tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post3656215734095638364..comments2024-01-19T22:42:41.602+00:00Comments on Gidday from the UK: Sleeps To Go...On A Small IslandAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-10333784331698746252011-07-15T20:35:12.059+01:002011-07-15T20:35:12.059+01:00Mum sent me this email in response to this post - ...Mum sent me this email in response to this post - with her permission I am posting it to share!<br />------------------------<br />As a visitor just twice to your small island, here is my input.<br /> <br />The 5 things that initially surprised and pleased me were:<br /><br />- Cleanliness - I had always envisaged soot and grime and smoke around the myriad of chimneys in London. As an old city, I didn't expect the constant cleaning of the streets and the wonderful "scrubbed" facades of the beautiful old buildings. Even the subway was cleaner than I expected.<br /><br />- History - I had an understanding of London being one of history's stalwart cities, but I was unprepaid for the absolute mecca that I discovered. Being able to visit quite easily those places depicted in school history books and novels was at times so "unreal" that I thought I might disappear down the rabbit hole at any minute <br /><br />- Scenery - I didn't expect the green fields and the flowers and the little pockets of scenic delight as I travelled around the city. My expectation was that it would be old, grey and constantly raining<br /><br />- Sunshine - Having lived all my life in the year-round sunshine until I arrived in Melbourne, and then only having a short period of Winter, I had no idea how lucky I'd been. Watching the joy of Londoners as they tried to gather rays from the intermittent flashes of not-so-warm sunshine, I really "got" their genuine enjoyment.<br /><br />- Public Transport - Although the locals may not agree, I think the public transport system is one of the best. As a visitor, I had very little difficulty in crossing London in many different directions. Stations and bus stops were well mapped and then the locals always pointed me in the right direction.<br /><br />On the thumbs down side, what struck me was:<br /><br />- Almost total lack of good customer service (this requires comments enough to fill a book)<br />- The queues - everybody queues for everything and nobody seems to care that it takes forever. This is probably an off-shoot of the lack of customer service<br /><br />While I found Londoners wonderful if I required help - and I asked for it, I found it strange that if I greeted commuters or passers by, I seemed to be looked on as a bit of a nuisance, or disturbing their thoughts. I got the "just who are you?" look most of the time<br /> <br />Cheers<br />MumAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-80069244104190174402011-07-15T20:32:14.244+01:002011-07-15T20:32:14.244+01:00Aaah Charlie...the Lake District. The twee-ness o...Aaah Charlie...the Lake District. The twee-ness of English countryside roughed up by the ruggedness of Scotland. Bless!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-50039914367728017732011-07-13T13:05:22.467+01:002011-07-13T13:05:22.467+01:00The Lake District, for me. Despite the almost cons...The Lake District, for me. Despite the almost constant rain, the relatively unspoilt countryside always gets me. That and the sarcasm, of course.Charlie Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11210253827591256777noreply@blogger.com