15 Things I Love About Living in the UK - American living in England
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
- I love living in Britain, and in this video I’ll share with you 15 MORE reasons why… as I follow up to my video from two years ago when I told you 6 things I loved about living in the UK. Now, after two more years, I have 15 more reasons… some are important and some are silly, but hopefully they will be thought-provoking and generate some conversation. Let me know your thoughts!
And stick around for more discussions of food, language, travel vlogs and other British fun!
Cheers! XX Dara
Video Links:
6 Reasons I Love Living in the UK from 2021 - • Why I Love Living in t...
My Emotional Moment of Anglophile Bliss in Northumberland - • *EMOTIONAL* Anglophile...
Riding the Steam Railway in Gloucestershire - • Steam Railway Journey ...
Otters Hedgehogs and Puffins Overview - • Otters, Hedgehogs & Pu...
Our Puffin Adventure from 2022 - • Puffin Tour of the Far...
My Otter Sanctuary Visit - • Cute Otters! American...
Somerset Villages and Architecture - • Pretty English Village...
I think the weather in the UK is one of our treasures, never really too cold or too hot ...no earthquakes, monsoons, hurricanes or tsunamis ...😂
And at the same time, a conversation starter at all times of the year.
@@charlesunderwood6334 ...
Most definitely 👍
As I was saying to Ian... even though the Brits complained that the summer was not warm enough, I loved that for the 5 months I was there I could walk around outside every single day. You cannot say that about the weather back here in Texas. With about 80 days of temps in the 40-41 C range, people were pretty much stuck indoors for months!
@MagentaOtterTravels ...daft question, but when it's that hot do you walk dogs or do some owners put some form of protection on their paws?
@@glastonbury4304 that's a good question! I will ask my friends tomorrow because I don't have a dog and I honestly don't know
What a lovely warm tribute to Britishness, Dara! Thanks to you and Ian for highlighting in video some of the best attributes of Britain on your annual sojourn here. Sorry your travel arrangements were affected by the frequent strikes; hopefully, they'll all come to an agreement before you arrive in 2024! Oh...and I'll continue to give 'thank you' waves to drivers who let me through. It's inconceivable that police would nick you for that!! 🚔 Too many crims to collar!
Haha, yes we shall carry on with the polite "mini-wave" to thank drivers for allowing us to pass around them when we are jockeying around parked cars... a constant game one plays on those delightful old narrow British roads ;-)
We are missing Britain already, but busy planning next summer. Ian has been making hotel reservations today for a trip "up North" we are planning with our friends from North Carolina who are returning next year. And my best friend is busy booking flights today too... even though her last name is Glasgow, I don't think I've persuaded her to go as far as Scotland on her first trip to the UK. Cheers, Richard! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Looking forward to more of your great videos of your 2023 residency in Britain. Hoping your friend takes courage and visits her 'namesake' city - it's only four hours on the train from London Euston.
@@RichardWells1 I think she's likely to just visit London and then hang out with us in Cheltenham. It will be fun though!
I have lived in both the UK and the US, and of the two I infinitely prefer the UK, for many reasons.
Where do you live now? I'd love to hear how your reasons are similar or different to mine.
Always always always wave a “thank-you” to other drivers. It makes for a happy drive!
I agree!👋
You're not supposed to beckon another road user to do something like cross the road, but the acknowledgement wave, as shown in the video, is universal
Yes the Thank-you wave for giving way or someone having given way to you is a must, fail to do so is considered bad form !
@@MagentaOtterTravels I did an advanced driving course and courtesy was a marked point. If you did not say thank you, you are not an advanced driver. And the training standard is based on advanced Police driving. Beckoning people through or flashing headlamps is not allowed though as it can be misunderstood.
@@janscott9151 yes, I agree
So nice to hear how much someone likes living in the UK! The waving at other drivers is just saying thank you for stopping for them, or waving back to say you're welcome. Unless they're waving with one finger, then they're not saying thank you!
Haha yes, no one finger waving 🤣
I usually give a wave, or a nod, just as an acknowledgement. Don't bother at night, there's no point!
@@streetkaaccord344 true 🤣
Same thing in Ireland - on a small road, it's still common to just lift a few fingers off the steering wheel in passing - not a wave, but a simple acknowledgement - and especially if they've pulled in to let you past, or been similarly obliging.
And several drivers do the same thing in passing cars on the road where my elderly parents live, if I'm walking along - they don't know me, but they assume I've a local connection to be there, so there's that quick fingers lift as they pass, as a quick Hiya.
Still a very common thing in most towns and the countryside, obviously not in Dublin etc, although it can still happen in a few quieter streets, more local neighbourhoods.
@@vercoda9997 i love that! Very polite!
Waving whist driving to say thankyou is a common courtesy and is ingrained in us from the moment we learn to drive. Long may it continue.😊
Amen, brother!
I live in a small Southern town in Virginia. People always wave you in in traffic.
so glad I was born and lived all my life in England!
Other countries have wonderful things about them too. But England is pretty special!
Here,here!
Don't listen to anyone who says you can't wave or acknowledge another driver. Whilst it is true that Highway Code rule 160 says that you should drive or ride with both hands on the wheel or handlebars where possible, it's a "should" and not "must" rule as the actual law just says you have to be in control of your vehicle at all times. In reality, the police aren't going to come after you because you acknowledged another driver. It's just a wildly over-blown story that got into the newspapers on a slow day because a price comparison site issued some press release, including this bit of nonsense, simply for the publicity.
