I'M BACK...

Hi, I'm back after a loooooooong break from this blog with what I hope will be lots of interesting articles for you to read, some to make you laugh or cry and others on a more serious matter.

Us Brits have a lot to offer and are a very special race of people so do pop by with your mug of tea or coffee and sit down and enjoy ............

THE VERY BRITISH 'DOWNTON ABBEY'...

The fourth series of the iconic British Drama 'Downton Abbey' returned to our screens on Sunday, the same night as the Emmy's in America.  I was as usual, excited beyond belief, I just adore that programme.

The seasons begins six months after the death of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), killed suddenly in a car crash, leaving his wife Lady Mary in mourning. It is now 1922, and Britain’s post-war boom has abruptly ended.

Love is in abundance with secrecy, longing and fear: whether it be a dilemma for Lady Mary’s sister, Lady Edith, or among servants tenderly and hopefully reading Valentine’s Day cards.

I loved the scene where St. Pancras has a cameo role in it and of course the stunning backdrop of the grounds of Downton.

Downton is a well-performed, beautifully scripted insight into another England. There are fascinating, subtle insights into the impact of class on human relationships.

Its no wonder that we all love it so much.

BRITISH NEW YEAR TRADITIONS....

With New Year upon us the weird things we do in Britain start with the way we let our new year in.
Putting coal on the outside doorstep, and singing aul lang syne will be part of some Britians New Years Eve celebrations.

For years and years we have had the piece of coal, gold and a dark haried member of the family to let the New Year in for good luck. To ensure good luck for the house, the first foot should be male dark and should bring symbolic coal, shortbread, black bun and whisky. This is a typical Hogmany Scottish tradition.

SCOTLAND AND BRTISH MONEY...

Did you know that the use of the thistle a royal symbol of Scotland was on silver coins issued by James 111 in 1470.

Also, economist Adam Smith, who appears on Britain's most used banknote, the £20 note, is the first Scot to be depicted on a British banknote.