Holidays and absences [2]

Incredible.

I kind of think that there are not talented students taking up the art. You don't see much stone-masonry going on with modern architecture.

But hopefully there are still modern masters carrying on the tradition!

I wonder how much it would cost now-a-days to build such a structure and how that price compares to the historical cost when it was built.

Five days and I'm outta town for a four day weekend.

Where did the concept of 'labor day' come from anyway? You don't do any work on labor day.

Not everyone gets the day off.

Figgy - back now... will give an update on the trip including impressions of everywhere. Only had 2 mins to write last time.

look forward to hearing what you thought. it sounds like you went to some fab places.

Enjoy your long weekend bungo!

halfwise wrote:Where did the concept of 'labor day' come from anyway?  You don't do any work on labor day.  

Same concept and origins as May Day but they moved the date in an attempt to strip out the socialism.

I'm off to Bath today! The Eagles leave this evening from Valinor (they're the only ones who don't mind if I drink Buckie mid flight!)

{{{{{{{{{{{{ which brings me to ask again if Buckie is in fact a real drink that people actually drink?}}}}}}}}}}

I've just been so busy this summer and my laptop gets finnicky when I try to visit here so it's been hard to post! But I'll be around more soon I think! I have some Tolkien trips planned that I'll keep you all updated on!

Have great time Yer Maj and keep us updated- and yes buckie is both real and just as wondrous (dangerous!) as suggested- especially the non Forumshire sort which lacks the crucial 0.000001% Miruvor, nor does the real stuff come in rasberry flavour, so do be careful- and as you are in the soft south that is England you may have to ask for it by the fuller name of Buckfast (Id not bother with the 'Tonic Wine' bit as no one can keep a straight face when saying that anyway)

Have a roaring good time, Tin! Sorry we'll miss you at Oxonmoot. Has anyone clued you in that the beer is served room temperature, but so good it works out fine?

I've heard good things about Bath; should be a fun time. Definitely let us know of any Tolkien stops you make.

PS regarding Buckfast:

Have a great time, Tin.  Enjoy your inside look into English culture.

Just don't by into their culinary habits, (Buckie excepted) there's a reason they're considered some of the worst in the world.

Because of her job my step mom has spent several months (in multi-week chunks) in England over the past year, specifically in Bristol, and she has nothing but praise for their food.  She goes on about how much better it is than food here each time she gets back.

Have fun Tin! Drink lots of buckie!

Thanks everyone!! It's a really beautiful city and there's places to eat everywhere! But the trip over here was horrendous what with the trains being all messed up... But I'm safe and sound and jet lagged!

Have a fun time Tin!

Not had much of a chance to update on my travels as yet. I will do as soon as I can. Possibly on train trip in to London tomorrow.

good. cant wait.

Bluebottle wrote:

Just don't by into their culinary habits, (Buckie excepted) there's a reason they're considered some of the worst in the world.

I would take offense at that, but I'm a terrible cook anyway

I think our reputation for stodgy, greasy heavy food is perhaps justifiable to an extent (and many of the major pub chains, and fast food franchises could probably be described as adequate at best) but the food scene in the UK has undergone a massive overhaul in recent years, go to any major city in the UK, and you are sure to find a huge variety of international foods and great resturants, like all countries I think it mainly depends on how much you are willing to pay, and where in the country you live, though I'd concede that culurally our food isn't perhaps as exciting or heavily seasoned as others.

The predictable traditional British dishes you find in most pubs and restuarunts -fish and chips, shepards pie, sunday roast, hunters chicken etc can either be total crap or brilliant depending on where you go (I have several local pubs, that between them cover all parts of this spectrum), and the same goes for locally brewed beers and ales, but I've never really been a person for pretentious or 'posh' cooking anyway so I tend to stick with what I know.

The thing which annoys me the most about UK resturants and pubs is the pretentious trend that has cropped up recently (in some areas) serving food on anything but plates (I blame Jamie Oliver ):

https://www.facebook.com/WeWantPlates

Thankfully it doesn't seem to be much on an issue round here yet...

I probably overstated a bit. High end British food is as good as any in the world. And even British cuisine, cooked well, can be very good. I was more getting at the reputation of what people eat every day. All the while there are people who make the effort of buying and making good and healthy food, of course. (The whole food and celebrity chef boom does seem to have really helped there.)

So, obviously you can eat well and healthy in England. It's just not always what people do.

still waiting Lance.

I've been spamming a bit, as I'll probably be gone for a fair bit of the weekend. Anyway.. err.. enjoy.. and see you all in not too long.

Pleasure or work Blue ? Either way, enjoy your break