I think the problem is when people wave people out when it is not safe to do so. Which is different to thanking people.
It would be an impossible “habit” to break!! We all do it and in a way “expect” it if you let someone turn etc and it’s just courtesy for them to wave a hand of thanks 😎
There is one exception here - if that signal or sign is to indicate the presence of a police officer.
Good drivers wave with their hands on the wheel.
Thankyou. 👏You did not say “dessert”. In relation to the sticky toffee pudding. Most Americans really can’t get their heads around the difference. Whether eaten cold or hot, a pudding has usually been made by cooking it …as in rice pudding, jam roly poly pudding, bread and butter pudding. An ice cream served in a dish or a fruit salad cocktail served alone aren’t traditional “puddings”. However, restaurants do usually lump all the “afters” including tarts (also cooked) on the Desserts menu. I loved this Podcast.
I realise UK public transport must appear amazing to someone from Texas. A few years ago I visited my second cousin who lives in Arlington, TX. It holds the dubious record of being the largest US city with zero public transport. She told me the traffic congestion, not unexpectantly, can be horrendous at times.
That is an amazing fact about Arlington! Kind of an awful claim to fame🤣
The truth is, the big busses clog traffic and don't have a lot of people on them in Dallas. For the cost of these buses, you could buy everyone a car. It is not a good use of money.
My number 1 favourite thing about the UK is also visiting during the summer months and seeing all the gardens. I love the historic homes with their amazing landscaping. Then there's the small towns with their flower basket arrangements and the villages where everyone seems to be a keen gardener. It's spring at the moment in Australia and the wisteria in my front yard is blooming, the perfume is fantastic!
Oh wow, I can almost smell your wisteria from here in Texas! Did I tell you already about the Australian restaurant I ate at in London? My jet lagged brain is rubbish at remembering things at the mo...
At risk of being miserable watch out for the seeds they`re quite poisonous
We're so happy for you both, Dara and Ian. It's great to see and spend extended time in places we truly love! We enjoyed hearing some great reasons why. Now, welcome back to Texas. Ya'll.
Thanks Dave and Kathy!
I always love to hear what it's like to live in the UK from a foreigner's perspective. It makes me more aware of things that I usually take for granted, like the flowers in city parks. Thank you for this lovely video 🥰
Aw, cheers for saying that! What part of Britain do you live in?
Our music and our contribution to the arts in general is probably what I am most proud of from my country.
Oh yes Britain has contributed so much in terms of music and literature! 👍💖
Oh right never mind those that gave everything that have given everything and still stand , not politicians by the way..
@@user-wn1dl3kk6r of course you are right,but that’s already a given.
👍🏻
@@user-wn1dl3kk6r please don't go trying to stir up trouble when someone makes a nice comment
I love hearing how you find your experience of the UK. Its easy to take things forgranted when you live in a place, so thanks very much! I still acknowledge drivers who give way, most people do in my local area too anyway!
You have a GREAT username! LOL... Yes, it's ok to give drivers a little thank you wave. It was a misunderstanding by our relative... what you are NOT to do is wave people through intersections or wave them to pass around you from behind. If you want to see a quick driving video with us "playing chicken" and giving courteous waves, check out Tuesday's video here: czcams.com/video/JaUKS8TIOS0/video.html
My wife & I are originally from the NE of England but have lived most of our life on Vancouver Island Canada, we are fortunate to have English pub style restaurants here. Can’t beat a English pub style meal.
i like your personal perception of the UK, and the clarity of your descriptions
Thanks so much! That is very kind of you to say. Whereabouts do you live?
Here in Australia we don't as a rule wave at passing motorists. The exception is when traveling on an outback track, and see the first vehicle approaching you in what has been hours. You not only wave, but often you and the other driver pull over, and exchange information about the track you have driven on so far. This is a common courtesy which can help make the rest of journey safer.
That is very interesting! I've never experienced living in such a sparsely populated place! Thanks for your comment. Cheers! Dara
P.S. I just had a FABULOUS brunch yesterday in London at a famous Australian breakfast place called Granger & Co. So delicious!
fantastic compliments from a American lady much appreciated thankyou !!
I meant it sincerely. Cheers! Dara
Your videos just get better and better, Dara. Heartwarming, congenial and informative. A trifecta of true success!! As I was listening to your lovely narrative, I sensed that you and Ian will be living full time in the UK before too much more time passes. Maybe not next year but perhaps the next. Now, with that said, I'm off to watch your other proffered videos that you recommended. Thank you once again, dear heart!!
You are a sweetheart! Thanks so much for your kind remarks!💖
We cannot stay in the UK for more than 6 months a year... for visa/tax reasons. But it's ok. We skip the long cold dark winter and spend the holidays with our American family and friends 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧.
Cheers! XX Dara
There's never any problem in putting your hand up to say thanks to another driver. I think what you're confusing it with is waving people through: when you have stopped to let someone else go and you wave them on to let them know you have stopped to give them the road (it's a different gesture to putting your hand up to say thanks!). The reason it could be controversial is because the other driver might just look at your signal waving them on and because it could create a bit of a social pressure in their rush to follow your instruction they might not check properly if it is safe to do so (especially if maybe there's a hazard that you, the waver-on, can't see but they should be able to see). So waving other cars on is something that people are taught not to do by driving instructors, and you might fail your driving test for, but everyone does it anyway!
