30 THINGS BRITISH PEOPLE SAY AND WHAT WE ACTUALLY MEAN...

30 things British people say and what we mean beautifully illustrated on Pinterest.

A BRITISH LIFE ON PINTEREST...

A British Life board on Pinterest with lots more pins on living a British life.

WHAT THE FAMOUS CARNABY STREET IN LONDON HAS TO OFFER...

Many fashion traditions were broken during the 1960s, especially those in the United Kingdom. But the most famous street of all in London which housed independent fashion boutiques and designers was 'Carnaby Street'.

According to wikipedia, by the 1960's, Carnaby Street proved for followers of both the Mod and hippie styles. Many independent fashion boutiques, and designers such as Mary Quant, Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, Lord John, Merc, Take Six, and Irvine Sellars were located in Carnaby Street as well as various underground music bars such as the Roaring Twenties in the surrounding streets.

With bands such as Small Faces, The Who, and Rolling Stones appearing in the area to work (with the legendary Marquee Club located round the corner in Wardour Street), shop, and socialize, it became one of the coolest destinations associated with the Swinging London of the 1960's.

Harry Fox and Henry Moss opened the first ladies boutique in Carnaby Street called "Lady Jane" in 1966.

The Carnaby Street contingent of Swinging London stormed into North American and international awareness with the April 15, 1966 publication of Time magazine's cover and article that extolled this street's role:

The Carnaby Street website now
Womenswear
Menswear
Children's Fashion
Hair, Health & Beauty
Home & Lifestyle
Accessories
Cafes
Bars
Restaurants
Nightlife
Fitness
Hotels
Newburgh Quarter
Kingly Court

AS BRITISH AS FISH AND CHIPS...

Did you know that according to Wikepedia fish and chips first appeared in the 1860's and by 1910 there were more than 25,000 fish and chip shops across the UK, and by the 1930's there were over 35,000. The National Federation of Fish Friers say that there are now 8,500 fish and chip shops across the UK.

Historic UK site says that the potato is though to have been brought into England from the New World of the 17th century by Sir Walter Raleigh although it is believed that it was the French who invented the fried potato chip.

In 1839 Charles Dickens referred to a 'fried fish warehouse' in his novel, 'Oliver Twist'. The first fish and chip shop is believed to have been in Mossely, Lancashire in the North of England. It was sold from a wooden hut in the market and then later transferred to a permanent shop which had an inscription on its window which said ' this is the first fish and chip shop in the world'.

Towards the latter part of the 19th century and well into the next century, the fish and chip trade expanded satisfying the needs of the growing industrial population of the UK. Then the steam trawler brought fish from all over the North Atlantic, Iceland and Greenland and the steam railways meant the fish was distributed easily around the country.

Apparently in 1931 fish and chips became so essential in the British diet that one shop in Bradford had to employ a doorman to control the queue at busy times. Even the Territorial Army enjoyed it with special catering tents erected at training camps in order to give them fish and chips before battle.

The National Federation of Fish Friers said that in 1999, the British consumed nearly 300 million servings of fish and chips which equates to six servings to every man, woman and child in the country. The British Fish and Chips is by far the nation's favourite take-away.

THE BRITISH LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS...

Discover in this stunning portfolio of award-winning photographs, a celebration of British life in all of its most captivating forms. Interest in photography has never been higher, with high end digital cameras now available to all and sundry as well as expert photographers who regularly document around the world. The British Life Photography Awards exist to celebrate that interest, that expertise and the very best of British reportage, documentary and street photography.

This book collects the winners and celebrates the best of the rest, with hundreds of eye-opening images giving a thought provoking, beautiful and refreshing view of life in the UK today.

Available from Amazon at only £1.29 for hardcover version of it.

DO YOU HAVE ROYAL BLOOD?...

Do you have Royal Blood? Wouldn't you love to know if you or anyone in your family has any royal blood in them.

Well if you go to Ancestry you can soon find out if this is possible. On the Ancestry website it says that according to a new study of unique last names from around the world, moving in or out of the upper class doesn't take just a few generations, it takes centuries.

