The U.K. is not like Italy

Casdon

nanna8

I agree, too. The far right and the far left are both dreadful but only the far right are called out. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

What is the far left doing which would justify being called out though nanna8? It seems remarkably ineffective to me, there isn’t really a solid movement in the UK.

I never know who is being referred to when the 'far left' is mentioned either.

nanna8

I agree, too. The far right and the far left are both dreadful but only the far right are called out. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

What is the far left doing which would justify being called out though nanna8? It seems remarkably ineffective to me, there isn’t really a solid movement in the UK.

4allweknow

Ilovecheese. Wonder if David Beckham will move. He has just been classed as a billionaire.

David Beckham must move regularly; he has luxury homes all over the world and a superyacht.

Having moved back after 20 years in France, I particularly appreciate; the variety of cuisine (including cheese). The freshness of salads and vegetables. The kindness, helpfulness and friendliness of people in shops and services. The beautiful buildings, parks and gardens, in the garden of England.

I only just discovered that Elsinore is a real place on the coast in Denmark😄

I agree, too. The far right and the far left are both dreadful but only the far right are called out. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Galaxy

Er for the last few years we have been told that this country is responsible for every ill in the world, we have been told that institutions were institutionally racist, etc etc. It wasn't the 'far right' who started this.

This is so true, it was the hair shirt brigade who began it.
We must forget all that nonsense and just put right all the things we see now in our country that must be improved.

There needs to be more effort at “levelling up” in this country, which is still very “London-centric” and always will be until successive governments start to see beyond Watford Gap. HS2 was supposed to lead to an increase in prosperity in the Northern Counties but what a fiasco that is. I am very proud of this country and everything it stands for in the world, but while it continues to be two countries in terms of wealth and opportunity, it will never be great again. I am sure there are people in Italy who feel exactly the same about their country.

Everyone knows about ‘whinging poms’ but it is kind of accepted with a wry 🤷‍♀️ shrug. Really, most are not in my experience but the ones who are are loud and ,well, complaining.

I do wish we were not a nation of complainers. We are so negative.

Yes the world is in recession, and yes we can no longer afford to have the easy ride that borrowing gave us in the last 30 years.

But time that our young folks stopped thinking that the politicians can fix things on their own.

I think that Reform do not want to win the Makerfield by election - they want Labour to win so that a leadership challenge will throw the govt into disarray. That selfish Burnham is not in it for them, for us but only for himself.

patty47

Food in the UK is good in places but in my opinion Italian food is superior because of the very high quality of the ingredients particularly fruit, vegetables and cheese.

UK food is fine, Italian food is spectacular.

Food in the UK is good in places but in my opinion Italian food is superior because of the very high quality of the ingredients particularly fruit, vegetables and cheese.

Ilovecheese. Wonder if David Beckham will move. He has just been classed as a billionaire.

I've been to Venice twice.
I've no idea why, but I kept thinking "See Venice and die", so I was relieved to still be alive a week or so later!

For Chocolate, yes, Venice IS lovely. However, it's sinking, and you need to take a torch if you walk round from dusk onwards.

PLUS --- lovely as it is, it stinks in the warmer months. Sorry. That water is a big part of the attraction, but also causes an issue!

I’ve had lamb fed on seaweed it was gorgeous, you can also eat lamb that have been grazed near heather it’s also delicious.

I'm with you nanna8. Venice is truly one of the most beautiful places created by man/ woman.

Once upon a time, I thought I could never love another country more than Italy, everything about it seemed amplified in the most wonderful way, the scenery, the history, the food most of all the language, it has a musicality about it. To my ears many languages are quite ugly. Not Latin languages though, I've always thought of them as the most beautiful, well they aren't known as the Romance languages for nothing. Italian simply the most beautiful of all.

Having said that, I think quite recently I fell back in love with England, I'm not sure I fell out of love with it, more a question of taking it for granted and possibly not always appreciating just how much it has to offer. Aside from having a world class city as our capital. Wonderful museums, art galleries and parks, I appreciated the latter when I came back from NY the first time, being quite underwhelmed by theirs. Last week we met up with husband's granddaugher, over from NY with husband and baby, my o/h's first great grandchild, they are hoping to come back to London soonish, she doesn't have have a good word to say about the US, much she puts down to Trump, very expensive and she feels it lacks the cohesion that England has and particularly feels that it's not a good place to be right now with an Indian husband.

I also love our countryside, we were in the Cotswolds where we met up with the family last week for a few days. This week we are down in Dorset, two of my favourite places, especially the beaches, although I admit, as wonderful as they are, possibly trounced by some of the spectacular ones of Wales and those of Northumberland .

Talking an about innovation in the NHS, has anyone read about the artificial pancreas being rolled out for people with type1 diabetes?

I also wonder if it could help those suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Well done all those scientists and technicians in the U.K.!

JaneJudge

There are some beautiful villages, towns, cities outside of London - rich in arts and culture too (and with amazing food)

One of my former work colleagues in Norway thinks that the UK, specifically London and The Cotswolds are so fascinating and lovely, she said she'd like to retire here!

Norwegian TV frequently airs British TV programmes and she's an avid viewer.

Also, the wife of another former colleague - Polish, used to bring her daughter to my house to watch BBC Children's TV before they set up home and got their own TV.

My Norwegian doctor sang the praises of the NHS and said we had some of the most talented and innovative procedures - and consultants - anywhere in the world!

... and that's very nice to hear!

Venice is one of the best cities I have visited, ever. The art, the food, the atmosphere. I just fervently wish it was nearer Melbourne!

Rule Britannia?
🇬🇧👍

Where are you thinking of Oreo? I’ve been to Italy quite a few times, and I don’t remember that, the apartment blocks are low rise on the whole, there are definitely less high rises than here. There aren’t any on the Amalfi coast that I can remember seeing, even the hotels are mainly low key, privately owned ones.

Jaberwok

That's where you are wrong Whitewavemark2, It maybe so on here, but not everyone is an intellectual with several degrees and an inflated opinion of their own intellectual prowess. We too have opinions, sometimes even valid ones!!

I have no issue with the Eurovision Song Contest. Millions of people absolutely love it. I have no feelings one way or another, it just seems a little bit of fun that rolls around every year, but I really don’t think it is terribly serious in the scheme of things. In fact to treat it seriously would completely ruin it I think.

Don’t forget that Italian cities often have mile after mile of downtrodden and dispiriting high rise blocks for the less well off citizens.
The language is lovely tho imo.
You can’t beat British cheeses or wonderful countryside.