Such as a car overtaking that didn't see the wave.
Thanks for clarifying. I think that's an important distinction. Cheers! Dara
Courtesy on the roads is a particularly British thing. It is actually something that is taught on the Advanced Driving Test - Reg Local did a whole video about courtesy on British roads: czcams.com/video/RGV9EuEfmdU/video.html&ab_channel=RegLocal
Thank you for highlighting the many great things you like about the UK including the pubs and food. I’ve suffered so long from people saying British food is bad (lived in Paris for 6 years and have lived in US for 30) when in fact the food is amazing! True there is bad food here and there but one of the worst meals I ever had was in Paris so it’s true of any country! It’s an outdated sentiment that needs to be eradicated. Thank you for helping!
I agree completely! If you look for it, you can find bad food anywhere. But Britain has certainly come a long way since war rations in World War II! I currently have friends visiting from North Carolina, and they keep banging on about how wonderful the food is here. Not only restaurant food, but food in the grocery stores/ supermarkets! Have you watched any of my grocery shopping videos?
Wow - this video is flying - 4K views already! Congratulations, Dara! ❤🎉 What a great list 👍 I agree with them ALL!!! 🤩 Safe travels home ✈
It's nice that occasionally I give the algorithm something that it approves of! haha
Well Dara , I have just found you, and left two comments on the previous talk you did, as I said before I have a daughter that lives in Louisiana , and I have to say I love to visit her, she always tries to take me to a different place ,so I've been to Dallas, Texas and lots of other places, I love meeting people , that are completely different to me, I'm just a quiet widow, that loves my family, and friends, hope to watch you again x
Very nice to meet you, Janice! You are most welcome here in the Magenta Otter Tribe! We have a lovely community of people who like to discuss Britain. I hope to hear from you again! Cheers! Dara
Thanks for all your videos and hope you had a safe journey home!
Thanks very much! We are safely back in our Texas house. Time to settle in and start working on all those videos I need to edit and publish! LOL
Another great video! I always learn from you! I hope you and Ian have a safe flight!!! 🩷
Thanks so much! I'm glad to be back in our house and have had a good night of sleep. Staying up till 4 AM was very difficult for me! I don't know how some people do it 😉
It was fascinating to hear an Americans views and admiration of English culture and traditions. ❤
Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching and taking the time to leave a couple comments 😉. Cheers! Dara
Absolutely loved this video Dara. Excellent job! Laughed so hard when you talked about knowing quite a bit about sticky toffee pudding 😂. Life has been super busy so haven’t watched your videos in a while but planning to catch up and ‘like’ them as I go 🤩. Love you guys!🥰💐
Lovely to hear from you! I hope your life has been good busy! I don't know if you watched my "Summer of sticky toffee pudding" video, but if you love STP, you would probably enjoy that 😉. Cheers for your comment! Dara
Really enjoy your well made and uplifting videos.
Thank you so much! That really makes my day ☺️
How is it that I am just finding your channel?! I am already a fan! I love hearing about the differences and what you enjoy so much about UK! I am planning a trip for 2024, and these tips are really helpful to hear. I had to subscribe and I will be binge watching your entire video collection! Thanks so much for sharing.
I'm so glad you did find my channel! Welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe! I'm excited about your trip! Where do you plan to go? One of my goals with the channel is to show Americans fabulous places to visit in the UK beyond London, Stonehenge and Bath... so hopefully you are getting some inspiration to explore new places ;-) Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels We are going to spend a week in London, then go to York for a week and finally end at Windsor for a couple of nights. I am very interested in Yorkshire area (some of my ancestors came from this area, so I plan to see those towns - like Whitby, Robin-Hood's-Bay, Scarborough, Pickering, etc.) and then want to end up closer to Heathrow for the return flight. My husband wants to see about a day trip to Stonehenge, so I think we will head to Salisbury if we do that.
In some towns besides cultivated flowers there can also be areas where natural wild flowers are planted and encouraged.
Oh yes, I have seen lots more wildflower fields the last few years in Britain. Just lovely! I'm happy to see the support of the pollinators! 🐝💖
I've been lucky enough to holiday in USA 8 times (from 1990 to 2013) and have enjoyed every minute. But I can well understand why Americans such as Dara & Ian love the UK so much - the weather is actually better, the food is better, attractions are reachable (not 10 hours drive away !) and the culture is our trump card ! Look forward to watching 2024's videos - please come to the East Midlands next year - we have plenty to offer - Try Lincoln and Nottingham - which I don't think you've been to (?) . Best wishes.
I have been to Nottingham a couple times, and even filmed some last time I was there. Just never got around to editing it because it wasn't a long enough visit to warrant a Vlog. We are very anxious to see Lincoln!! 👍
I would likevto thank her for liking us. There's so much said against us from other countries and indeed our own people some eu nationals called us the island and little englanders are said a lot I don't like her other countries xriticise us so much about the empire about how we wanted to cherry pick whilst in the eu all this is a falsehood a d wecwere called arrogant as well the truth is I don't rhink the eu ever sid much for us
I enjoyed your personal perception of the UK, and the clarity of your descriptions
Thanks so much! I'm no expert, but I can share my own story ;-) Cheers for your lovely comment! Dara
You could not be a more polite lady !!
