call the small oblong

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15151368.post-1123278910284744312005-08-05T14:40:00.000-07:002005-08-05T15:52:22.356-07:00Welcome to my other blog!

Welcome all to my other blog, this one relating to my experiences as an American (specifically U.S.) expatriate in Merrye Olde EnglandeTM. I was posting my move information on my other blog, I18n G.A.L., so read there for the initial few posts.The container arrived a week ago Monday, on July 25th. I had been dreading this day. It was scheduled to arrive at the storage place we had contracted with

I18n G.A.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17040530231987051551noreply@blogger.com0