So, anyone could have royal blood in their family. If you have a unique surname, or even if your last name is Smith, Ancestry can help you find out where your ancestors worked, how well they were educated, and how long they lived - all signs, according to researchers, of their place in the social hierarchy.

#STEPHEN FRY'S GUIDE TO BEING BRITISH....

Stephen Fry who we all think of as being a national treasure has made a short film about Britain.

The video will be on airports free WiFi pages,  but this link from the Telegraph also shows the video,where you will hear Stephen musing on the etiquette of British concerns and how we greet strangers. 

Working with scriptwriter Graham Linehan, Fry and Heathrow filmed the three-minute piece inside a pub, where they touch on some of our most undeniably British attractions, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Scottish Highlands and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch in Wales.

TEN OF #BRITAIN'S CLASSIEST COUNTIES...

According to the very British paper 'The Telegraph' Britain has 20 classiest Counties, and the first ten are-

1.Beautiful Norfolk which we also relate to Sandringham. They say the whole county oozes class, the Norfolk Broads are stunning as ever and the ultra-trendy town of Burnham Market attracts a 'sophisticated' set from London. Even though the famous Noel Coward said that Norfolk is 'very flat', nothing can change the pretty seaside cottages and beach.

2. Gloucestershire which has the beautiful Cotswolds countryside alongside as well as cosmopolitan towns like Cheltenham. Of course you can't forget that Prince Charles lives at Highgrove so if a property goes up for sale in the area it sells immediately. 

3. North Yorkshire - I've been on that train through Yorkshire, it's stunning. Old North Riding in Yorkshire is said to have some of the most distinctive landscapes in Britain. With its rolling moors and majestic ruined abbeys, it's a beautiful place to live. Lonely Planet voted this county as the third best region in the 'WORLD'.

4. Berkshire which is another place I have visited quite recently. I thought it was stunning and reminded me a little of Cambridge but Windsor Castle and Eton College in the county, then it's no wonder it appeals. 

5. Fife in Scotland which they say becomes like Edinburgh-by-the-Sea in the summer. The famous St. Andrews University was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Royal and Ancient Club, is the main attraction. 

6. Dorset, which is somewhere in the UK that I have not been to but is known for its off the beaten track charm with no motorway running through the County. The market towns of Dorchester and Blandford Forum are said to be the true glory of the county.

7. Aberdeenshire in Scotland which is famous for fishing on Royal Deeside or fourball at the Royal Aberdeen Gold Club.

8. Shropshire which is definitely somewhere I have been to. A few times in fact, I love a weekend break in Shropshire. With fab restaurants in Ludlow, which is a Mecca for all true foodies and antique shops a plenty in the town. 

9. Herefordshire which is also referred to as the new Cotswolds. London weekly commuters are in favour of living in this party of the Country, while the Hereford Cathedral School which was founded in 1384, attracts families seeking a good education for their offspring. 

10. Warwickshire which we all know is known as Shakespeare County. What more can I say....

MY NEW BOOK - COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR PAIN...

I am pleased to say that my latest book 'Complimentary & Alternative Therapies for Pain', Your guide to over 50 treatments for Pain Relief, has been published and is now available on Amazon in book format or on Kindle.

Reviews would be greatly appreciated. 

BRITISH PIE WEEK - 2nd - 8th MARCH...

British Pie Week is from the 2nd - 8th March to celebrate the nations love of pies. New research has shown that 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month

To help you decide on which recipe you want to choose from they have developed a free British Pie Week recipe book full of delicious recipes with hints and tips on making the best pie.

Head down to the website and download the free recipe book.  

A CELEBRATION OF BRITISH ENGLISH...

I just could not resist buying this fantastic Collins Quite Brilliant 'A Celebration of British English'.The cute bulldog on the front made me look at it straight away.

As I have previously written we British are an eccentric population with a culture as put in this book as 'suitably, and uniquely, barmy'.

After all as they say we invented 'trainspotting and raves, we love saying please and thnak you to strangers in the street but then shouting at them in football grounds, we taught the world how to write great pop music and also how to make a jolly good cup of tea', so we really are a unique lot.

This book is a celebration of our gems and the people and culture around it, its what they call 'a jubilant celebration of of British English's most wonderful moments.

Enjoy ….