RS. Canada
Why thank you! I've received a lot of nasty comments lately, so I appreciate that! 💖 Cheers! Dara
There is a competition held every year called "Britain in Bloom", then subsections of that. I think Gloucestershire comes under "Heart of England in Bloom". That's why there are so many cities/towns/villages have so many flowers on display.
Yes, I've seen some lovely Britain in Bloom towns! Harrogate comes to mind as well.
I really enjoyed watching this video and it made me smile to see and hear how fond you are of Britain !
just subscribed so I can see more of your video's x
Aww, bless you! Makes my day for you to say that! What part of the UK do you live in?
so nice to get a reply from you Dara :) Despite my user name (it was a characters name in a favourite old TV show), I live in South London, the only one of four siblings who still lives here. I have two sisters who live in Plymouth, Devon so I visit there a lot, especially in the Summer and love to go camping in Cornwall and get out on my bicyle and explore all the tiny villages and coves along the coastline. I have a brother who moved to Dublin over thirty years ago and I have another sister who lives in Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland.. So I also go there quite a lot and have a ticket booked for Xmas.. Been watching some more of your videos, I'm really enjoying them and I'm going to watch the foody ones next ! x
@@scotchharry8879 cheers for that! I have not done too many London videos, because I feel like CZcams is full of Americans doing videos of London! And we spend most of our time wandering about the rest of Britain anyway. I love South Devon, as well as North Devon! We have fun Vlogs of both of those places, as well as several in Cornwall. But I'm dying to get back to Cornwall soon!! Still haven't made it to Ireland, which I want to do as well! Your Christmas trip sounds like it will be wonderful!🇮🇪🎄
What a great video, especially for someone who is planning to visit England in the coming year! E and I enjoyed watching it. I did not know about tax being included, but I sure wish we did that here in the States. And we thought the crochet toppers were so cute and fun! I had never even heard of that and cannot wait to see it in person. You left us on a cliffhanger!
I can't wait for you to see it all in person!!
Your observations are spot on , i love our old cathedrals they are just stunning . 😊
I'm a huge cathedral fan too. I've done videos on Gloucester, Liverpool (2 cathedrals!), Durham and Wells. I invite you to check them out if you are interested. The Durham Cathedral video is one of the prettiest on my channel. And the Wells video had great information shared by my guest narrator who is a theological scholar ;-) Thanks for your comment. Cheers! XX Dara
Dara, I love your architectural point on the different vernacular of building styles and materials that you find as you travel round the UK. It is one thing as British that I love from visiting even different parts of a county where you could find different stone just because geographical variances of quarries through people using what was on their doorstep. It is something that unless you really travel widely to see the variation that is often missed by visitors. Hope you had a trouble free trip back to Texas.
We are safely back in Texas... trying to overcome jetlag and deal with 5 months of maintenance issues in our house! haha
Yes, I totally get what you are saying. For example, in the Cotswolds you'll see Cotswold stone everywhere... but in Moreton it's really orangey and in Painswick it's really white. Like you say, the local quarries make a difference! Thanks for your comment. Cheers! Dara
You wouldn't believe how many times it happens, especially in larger cities, in the US when they are handed a foreign credit card, they swipe it twice or three times, sometimes for the same amount but often for different amounts. So yes, entrusting a stranger in a restaurant with your credit card is definitely a safety issue.
Oh goodness! That is scary!
Love your channel. I'm English but I live in New Zealand. I think your video is really absorbing. Makes me feel a little homesick 😢 I look forward to seeing more of your videos 😊
Oh, bless your little cotton socks! I LOVE reading comments like that! Where in England are you from?
I have started getting more comments from folks in the southern hemisphere and it's interesting to hear how things compare there. Lots of interesting comments on my recent grocery prices and "British sayings" videos from folks down under!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave just a lovely comment! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Hi, I'm from Wigan, near Manchester.
@@johj1344 nice! Have you had a chance to watch my Manchester vlog yet? We loved visiting the city!
That's a lot of likes :) I'm glad you both had more times here again this year. I hope you're also having a good time back is Texas. Take care and thank you for doing your something good in the world everyday.
Oh, thanks so much! We've been back in Texas one day, and are still adjusting. But I'm excited to see a lot of my friends tomorrow! 💖
We are excited to spend the holidays here in the states and spend time with family and friends. But we are also excited to go back to Britain next spring/summer ☀️
Keep spreading the love, and have a good time too.❤
Cheers my friend!💖
What a lovely video Dara. We take so much for granted here. I’d never really thought about the flowers - I guess it rains enough to keep them alive. You like the trains here?????? Wow! We love the trains in Germany! They’re so much more efficient! You’re definitely becoming more British for sure! Cheers 🍻
German and Swiss trains are the best, I agree! So efficient and on time! But I only live in England and the US... and British trains beat the pants off American ones ;-) LOL
Have lived in the UK 25 and never even visited America again after growing up there. I'm content with a lifestyle that's far more meaningful than we had before. Raised three children here and am ever-grateful to have made this choice and that as adults they agree it was the right one. You could say technology is more "backward" but that's no on my list of priorities. I don't miss the competitive nonsense, the guns and violence, the crime, and the lack of appreciation for nature and being together on a regular basis, not just for fraught holidays. To get out on your feet on a regular basis and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings, to eat real food not laced with hormones and chemicals, to appreciate community to the core and look out for the elderly without thinking of that as "charity." Dogs are welcome wherever we go and that's no longer negotiable for me. I love the basics and family and community that are celebrated here in real terms. Everyday happiness.
