A Running Commentary

Traveling through all corners of England in the last few weeks and taking stock:

(+) My ancestor was born in Lincolnshire before migrating to the colonies and becoming governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Many in my family were Tories loyal to the Crown during the American Revolution. Let’s face it; it’s the motherland.

(-) Everything closes, and early, leaving one dependent on cold Tesco sandwiches slathered with chutney.

(+) Driving on the left reintroduces fun, excitement, and palpable danger to driving not felt since carrying a learner’s permit.

(-) Roundabouts are no substitute for the convenience of superhighways.

(+) The Indian food is the best in the world, including what I’ve had in Delhi, Bombay and various other locations in India. If you ever looking for curry along the northern England / Scottish border I highly recommend Cagney’s Tandoori in Penrith (17-18 King St.). Ask for Haque the owner and tell him I sent you.

(-) England is always a bit of a let down, I suppose because the history buff is hoping to catch glimpses of the prim and proper Victorian age. Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill, and “pardon me old boy” and “that’s a clever chap”. The sun never setting on the Union Jack and all of that. America may have her rednecks but I’m not sure that mobs of University students, pissed on drink and shouting in the streets about nothing are any better. Their culture is sarcastic in the extreme. Politicians, celebrities, artists all fly up the popularity charts in split seconds only to come crashing down within months (if not weeks or days). Negativism is cool at first but eventually it just wears you out.