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm curious where in the UK you live? Sounds more rural than London 😉. I relate to a lot of your points. Cheers! Dara
To be fair, she's talking about Gastro pubs. Being real foodies and not drinkers, she's looking at some quite specific pubs.
We don’t wave at oncoming drivers😀. If someone stops to let you out or through when it’s tight lane, you just show your palms to say thanks and the driver may acknowledge it.
Two passing boats, that’s different.
Cheers!
Waiters in the UK used to take payment cards away to swipe them, but that was decades ago before chip&pin. Nowadays I believe retailers are not even supposed to touch a customer’s card, let alone wander off out of sight with it. As you say, it’s a big fraud risk.
Watch The Real Hustle to see how waiters use skimmers to clone the old magnetic strip cards. Not sure it still works with chip and PIN.
We really need to change our protocols in the states!
Dara, what a great summing up of your likes and loves of living in the UK. So many I recognise...and share. The creations on the post boxes for one. And yes, I acknowledge drivers who are courteous to me on the road- as I would here or anywhere. Pubs, yes, a great concept. I won't mention them al- but will finish with the roses and wisteria around the doorways and house fronts. Jast gorgeous. By the way, we were there in May and they were flowering just perfectly. Safe landing and joyful reunion with family and friends back home. 🩷👌🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿😎
Thanks for your comment Anita! We share a love of a lot of the same British things. Safely back in our Texas house now, and looking forward to seeing my friends tomorrow! 💖
We also share having two 'home countries'! @@MagentaOtterTravels 🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿
The Autumn is my favourite season when all the trees in the countryside are gold and red in colour, also the warmth and cosiness of being nice and snug as a bug in a rug at home in front of the fire.
Bonfire night is also a favourite night of mine in the Autumn.
Yes, I really want to be in Britain for Bonfire Night sometime! Especially since my son Trent has 6 November as his birthday! We have a plan to spend BN in Ottery St Mary when he turns 30. Since we are both big Otter fans, and they do some crazy stuff in OSM that night!
Hi Dara, I agree about the railway strikes - its been a nightmare this year!
Thank goodness there is advance notice given. In Italy we would show up to take a ferry and there would just be none running... that is quite inconvenient!
Loved your Heritage Train videos! 🚂🚂 Loud? Who me?
Wisteria usually flowers in May. The one I have flowers again in July but far fewer flowers. It requires a lot of pruning to keep it under control as it grows rapidly and mine is under a window, however, it is worth the effort for the scent it produces by the front door in Spring.
Next year we arrive 3 May. Hopefully we can see lots of wisteria! 💜
I just discovered your channel, and I really like it.
So I am now subscribed. 🙂
I'm so glad to hear! Welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe! 💖🦦 Cheers! Dara
Great info
No one in UK calls it "waving". You just hold your hand up.
Fair point. It's a very understated "wave" that is really just a few fingers raised from the steering wheel. ;-)
There's never a problem giving a wave to acknowledge another motorist who has given way to you. What is frowned upon is waving another motorist through a gap, or a pedestrian across the road, when there may be a danger you have not seen. You may be inadvertantly putting someone else at risk, and it is for them to assess whether it is safe for them to move or not. Similarly, flashing your headlights is a dangerous practice because in a busy street there may be more than one driver watching you, and you may unwittingly cause someone you hadn't noticed to move when it isn't safe. The recommended course is to stop, and let the other driver decide if it is safe to proceed.
Exactly!
Very sensible and I completely agree. Thanks for your comment! Dara
To quote Robert Burns (never mind the context!)
O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us
Especially when it's flattering of course!
Thanks very much Dara.
That is a great verse to quote! Love it!
Have a safe flight back to Texas. I had a great time in Corpus Christi in 1986, when I was in the Royal Navy. My shipmate got married there on a paddle steamer, with a girl from New York. Such a great day. Last I heard they had settled in Dorset.
That sounds like a fantastic wedding indeed! We are safely back in our house in Texas. Looking forward to seeing lots of our friends tomorrow!
Nice one Dara - always love your unaldulterated enthusiasm for the UK
It is a pretty cool place to live - the only thing that is maybe a disadvantage is when I see vids and maps of places in the US, there is just so much space!! And having trabelled through Europe this year, the same really - roads are just not as clogged up as here.
In Southern Britain particularly, there is always a town or village close by - not many truly wild places. BUT, it's a small price to pay really.
And waving a thanks to other drivers for being considerate - will surely always be a thing. No-one told me not to do it - and I won't be stopping 😃
Have a safe trip back to Texas 👍👍
We are safely back in Texas now, but missing our favourite things about Britain. However, I'll be stocking up on really good Mexican food this week, so that will ease my re-entry to the US! haha
Looking forward to seeing the cliffhanger video!! 😄
When you watch it you and Brian will want to come visit us for sure ;-)
When I learned to dive ( in the 1970's) I was taught to acknowledge courtesy towards other drivers, by waving your left hand such when they give way in a no way situation.
Well, we love having you two here for half the year. Always wave to motorists, it is a small but very necessary curtesy. From your video I see you made it to Sissinghurst just up the road. I toured the Cotswolds recently having noted your favourite villages. I predict your greatest UK treasure is either foot-paths or the NT.
Yes, well done identifying Sissinghurst! I was looking through footage for a clip of oast houses and that was the best I had. Will eventually do my vlogs of all the amazing places we visited in Sussex and Kent... lots to keep me busy this winter! As for the national treasure... you have some very good guesses! Hopefully in a week you can find out if you are correct ;-) Cheers! Dara
The bike messenger thing in London is more down to the fact that traffic in London has been bad for literally centuries. The average speed of traffic in the capital hasn't changed for more the 250 years! So the using bikes is a way to avoid most of the traffic jams and queues, lowering emissions is more of a side effect really.
That makes sense. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment!
As someone who's been told, "manners maketh man" since childhood, it's amusing how your US perspective on being polite is, "it's a cultural tradition"!
As a east end Londoner I grew up in not so pleasant surroundings, but was lucky enough to marry the love of my life whose parents had immigrated to N/America and I ended up working for my wife's father for 3 yrs in and around Seattle & over the boarder on Vancouver Island. It blew my mind on how much space and unending biblical beauty the USA/Canada has and is filled with such good hearted loving people who were so similar to us British in so many ways and yet had such infectious upbeat attitudes I had never experienced from anyone I ever knew in the UK and held my hands up daily to the big fellow in the sky in thanks for the life we had in such a wonderful land. But !! We missed Britain terribly. The is something about our Island/weather/people and humour that is unsurpassed on this planet. From food to medical to taxes/crime and being able to take the piss put of someone who looks/acts different, we really do not appreciate how lucky we are to live here and how much the old world can still offer those now in the new world who want to come here.
Thanks so much for watching me lil vid and leaving such a lovely comment! I'm glad to hear that you found a love of your life... and how nice that her family gave you the opportunity to discover the lovely Pacific Northwest of the USA. I agree that Britain and the states are both lovely, and you can find friendly people in both countries... but the British sense of humour is unique. And I am a big fan of particular foods in both places as well! If you are new to my channel you'll soon discover that I discuss food a LOT! Cheers! Dara
There is a competition called "Britain In Bloom" in which cities, towns and villages compete. They are in size categories and are judged on the flower displays. It is a very valued competition.
The knitting/crochet on street furniture is called yarn bombing. First time seeing your channel, and really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! Welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe... I hope you stick around a while! I am a huge fan of the yarn bombing. So creative! I heard that it started during covid... do you know if you saw it before 2020?
I do love a Britain in Bloom town! First time I remember seeing those signs was in lovely Harrogate ;-) Cheers! Dara
@MagentaOtterTravels Hi Lovely to hear from you. Yarn bombing began about 2002, but became more popular around 2005. It began, they believe, in Texas. Then spread to the UK. I think covid isolation got people knitting more, and of course, the Platinum Jubilee gave people a good excuse to celebrate by decorating pillar boxes, phone booths etc.
@@Boogledigs Texas?! I can't believe it! We certainly don't have red post boxes here, lol 😂
@@MagentaOtterTravels I think they decorated trees. I guess they have them in Texas?🤣
@@Boogledigs interesting! I haven't seen it before, but Texas is a very big place...
I have never heard that we are not supposed to wave at other drivers to say thanks! We always do it!
Ignore that! Keep waving ;-)
oooh you are such a tease! 🤭🤭 really enjoying your content. Hope you'll get chance to visit in North Wales UK, Wales is such a beautiful part of the scenery and culture (although I am English, I've lived in Wales for 29 years now and love it.) hope you're well. x
Yes, we really love Wales, but I have only been able to do videos about South Wales so far. I adore Conwy and Caernarfon (those castles made me fall in love with Wales back in 1985!), but the couple times I've visited there was before I had my CZcams channel. I will get back to film eventually! Thanks so much for your support of my channel! Cheers! Dara
P.S. hopefully now you have paid off the cliffhanger by watching my next video about Britain's number one national treasure 😉
The month of May is when wysteria comes into bloom, usually towards the end of the month. If you grow wysteria then prune it once a year, sometimes a bit severly as it can spread quite rapidly. It always grows back quickly.
I can’t comment on it all but will just say about flowers! When I was young there were 2 inland English towns ( not sure about Scotland,Wales & N.I.) that were famous for floral displays- the one you are living in & Harrogate. Seaside towns of course had them & also touristy places but mostly we were devoid of flowers. Then suddenly it took off and towns seemed to compete with one another. Go back 30 yrs and it was all very drab. It makes such a difference to shopping etc. When I visit Cheltenham it never seems to reach the standards it used to but maybe it’s because we now are spoilt by our own town’s floral displays!! What always cheers me is,as you enter a village or town,the Spring bulbs under and surrounding the town’s signs - that’s pretty new too! & of course only happens in the Spring. It just is so cheerful.
Tell me about those New Zealand marmite! Is it like British marmite, or more like Vegemite? If you watch the video in which we compare Vegemite and marmite, I decided they were very different!
Hi. Just discovered your channel. So Glad to hear that you and your Husband are enjoying The UK. We do have some quirky customs but I`m sure you will get to enjoy most of them in due course. For most part, people are usually very friendly and will always be happy to lend a helping hand. I am from The City of Liverpool, about a Mile from Penny Lane, made famous by The Beatles. Enjoy your stay here as you explore our Beautiful Country 👍💖
Very nice to meet you, Stephen! Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself. You are most welcome in the Magenta Otter Tribe! We have a lot of fun discussing Britain amongst ourselves ;-)
As for Liverpool, we love that city! Last year we spent several days there and I made 6 videos of our stay! How fun to know you live near Penny Lane! If you want to check out my Liverpool series, it is here: czcams.com/play/PLOedWVhYewAV-JmlKXSRa5h4oWUqq21FW.html
Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Many thanks for the Links Dara I will certainly have a look and so glad you got to visit us, there is lots to do and see here. The Building That was once The American consulate is in The city center and it still has The Eagle above the door. Liverpool was sometimes referred to as The Little Confederacy. Safe journey on your Travels Dara 👍💞
Great video
Thanks so much! Dara
Made me smile 😊 so much.
I'm glad to hear ☺️
Hello Dara & Ian. Have a good flight back to Dallas. Sayings, a very popular saying for someone making a fuss, “They are getting their knickers in a twist”, conversely often remarked by saying “They have twisters in a Knick” as a Twist!.
Waving at drivers. Technically, yes, waving to another driver could be classed as dangerous, or careless, that could be illegal. A quick wave of the hand to thank someone for letting you out a junction is not dangerous. It keeps tempers down and more politeness keeps driving safer.
I can't wait to film my favourite British sayings video... but knowing me it will still take me ages to get around to it! I need to do the answer to the cliffhanger video first! LOL
Did you know the American version of "don't get your knickers in a twist" is either "don't get your undies in a bunch" or "don't get your panties in a wad"? So unsavoury! haha
As a retired UK Police Officer I can reassure you that there is absolutely no problem in waving or doing a 'thankyou' gesture to other drivers providing you don't do SO much that it affects your control of the vehicle. 🎉
Thank you very much for your comment! And thank you for your valuable service to the community!🙏
@@MagentaOtterTravels We live in the beautiful Forest of Dean, not too far from the Cotswolds. If you haven't visited yet... you should..and are more than welcome to call by for coffee (or tea of course).
@@RdamplificationUk1 my chiropractor in Cheltenham is a Forester 😉
I do really want to come visit the FOD this summer! We should meet up for a walk in Puzzlewood 👍
@@MagentaOtterTravelsWe live about 3min drive to Puzzlewood! Check in next summer and we can maybe show you around.
@@RdamplificationUk1 nice! 👍
Just minute. We are not 'waving' at oncoming drivers when we let them through on a narrow road. The hand raised from (but still in touch with) the steering wheel is simply a mutual expression of thanks from both sides.
You have a good point. Perhaps "wave" is an overstatement.
I think you are right it's not a wave to say hello it's a quick gesture of thanks, I'm a cyclist and do the same when drivers let me through and as a pedestrian I would do the same when a driver goes out of their way to let me cross.
Despite going down the pan rapidly, still the greatest country in the world.
Don't know why but I love your videos.
That's like a Mr. Darcy back-handed compliment! LOL
I'm just grateful you don't find my voice massively annoying 😏
Thanks for your support! Cheers! Dara
@MagentaOtterTravels
Stumbled across your vids by accident. Love your comparison stuff and your delivery. And you're right, otters are cool.
Have a great day.
Subbed.
I'm a driving instructor and I can tell you that this idea that you are not supposed to wave at other drivers is a myth. I think it's come about because of a missunderstanding over the highway code, which says that you are not allowed to direct traffic and that you shoud keep both hands on the steering wheel as much as possible, I've read some "news" articles that seem to interperet this to mean that waving at other drivers is a contravention of this highway code advice. This is not correct though, I allow and even encourage my learner drivers to acknowledge other drivers who give-up priority to them by giving a quick wave to say thankyou, as long as they can demonstrate they have good control of the steering at all times. They will then do this while on their driving test and it has never even been mentioned by the examiners as being a problem. In short there is nothing wrong with it, as long as you stay in control and don't get distracted.
Thank you for your comment. I 100% agree. It was definitely a misunderstanding. On a related note... have you watched Martin Clunes' TV show "Warren"? If you have a dry/dark British sense of humour and are a driving instructor, you should love it. I do! Cheers! Dara
I live in a rural area where a traditional bus service is not readily available however the government is obliged to provide transport and therefore in my area I have a dial a ride service. The little bus picks me up at my house and takes me where I want to go it brings me back to my house again when I’m done. This service is free if you have a bus pass.
Oh my goodness, that is wonderful! I had no idea!
Just found your channel & enjoying your vlogs.
Ps hedgehogs are my favourite animals.☺️
Awwww, hedgies are so cute! I hope you watch my hedgehogs and otters video ;-) I'm very glad you found my channel. Hope to hear from you again. Welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe! Thanks for your support. Cheers! Dara
5:32 I think this might be Ian’s favorite too. He is so knowledgeable of the architecture. 😊~Cara
Oh yes, Ian definitely gets credit for me becoming interested in architecture as well!
Dara I think the British travel bureau should hire you! We so want to visit the UK for an extended amount of time. Maybe next year you’ll spend 6 months? Wonderful video! Safe travels back to Texas. ~Cara 🌺
Haha, that is sweet of you to say. We like spending 5 months there, but we do need to live in the US for at least 6 months a year for tax reasons. Next year we might only be in Britain for 4 months and then spend a month in Germany. Let's catch up for a chat sometime soon now that I'm back in Texas!
Yes on narrow roads or when you give way to some one and let them in at a junction etc. you exect a wave of thanks/courtesy.
Two suggestions on the subject of food which you may have mentioned in another video. Look out for "carveries" where you get served a choice of at least 3 types of meat and can help yourself to a virtually unlimited choice of vegetables. Another good food choice is Greggs (every decent town has at least two) where they do excellent sausage rolls, doughnuts, pies and other yummy meat snacks
I agree those are both excellent suggestions, especially for those first visiting England! Before Covid, we enjoyed some amazing Sunday carvery lunches! Not had any recently though. I did a video about one of my worst AND best Sunday roast lunches.... you can see that here: czcams.com/video/g-fSQoX1P48/video.html
As for Greggs, I am DYING to do a video of "American trying everything at Greggs"!!! We have 5 couples coming to visit us from the states this summer... one after another... I'm just trying to think of which of these couples I can get to do this video with me!! Ian loves the jam donuts. I love the bacon cheese turnovers.
My Greggs favourite is their Sausage, Beans and Cheese Melt. Whenever i go to visit with my son in the Middle East where he works I am under orders to take with me Greggs Sausage Rolls x2 and Greggs Jam Doughnuts x2 to remind him of "home". If i wanted to be a bit picky i would prefer a bit less jam in their doughnuts because when you bite into them the jam can ooze out LOL
Those post box toppers are cute!!
They are delightful! Such talented and creative people making them!
I've waved a thank you since I started driving (on the road) since 1963, and often get a response/reply too, its only polite, and good manners after all.
Definitely!👍
Hi Dara, hope you have a pleasant trip back to Texas, but judging from that timeline, you'll be here fulltime by the end of the decade!
Because of taxes and visas, I'm afraid my British stays will be about 5 months or so tops. Not more than 6 ;-)
Also, I hope to have grandchildren one day... and they will likely live in the states!
Thank you for that , it’s nice to be liked 😁
Indeed it is! Please check out my #1 favourite thing about Britain tomorrow at 4pm... just finished editing that video ;-) Cheers! Dara
Love knowing the final price before getting to the register!
Yes, it's a rather good idea!
Local architecture is great. Love the Barnack stone towns and villages around East Midlands (Stamford, Oundle, Stilton etc)
Thanks for mentioning those places! We haven't explored that area, but it sounds like fun! We will visit Wensleydale this summer, so I might need to plan a cheese pilgrimage to Stilton as well... and check out lovely Stamford and Oundle whilst there. Cheers! Dara
Lovely video Dara. I am convinced that No. 15, which you regard as a national treasure is in fact the National Trust. Having seen many of your videos where the NT features quite heavily and your enjoyment of their properties, then I will be surprised if it's not NT. Glad you had a good summer and hopefully a good trip back to Texas. Please do this national treasure video very soon. Can't wait to see if I am super clever or an idiot.
You are super clever, no doubt. But alas, you have not guessed correctly. I DO love the National Trust, as well as Historic Houses. And I still have some wonderful vlogs coming up of lovely properties we have visited in recent months... so stay tuned for those. But my "national treasure" video is of ANOTHER fabulous asset in the British Isles. If I can get myself organised enough back here in my Texas house I will get that video published this coming Friday. Thanks so much for your support. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Ah well I'm just an idiot. My wife is right again!
Nice video ❤
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment!🩷
I am Scottish and I love driving through all the lovely little villages.
I'm not good at driving in Scotland... but I love the villages! Just delightful! We are headed back to visit Scotland this summer with some American friends. I'm really looking forward to it! ❤️🏴 Cheers for your comment! XX Dara
Here in the UK, drivers always wave as if to say Thank you, when the other driver gives way to your vehicle in a single lane road or road in which cars are parked along the side of the road making it in essence a one lane road.
Yes, that crazy "dance" between drivers on the one lane roads next to parked cars is always a bit nerve wracking for me!
If no-one else has said it: peak wisteria is late April/early May. It comes after peak magnolia in early April. If you like flowers, can recommend the laburnum arch at Bodnant Gardens in late May/early June.
We went to Bodnant many years ago. Lovely place!
We arrive in England this year on 3 May. Hopefully we will catch some nice wisteria! 💜
waving at drivers is totally fine so long as your not going fast at the time.
Very nice video
Thanks so much, John! I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment! Cheers! Dara
6 months next year, Dara and Ian!
Haha probably 4 months in Britain and 1 month in Germany 🩷
Hi lovely lady got a lovely place to visit Jersey the channel islands lots of history. Have fun
We will make it to Jersey and Guernsey one of these days! Not sure when, but I know they are beautiful places.
The Cotwolds and Stratford- upon-Avon is worth seeing if you haven't already.🇬🇧😊
Aahh, I've just heard you have. 🇬🇧😊
I haven't been back to Stratford in ages... certainly not since having my CZcams channel. But I've done 25 videos about The Cotswolds ;-) Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara