tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45973132340925742852024-03-13T06:31:38.335+00:00Quintessentially English | Expat Lifestyle and Travel BlogErin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-56316236268999005172016-06-09T17:40:00.000+01:002016-06-09T17:40:07.957+01:00An Expat's Anniversary<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
First let me preface this by saying no you are not seeing things, this IS my first blog post in nearly two years. However, this post does not herald the return of Quintessentially English. Rather, it is a special exception as today is a special day. </div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">After my alarm went off this morning, and before I dragged myself from bed, I was scrolling through my Facebook timeline, a ritual I do after waking up most days. I had the standard "You have memories to look back on.." notification, which I usually review but rarely comment on. However, one of today's memories made me pause. For today is quite a special day, as without realising I have been living in England for 6 years!</span><br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl6iQBkrb55ljIhoZZzWcBtTX9R4AS2tjpGjisH0DNiHAxHRHhzjHEo2o29n_2Mv7AwYd80DCYvT7rsWQFzXj_r1fvmCf93jgajfRrJ7NHONPbBE3vk6E1oYFvZ-SP1-7P91RwPyrzb1n/s1600/Facebook_Memory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl6iQBkrb55ljIhoZZzWcBtTX9R4AS2tjpGjisH0DNiHAxHRHhzjHEo2o29n_2Mv7AwYd80DCYvT7rsWQFzXj_r1fvmCf93jgajfRrJ7NHONPbBE3vk6E1oYFvZ-SP1-7P91RwPyrzb1n/s1600/Facebook_Memory.png" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_2087251002"></span><span id="goog_2087251003"></span><br />
<br />
Which means....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
Happy Six Year Expat Anniversary to Me!</h2>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I first moved across the pond, I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself in for. I'd not really planned anything other than getting on the plane. My only real certainty was on the other side would be the man I loved and who loved me.</div>
<i><br /></i>
Looking back, it's crazy to think about everything that's changed since then. These six years have been an incredible journey, some of which I've shared with my readers, but some of the highlights are;<br />
<br />
<b>1. I've gotten married</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvba_xzo5y8Zwcscq9ZMr5COMLgwH5jabnZNUVp0oErZBc4VSdYJ2ir062gZ30Lsh1d3IRazwPZ3963oqQDhj57sxOA0qwENRwtXrF6Agp1LpCBvaHXgmVnhY3kKDRHjjqQVTGpKgCsSSd/s1600/180004_624228873408_1692166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Kiss" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvba_xzo5y8Zwcscq9ZMr5COMLgwH5jabnZNUVp0oErZBc4VSdYJ2ir062gZ30Lsh1d3IRazwPZ3963oqQDhj57sxOA0qwENRwtXrF6Agp1LpCBvaHXgmVnhY3kKDRHjjqQVTGpKgCsSSd/s400/180004_624228873408_1692166_n.jpg" title="First Kiss" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>2. Lived in 7 different locations, albeit some only for short periods of time</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>In Manchester while Luke finished his degree</li>
<li>With the in-laws in Southam, just after Luke gradutated</li>
<li>In Worcester after Luke found a job there</li>
<li>With the other in-laws in a village outside Milton Keynes when I found a job here</li>
<li>In Milton Keynes when we both found jobs here</li>
<li>In a different village outside Milton Keynes when we bought our first house</li>
<li>In the same village as the other in-laws after we sold our first house and bought a new one</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>3. Bought 2 homes</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFlHNXMUL8qymQSnebBFnvvgQ1NC7zWIUPcsBv7KFfYXWZBaI__bKWCMYdq_4RZPtc1gnMusEb1RUhuBcr7S1lV7aGtW-DFUAuknjILri3m2my7TEjWKF4JqK0dayV9JtezNAmnyopWwC/s1600/12032211_10100791380274618_3282932487931345941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Our First Home" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFlHNXMUL8qymQSnebBFnvvgQ1NC7zWIUPcsBv7KFfYXWZBaI__bKWCMYdq_4RZPtc1gnMusEb1RUhuBcr7S1lV7aGtW-DFUAuknjILri3m2my7TEjWKF4JqK0dayV9JtezNAmnyopWwC/s400/12032211_10100791380274618_3282932487931345941_n.jpg" title="Our First Home" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>4. Made a successful career for myself</b><br />
I've just started a new job as Head of Digital Marketing for <a href="http://www.ungagged.com/" target="_blank">UnGagged</a> - an SEO/digital marketing conference company<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>5. Become a mum to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hugothespringer/" target="_blank">Hugo the Springer Spaniel</a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ECw7WO50Wl5BrWGR-V7FsozgJN95alsZg1yT9SjmBdGn4uwyF-17Oxe7-0Qj-pmL4-urt5isdNI6HpBYy4fb9ANJX7v_39PwAlpKCGMBWkqinZfy0qzlmBDEk4Yy3cI5EER-qHbZicn9/s1600/10359135_10101510916987655_4483926015022224225_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hugo the Springer" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ECw7WO50Wl5BrWGR-V7FsozgJN95alsZg1yT9SjmBdGn4uwyF-17Oxe7-0Qj-pmL4-urt5isdNI6HpBYy4fb9ANJX7v_39PwAlpKCGMBWkqinZfy0qzlmBDEk4Yy3cI5EER-qHbZicn9/s400/10359135_10101510916987655_4483926015022224225_o.jpg" title="Hugo the Springer" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>6. Had my accent morph into a transatlantic confusion</b><br />
People have asked me if I'm American (yep), British and oddly enough one I get often is Irish.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>7. Learned to drive on the wrong side of the road</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrh3CRPreFfB32wBudpM8KIfaZVYI7CcRmpRm5O8keuORG5KVggGNn3gii-0aUxylnYsERgsYYeyouJoOfDhsjjQaJkTeqbY11mctti_XSt7tdgRmQpkTuDq7QrDxf9F9xEvkNOxXVGDl/s1600/2014-12-11+14.28.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Driving on the Left" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrh3CRPreFfB32wBudpM8KIfaZVYI7CcRmpRm5O8keuORG5KVggGNn3gii-0aUxylnYsERgsYYeyouJoOfDhsjjQaJkTeqbY11mctti_XSt7tdgRmQpkTuDq7QrDxf9F9xEvkNOxXVGDl/s400/2014-12-11+14.28.28.jpg" title="Driving on the Left" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b>8. Made some fantastic friendships</b><br />
Thanks to all who have been along for the ride on both sides of the pond.<br />
<br />
Lastly, I would like to dedicate this post to Luke. He's the whole reason I came to England in the first place. Words cannot really describe what he means to me. He is my best friend, partner-in-crime, sounding boardAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153004759300803419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-44268299687981652222014-09-26T13:19:00.000+01:002014-09-26T13:19:21.681+01:007 Lies "Friends" Told Me About England<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As hard as it is to believe, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of <i>Friends </i>this year<i>. </i>To this day I watch the series on repeat, thanks to my DVD collection, and I can still remember crying over the phone to my best friend as we watched the series finale together. It's been ten years since Rachel got off the plane, which is equally hard to believe!</div>
<br />
What does all this have to do with my life as an expat and England? Well I'm getting to that. Not only has it been ten years since the series finale of <i>Friends</i>, it has also been ten years since <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback-london-2004.html" target="_blank">my first trip to London</a> which I talked about in my first <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Travel%20Throwback" target="_blank">travel throwback</a> post. What I neglected to share was one of the reasons why I went to London in the first place was because of <i>Friends</i>. <br />
<br />
It was a few months before my sixteenth birthday and I was watching one of my favourite episodes of <i>Friends</i>, "The One With Ross's Wedding". You know the one when the whole gang, apart from a very pregnant Phoebe, go off to London to watch Ross get married. My mom wanted to do something special for my birthday and asked me what I would like to do. I blurted out that what I would really like to do is go to London. If you read my travel throwback post, you'll know that's exactly what we ended up doing.<br />
<br />
A few weeks back I was watching "The One With Ross's Wedding" again and picked up on several lies that the <i>Friends </i>gang told me about England. It's time to set the record straight..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1. Everywhere in England is London.
</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In an earlier episode, Emily's uncle says, "She's from London, well Shropshire really, but you know.." No I don't know. Can you please explain to me how Shropshire = London?<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCrVoZy-W2TOdIe1wkdbVinO87MDDbqppT0gIYVJy3pCD8DMI8jgZPC3OJMRp6DMMqizvQof8A31WzRZbq-Db1rYLm18-MeZac_wmQlZBMOWDXjxqihvkLc-ZFjjUwB_H0LqL_IpNXArr/s1600/How-Americans-View-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How Most Americans View England" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCrVoZy-W2TOdIe1wkdbVinO87MDDbqppT0gIYVJy3pCD8DMI8jgZPC3OJMRp6DMMqizvQof8A31WzRZbq-Db1rYLm18-MeZac_wmQlZBMOWDXjxqihvkLc-ZFjjUwB_H0LqL_IpNXArr/s1600/How-Americans-View-England.jpg" height="368" title="How Most Americans View England" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MrRandomSilly/status/512636326953246720/photo/1" target="_blank">@MrRandomSilly</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
To be fair I'm pretty sure most of my family still think I live in London </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2. All Londoners wear Union Jack hats.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sir Richard Branson lied to us, all Londoners do not walk along covered in the Union Jack. In fact, unlike Americans, you'll be hard-pressed to find many English people covered in their flag unless it's the World Cup or something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4HVcNwyWc_UnIQnCuMRyIkGRRVGaOju2MIub1ATjJESpWzgN5feqvVCLNyNNuWSJuI680rVbnQXr4rPRjhPa-TLllU4hj7MEhLb3EqZm_YIiSC_SfQdOCfFAKtxfUfEw7N3udVOs8RoB/s1600/Richard-Branson-Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Richard Branson as The Vendor on Friends" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4HVcNwyWc_UnIQnCuMRyIkGRRVGaOju2MIub1ATjJESpWzgN5feqvVCLNyNNuWSJuI680rVbnQXr4rPRjhPa-TLllU4hj7MEhLb3EqZm_YIiSC_SfQdOCfFAKtxfUfEw7N3udVOs8RoB/s1600/Richard-Branson-Friends.jpg" title="Richard Branson as The Vendor on Friends - The One With Ross's Wedding" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">R<span style="font-family: inherit;">ichard Branson as The Vendor | </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/+RichardBranson/posts/AennmW8Q7s7">© Warner Bros.</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3. You will meet royalty on the street.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Not once in my <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/turning-english.html" target="_blank">four years of living in England</a> have I ever just casually met a royal à la Joey's chance encounter with Fergie.The closest I ever got was seeing the Archbishop of Canterbury going into Westminster Abbey to deliver a service to the Queen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wcEEs7rF-eW53YA-WIIPXduoox_9LoQbec11pgR5ZTg7r2jABFB-xCaXopvvKhbrcU6mXFhsr9bIl1XlVb-muHVm6MDQleAm8V9YUZWF8gL2usGSYZrOhxnxTa5-2B9ggJRy-MSWaBnX/s1600/Matt-LeBlanc-Sarah-Ferguson-Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) on Friends" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wcEEs7rF-eW53YA-WIIPXduoox_9LoQbec11pgR5ZTg7r2jABFB-xCaXopvvKhbrcU6mXFhsr9bIl1XlVb-muHVm6MDQleAm8V9YUZWF8gL2usGSYZrOhxnxTa5-2B9ggJRy-MSWaBnX/s1600/Matt-LeBlanc-Sarah-Ferguson-Friends.jpg" title="Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) on Friends - The One With Ross's Wedding" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) | <a href="http://www.linternaute.com/cinema/film/6076/friends/photo/14/">© Warner Bros.</a> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4. Everyone has live-in housekeepers.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Friends</i> isn't the only perpetrator of this lie.<b> </b>Remember Martin from the 1998 adaptation of <i>The Parent Trap? </i>Sadly, not everyone in England has a live-in housekeeper, but it is a nice allusion.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcV5NLY94O0l-yqK4IU164g-goJJXc5rmGDYbDgrabR1WsoJReR5UJ31zlczuAqxUctoBmyD8ihaYTcVpOzKCskLhT_hmRoRi_sAI1H6Caf5m7z77k7Ctd0fng_qtHPj2NvuIxZXKrGPU/s1600/June-Whitfield-Friends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="June Whitfield as The Housekeeper on Friends" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcV5NLY94O0l-yqK4IU164g-goJJXc5rmGDYbDgrabR1WsoJReR5UJ31zlczuAqxUctoBmyD8ihaYTcVpOzKCskLhT_hmRoRi_sAI1H6Caf5m7z77k7Ctd0fng_qtHPj2NvuIxZXKrGPU/s1600/June-Whitfield-Friends.JPG" title="June Whitfield as The Housekeeper on Friends - The One With Ross's Wedding" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">June Whitfield as The Housekeeper | <a href="http://theonewithallthesnark.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/tow-rosss-wedding.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© Warner Bros. </span></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>5. Phone etiquette is very important.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've never been hung up on and asked to call back with the proper phone etiquette. Perhaps my etiquette is too impeccable to fault. However, I think it's more likely that people don't take phone etiquette quite so seriously as the snooty housekeeper.</div>
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aRLXxbE0i9Q?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></center>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>6. Everyone has a posh accent.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Living in England you will quickly learn that not everyone speaks like the Queen. Shows like <i>Friends</i> often use English actors who have a standard or posh accent as they are easier to understand for us Americans. However, the variety of accents in this country is unbelievable! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0lUnKAnnEsI?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></center>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just listen to my hubby, when he says "beer can" it sounds like he's saying "bacon" in a Jamaican accent.<b> </b></div>
<br />
<b>7. The English will give advice to strangers on their life.</b><br />
While many Americans will happily chat to complete strangers about their life and the issues they are facing. This is every Englishman's worst nightmare. The Gentleman On The Plane, played by Hugh Laurie, would never have told Rachel his thoughts on her life... ever.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiFQANHt5bvG7OvKME9hnwLHSnIhyZkf5njpoKE4GxVvIWqMQcEi1NUoAIlc_FHVJ7-hUX3kDtQcddB3Mss9vJRTZSlIu5ctoWQ2PpfAbuB3OKzYjzBQg4t11FVi58QZZqnIrttSiHr_0/s1600/Hugh-Laurie-Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hugh Laurie as The Gentleman On The Plane on Friends" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiFQANHt5bvG7OvKME9hnwLHSnIhyZkf5njpoKE4GxVvIWqMQcEi1NUoAIlc_FHVJ7-hUX3kDtQcddB3Mss9vJRTZSlIu5ctoWQ2PpfAbuB3OKzYjzBQg4t11FVi58QZZqnIrttSiHr_0/s1600/Hugh-Laurie-Friends.jpg" title="Hugh Laurie as The Gentleman On The Plane on Friends - The One With Ross's Wedding" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hugh Laurie as The Gentleman On The Plane |</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/174514554281030298/" target="_blank">© Warner Bros.</a> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In closing, although "The One With Ross's Wedding" may have gotten a few things wrong, it remains one of the most iconic <i>Friends </i>episodes of all time! Happy 20th Anniversary <i>Friends!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> What is your favourite <b>Friends</b> episode?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Erin x</b></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<br />
<i> </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153004759300803419noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-37040716514038735992014-09-12T13:13:00.000+01:002014-09-12T13:20:17.860+01:00How to Make Damson Gin<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's September and in England there is a slight chill in the morning air that can only mean one thing, autumn is coming! <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/pocketful-of-sunshine.html" target="_blank">Autumn is one of my favourite times of year</a>. In America, it means Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Halloween festivities and <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/as-time-goes-by-happy-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving</a>. In England, it means knitwear, Bonfire Night and some fantastic seasonal food. Coming into season in September are <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/pocketful-of-sunshine.html" target="_blank">figs</a>, beetroot, apples and damsons - to name a few.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before moving to England, I had never tried a damson in my life. I don't think I'd even heard of one. So for those of you who don't know about damsons, they are a small fruit similar to a plum. I actually thought they were a type of plum but have since discovered they are a member of the rose family. They have a juicy texture similar to a plum but are slightly tarter. Damsons are typically not eaten raw but instead are used in chutneys, jams and a variety of desserts. However, my favourite use for damsons is in gin!<br />
<br />
I tried damson gin for the first time last year from a batch made from
Luke's aunt's damson tree and loved it. Imagine my joy when I discovered
in our new house we have not one but two damson trees in the back
garden. A few weeks ago we were overwhelmed with damsons from our tree, so we used the opportunity to make several bottles of damson gin. It was such fun that I decided to share the recipe, so that you too can take part in this quintessentially English tradition! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhOp3l-DMp8/VBGib9fExMI/AAAAAAAAC3U/1udnWoHbHyE/s1600/Damson-Gin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to make Damson Gin" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhOp3l-DMp8/VBGib9fExMI/AAAAAAAAC3U/1udnWoHbHyE/s1600/Damson-Gin.jpg" title="How to make Damson Gin" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I'm so excited to try our homemade damson gin! It should be perfect in time for the holiday season. A small glass of damson gin goes perfect with a cheese, especially a nice mature cheddar. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Have you ever made any treats using damsons? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leave a comment below and don't forget to follow </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quintessentially English on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/essentiallyenglish" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/essentialerin" target="_blank">Twitter</a>!</div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x </span></b></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-68726277363833860432014-09-05T11:30:00.000+01:002017-07-20T13:17:46.980+01:00Travel Throwback #4: Brussels<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let me start this <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Travel%20Throwback" target="_blank">travel throwback</a> by saying there is no doubt in my mind that Brussels, or <i>Bruxelles</i> in French, is the most confusing city to navigate in the whole of Europe. I can only assume that the Belgians designed their capital in the hopes that any foreigners who managed to invade their borders would not be able to escape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW4dSeoiZZJ3HP7mYsSq8MvJMQtbIdOnt19Pag_JZSJNrdt-zZ33_mE00lBOY7u_AuvVZ-ZFN8bWaNxZgil_1NaU0kn2W2xPDJy5EWp36aIdUvH3ocGLFZSZMFtiim4L2OmLdUWRK4bAP/s1600/World-Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW4dSeoiZZJ3HP7mYsSq8MvJMQtbIdOnt19Pag_JZSJNrdt-zZ33_mE00lBOY7u_AuvVZ-ZFN8bWaNxZgil_1NaU0kn2W2xPDJy5EWp36aIdUvH3ocGLFZSZMFtiim4L2OmLdUWRK4bAP/s1600/World-Map.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"...but sometimes you are." - me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I took a day trip to Brussels in February 2009 and can safely estimate I spent 70% of that time lost. Between my travel companions and I, we had five maps and were still unable to find our hostel. We wandered the streets asking shopkeepers and passers by. The locals gave such different directions it seemed they didn't even understand their own city. A local guy confirmed this theory later when he said he had lived in Brussels his whole life and still got lost. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a taxi driver told us the hostel was too close and not worth the fare, I decided it was time for some official help. I found a police station and cried <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="st">«</span></i></span></span> <i>Je suis perdue</i> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="st">»</span></i></span></span> (I am lost) to the countless policemen standing around and before explaining in French about our desperate attempts to find the hostel. Next thing I know the bags are loaded into the boot of the police car, we're in the back seat and being driven to our hostel. Why pay for a taxi when you have the police?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbp-Wzx9nsyUGAy7uCHT000dClCJljCtJXV5i62BO_7w6TNbhDpb8BYRiqX0irAUPzSdGLD_GRL_0t1spNl2DKPI6-0yzycYncZZdiSeIfSBsOSSypMRM4alnSjqB0AhwlbePDgetHmoW/s1600/Grand-Place_Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grand Place in Brussels,Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbp-Wzx9nsyUGAy7uCHT000dClCJljCtJXV5i62BO_7w6TNbhDpb8BYRiqX0irAUPzSdGLD_GRL_0t1spNl2DKPI6-0yzycYncZZdiSeIfSBsOSSypMRM4alnSjqB0AhwlbePDgetHmoW/s1600/Grand-Place_Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Grand Place in Brussels,Belgium" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most important tourist destination in Brussels - Grand Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw5JTD-LQpDTA1rLsHCV0ElYOkS1ThyphenhyphenxT0tXVJ3mm_Q80gVYK37sZw4CbfZBVZ7ysTyxe5V6cNbT0XeOjEKut6hxConuOXIkt9UbKKhKFpLCWV4PZ4sgjsdsOBadlPTPfjMddVMP0dgMe/s1600/Maison-des-Brasseurs-Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPnwxVMuV4hCzwCsoqVZ4ulyvovgEuROrekzcKsXtohJy57QB8STd62CD9e_eAomB3FTA_MTb7rdexJ7iu04_ajXh3nw87xRFnBSrJ3OL2cu-L97o8Yr1d2fX7Do4OGmO6WTGPMtLmIdR/s1600/Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grand Place in Brussels,Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPnwxVMuV4hCzwCsoqVZ4ulyvovgEuROrekzcKsXtohJy57QB8STd62CD9e_eAomB3FTA_MTb7rdexJ7iu04_ajXh3nw87xRFnBSrJ3OL2cu-L97o8Yr1d2fX7Do4OGmO6WTGPMtLmIdR/s1600/Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium" /></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw5JTD-LQpDTA1rLsHCV0ElYOkS1ThyphenhyphenxT0tXVJ3mm_Q80gVYK37sZw4CbfZBVZ7ysTyxe5V6cNbT0XeOjEKut6hxConuOXIkt9UbKKhKFpLCWV4PZ4sgjsdsOBadlPTPfjMddVMP0dgMe/s1600/Maison-des-Brasseurs-Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grand-Place in Brussels,Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw5JTD-LQpDTA1rLsHCV0ElYOkS1ThyphenhyphenxT0tXVJ3mm_Q80gVYK37sZw4CbfZBVZ7ysTyxe5V6cNbT0XeOjEKut6hxConuOXIkt9UbKKhKFpLCWV4PZ4sgjsdsOBadlPTPfjMddVMP0dgMe/s1600/Maison-des-Brasseurs-Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Maison des Brasseurs at Grand-Place in Brussels,Belgium" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maison des Brasseurs</i> in Grand-Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNInSQlTt48pVEa64ga8_o43d61Frp7nHPth4_nBgWvPDCRmJdykLzFWqwWsZWUIq0No_y16R5HpI4yapK5QLeL8Q_B_ot1mvH-IdtmJg7SEQmTZ-xnzaM8mnv5DDNye2NkryDQSf-ogJw/s1600/Charles-Alexandre-de-Lorraine-Maison-des-Brasseurs-Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Statue of Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine (Maison-des-Brasseurs) at Grand-Place in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNInSQlTt48pVEa64ga8_o43d61Frp7nHPth4_nBgWvPDCRmJdykLzFWqwWsZWUIq0No_y16R5HpI4yapK5QLeL8Q_B_ot1mvH-IdtmJg7SEQmTZ-xnzaM8mnv5DDNye2NkryDQSf-ogJw/s1600/Charles-Alexandre-de-Lorraine-Maison-des-Brasseurs-Grand-Place-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Statue of Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine (Maison-des-Brasseurs) at Grand-Place in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statue on top of <i>Maison-des-Brasseurs </i>looks like he is giving the bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3fxSUnUG_UdP-adtPev8zCqcrgPVuiLXk4mSbjy9uhoGjL60LGMZcN8jJLAkGEVMiZgh6C2aiSJbl4h33xj3VworO-RazEp8vTBngpG2rBqs4Vf4A-DPQ6gOFBITq5ViR57NMz9Dg2Op/s1600/Grand-Place-Museum-of-the-City-of-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Museum of the City of Brussels in Grand Place" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3fxSUnUG_UdP-adtPev8zCqcrgPVuiLXk4mSbjy9uhoGjL60LGMZcN8jJLAkGEVMiZgh6C2aiSJbl4h33xj3VworO-RazEp8vTBngpG2rBqs4Vf4A-DPQ6gOFBITq5ViR57NMz9Dg2Op/s1600/Grand-Place-Museum-of-the-City-of-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Museum of the City of Brussels in Grand Place - Belgium" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum of the City of Brussels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OXYkC1LyUdoG-QErdKyS0QMSOM4hOOrhzkSoj3RASTsjKSD2nwTzPHJFIn7SNV9MH-slFqkX22B9L7hWLG06yanFgsW_sNwFuPjE_hX_fZb3Lrn8lp3Xinasm79PtsIe-ACaKXt-i2l9/s1600/Grand-Place-Town-Hall-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Town Hall in Grand Place - Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OXYkC1LyUdoG-QErdKyS0QMSOM4hOOrhzkSoj3RASTsjKSD2nwTzPHJFIn7SNV9MH-slFqkX22B9L7hWLG06yanFgsW_sNwFuPjE_hX_fZb3Lrn8lp3Xinasm79PtsIe-ACaKXt-i2l9/s1600/Grand-Place-Town-Hall-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Town Hall in Grand Place - Brussels, Belgium" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Grand Place</b> is the central square in Brussels surrounded by guildhalls and the Town Hall. The square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most memorable landmark in Brussels. Unless you count <b>Manneken Pis</b>, a small bronze sculpture dating back to 1618 that depicts a naked boy urinating into a fountain's basin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8fxzbwTi7zVrUNFbywmb4H5pRFJnPWrIw_wBZQbyPgWUQPJF0L0b7ywy1_ibk7La1MkZu5ATJnYxF6o6Y4Yhp1EwE2H9FSTmQ0nfmYZ6jPDldEzGii_3yNwiJBJC3s4vWNQ-qZ1WIo7G/s1600/Manneken-Pis-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8fxzbwTi7zVrUNFbywmb4H5pRFJnPWrIw_wBZQbyPgWUQPJF0L0b7ywy1_ibk7La1MkZu5ATJnYxF6o6Y4Yhp1EwE2H9FSTmQ0nfmYZ6jPDldEzGii_3yNwiJBJC3s4vWNQ-qZ1WIo7G/s1600/Manneken-Pis-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVVTfU75HIIrZimUbj8wk9eRq8p6So43rEy0L5ZnMKmmiRqni3szg4KYmz2dBiw1zxYDYfFuQpKMVqK0yArbPYI_kzxqTLNXnAsR3iZsHVRUooswKKxHydAWk8VihBPSICrwt5boSAtlq/s1600/Manneken-Pis-Close-Up-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVVTfU75HIIrZimUbj8wk9eRq8p6So43rEy0L5ZnMKmmiRqni3szg4KYmz2dBiw1zxYDYfFuQpKMVqK0yArbPYI_kzxqTLNXnAsR3iZsHVRUooswKKxHydAWk8VihBPSICrwt5boSAtlq/s1600/Manneken-Pis-Close-Up-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjasYL-vpdmdiPgiS5t85IiF3VmLiY0b7UPMRHrruWV6e0apjyMvZmFN_ERNwqTM0N-o6hzvN8kLsJFqaV5o1eiaL-B49HUOlXitxuFkuaBlAIyWbWI2ekrHVNQLsL7E_4C6aBLVG_KacM/s1600/Street-Art-Jim-Morisson-John-Lennon-Bob-Dylan-Jimi-Hendrix-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Street art in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjasYL-vpdmdiPgiS5t85IiF3VmLiY0b7UPMRHrruWV6e0apjyMvZmFN_ERNwqTM0N-o6hzvN8kLsJFqaV5o1eiaL-B49HUOlXitxuFkuaBlAIyWbWI2ekrHVNQLsL7E_4C6aBLVG_KacM/s1600/Street-Art-Jim-Morisson-John-Lennon-Bob-Dylan-Jimi-Hendrix-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Street art of Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzTXyXnfc8c5H4DjjmlDNjJBlz8U58XybGPkEoCmV5B5iD69on50zoiL7ikjZpgHVAW5I31kdrQM4G8KRF8ZF8TH8VKPSC-KfciQSeKGnjPlrM9KWnMgPFtVZgkSyE6Fk40QidQsQfbqn/s1600/Street-Art-John-Lennon-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="John Lennon street art in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzTXyXnfc8c5H4DjjmlDNjJBlz8U58XybGPkEoCmV5B5iD69on50zoiL7ikjZpgHVAW5I31kdrQM4G8KRF8ZF8TH8VKPSC-KfciQSeKGnjPlrM9KWnMgPFtVZgkSyE6Fk40QidQsQfbqn/s1600/Street-Art-John-Lennon-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="John Lennon street art in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o49YQWxSWyo1gym5y833YohIB_VMVLfeZF5jIfJdM0xM2apRsHYUzkFuM7dRnhatZ9PiPrLHDQOWGjVXVWHABTkEnLJ6hxR0jnWSnw9Xt5Trxw7JbKnDFmhKqYYCvKiqXZrbYaedQ_YV/s1600/Street-Art-Bob-Dylan-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bob Dylan street art in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o49YQWxSWyo1gym5y833YohIB_VMVLfeZF5jIfJdM0xM2apRsHYUzkFuM7dRnhatZ9PiPrLHDQOWGjVXVWHABTkEnLJ6hxR0jnWSnw9Xt5Trxw7JbKnDFmhKqYYCvKiqXZrbYaedQ_YV/s1600/Street-Art-Bob-Dylan-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Bob Dylan street art in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The answer is blowin' in the wind - Bob Dylan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A visit to Belgium wouldn't be complete without trying one of its best street foods - waffles. There are over a dozen varieties of waffles in Belgium alone!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Ts0gwvTD9vOkBQ-9Gzs8i42Eu6L9gFFNCaSbhFaBUPFtZkiSQf1ZrpVDXwN7Us5kI4nmazlrR2gfhxXbHlHjGXg4-Lt0-OZJEJiC8DOyXLJ3DEvuSbzkJi8W0b7iJenCvTttTFdweha/s1600/Waffles-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Waffles in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Ts0gwvTD9vOkBQ-9Gzs8i42Eu6L9gFFNCaSbhFaBUPFtZkiSQf1ZrpVDXwN7Us5kI4nmazlrR2gfhxXbHlHjGXg4-Lt0-OZJEJiC8DOyXLJ3DEvuSbzkJi8W0b7iJenCvTttTFdweha/s1600/Waffles-Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Waffles in Brussels, Belgium" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LaOEPHZFZ4UBk3iyFld_voM6g_WObr4TVW61pEG1F-V06fZ7hl5rjFStbZn0ZFMDspqOSaibtuzvxoYgmjevnRIarNfRAWaWYOvCJHqy5bz1Q40VPPEHB5pOj1K_txY6BQcLQqftX7Yt/s1600/Waffles_Brussels-Belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Waffles in Brussels, Belgium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LaOEPHZFZ4UBk3iyFld_voM6g_WObr4TVW61pEG1F-V06fZ7hl5rjFStbZn0ZFMDspqOSaibtuzvxoYgmjevnRIarNfRAWaWYOvCJHqy5bz1Q40VPPEHB5pOj1K_txY6BQcLQqftX7Yt/s1600/Waffles_Brussels-Belgium.jpg" title="Waffles in Brussels, Belgium" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<i><b>Q:</b> Have you ever gotten lost during your travels?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Be sure to read my previous travel throwbacks to <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/disneyland.html" target="_blank">Disneyland</a>, <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback--windsor-castle.html" target="_blank">Windsor Castle</a> and <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback-london-2004.html" target="_blank">London</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com4Brussels, Belgium50.8503396 4.351710300000036150.6899556 4.0289868000000357 51.0107236 4.6744338000000365tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-17529104988348133672014-08-27T18:45:00.002+01:002014-09-02T12:45:03.042+01:002 Signs You're Turning English<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/three-lions.html" target="_blank">four years since I first arrived in England</a> and a lot has changed in that time. I've been married, bought a house and started a successful career. All of this while learning about the habits and the customs of the English.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/culture-shock.html" target="_blank">culture shock</a> has subsided and with each passing year I find the amount of words getting lost in translation dwindling. Instead of 'eggplant' I now say 'aubergine' and u's are creeping into the spelling of words such as 'colour' and 'neighbour'. Even my accent is becoming slightly muddled.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On my commute into work this morning I found myself wondering if perhaps I am turning English. There have been two recent signs that have led me to this theory.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjzSDfEhqoz891kd026mjhGqlDrSj-kJLUvPcFu9jyTexGKMo3j-heZQeQsrtxxu_8f96od2YBOb_VsQ1B2xkoDk5QA_26nZ2qVQGejAE1OlwGH4udE9x7qAq2B0zEZT3PlmlhEo6yN9k/s1600/2+Signs+You+Are+Turning+English.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Signs You're Turning English" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjzSDfEhqoz891kd026mjhGqlDrSj-kJLUvPcFu9jyTexGKMo3j-heZQeQsrtxxu_8f96od2YBOb_VsQ1B2xkoDk5QA_26nZ2qVQGejAE1OlwGH4udE9x7qAq2B0zEZT3PlmlhEo6yN9k/s1600/2+Signs+You+Are+Turning+English.jpg" height="400" title="2 Signs You're Turning English" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Exhibit A) </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst driving past a pub with my colleagues a few weeks ago I stated, "what lovely hanging baskets." My fellow passengers turned to me in surprise because I, for one, had never expressed an interest in gardening. And for another thing, the statement was such a quintessentially English phrase that I'm sure it sounded quite bizarre to be coming from me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't envisage becoming an avid gardener any time soon, but obviously the English's love of gardening is starting to rub off on me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIJfbO7WOTaKtDQad74CjsezqrUa0ZLg2BiTuL9UkZ8Q-Ff3d-rmrOYCNd9MGFkcM_xfFLTiZk3ML2VtGAo3-GpwZ7aDbYcWKI5c-QoXePLmuXTpnMUBLD8zd8ULvs7PCfyNvG7T-nLRQ/s1600/Hanging+Baskets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hanging baskets" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIJfbO7WOTaKtDQad74CjsezqrUa0ZLg2BiTuL9UkZ8Q-Ff3d-rmrOYCNd9MGFkcM_xfFLTiZk3ML2VtGAo3-GpwZ7aDbYcWKI5c-QoXePLmuXTpnMUBLD8zd8ULvs7PCfyNvG7T-nLRQ/s1600/Hanging+Baskets.jpg" title="Hanging baskets at The Windmill" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hanging baskets at The Windmill. Taken by <a class="owner-name truncate" data-rapid_p="54" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/33037982@N04/" title="Go to Leonora Enking's photostream">Leonora Enking</a> under a creative commons licence.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Exhibit B)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A week or so ago, one of our neighbours decided to put their rubbish bag over our garden wall, which we promptly returned to the street in front of their house. A day or so later, we found the rubbish bag back and once again promptly returned it. This carried on for several days and by Monday last, my husband and I were quite sick of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a strop, I marched into the pouring rain and placed the two rubbish bags right behind the neighbours' car in a passive aggressive attempt at leaving a clear message. In the morning, the bags were back.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My husband wrote a note, asking them to please stop putting their rubbish into our garden and passed it through the letter box. That evening the rubbish was gone and the neighbour came over to speak to me. It transpires that the rubbish wasn't theirs either. It had magically appeared on the path in front of their house and they believed it to be ours. We had both been playing a game of pass the parcel with someone else's rubbish.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They agreed to stop putting the rubbish into our garden and we agreed not to put the rubbish behind their car. The quintessentially English custom of bickering with the neighbours has come to an end. Now, I can focus on the other quintessentially English custom of peering out the window in an effort to discover who put the rubbish out in the first place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGNrvBIqboORulr02MP-k7IsQo1lP9zt4GuBZ1YbyZSYx0ZHwexAsC3M3T51ABO_dSTunE4NABbsYrVEdjKUXxwkxci8cfpmwJmJBkEzv_JjFYAWLAghZJyvcpeRwggk4oFLLsDFV6RJK/s1600/Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Garden" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGNrvBIqboORulr02MP-k7IsQo1lP9zt4GuBZ1YbyZSYx0ZHwexAsC3M3T51ABO_dSTunE4NABbsYrVEdjKUXxwkxci8cfpmwJmJBkEzv_JjFYAWLAghZJyvcpeRwggk4oFLLsDFV6RJK/s1600/Garden.jpg" title="Garden - the scene of the crime" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front garden, the scene of the crime!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
In conclusion, I could never be fully English but I suppose it's only natural after spending so much time in England to pick up some of the habits and customs of the English.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Do you find yourself picking up habits of your host country?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Erin x</b></span><i> </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153004759300803419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-12868804446917636862014-07-29T21:43:00.000+01:002014-09-02T13:23:08.619+01:00Cruising On The River Thames<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For anyone <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback-london-2004.html" target="_blank">visiting London for the first time</a>, or just looking for a unique perspective, I thoroughly recommend a cruise on the River Thames. Cruising on the River Thames offers a fantastic view of the best of London, stripped free of the crowds of tourists and traffic. It is a fantastic way to spend a few hours and see the sights!<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago, I did just that when I joined a group of my new colleagues for a tropical-themed sunset cruise. And not just any old cruise down the River Thames, this was aboard a luxury yacht, The Silver Sturgeon.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ab-FmqN-lus/U9Y3T2atUtI/AAAAAAAACzw/DhqRUkXOR4Q/s1600/Silver+Sturgeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Silver Sturgeon" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ab-FmqN-lus/U9Y3T2atUtI/AAAAAAAACzw/DhqRUkXOR4Q/s1600/Silver+Sturgeon.jpg" title="The Silver Sturgeon - Woods' Silver Fleet" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.silverfleet.co.uk/our-venues/the-silver-sturgeon" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We boarded The Silver Sturgeon dressed in Hawaiian shirts and maxi dresses from the Savoy Pier to the sound of a live calypso band i(t was a tropical-themed after all). We set sail at 7:00pm, with mojitos in hand, in the direction of Battersea, passing the Houses of Parliament and MI5 as we went.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCBwmLmLONg/U9gEWcj2fNI/AAAAAAAAC2c/1M7Xmp2HEXQ/s1600/London-Eye-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cruising on the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCBwmLmLONg/U9gEWcj2fNI/AAAAAAAAC2c/1M7Xmp2HEXQ/s1600/London-Eye-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" title="Cruising on the River Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnQRHaBvxLw/U9fzgrBfyNI/AAAAAAAAC1E/_oAybrl8n7M/s1600/Big-Ben-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Ben from the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnQRHaBvxLw/U9fzgrBfyNI/AAAAAAAAC1E/_oAybrl8n7M/s1600/Big-Ben-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" title="Big Ben from the River Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9LFddlf7Ig/U9fzkXsJHRI/AAAAAAAAC1I/nhXPsHJcVv0/s1600/Big-Ben-Houses-Of-Parliament-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7XzoNDwB_Y/U9fzkWXAo9I/AAAAAAAAC1M/6SzN9Fxxsz8/s1600/London-Eye-Millennium-Wheel-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="London Eye "Millennium Wheel" from the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7XzoNDwB_Y/U9fzkWXAo9I/AAAAAAAAC1M/6SzN9Fxxsz8/s1600/London-Eye-Millennium-Wheel-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" title="London Eye "Millennium Wheel" from the River Thames - London, England" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9LFddlf7Ig/U9fzkXsJHRI/AAAAAAAAC1I/nhXPsHJcVv0/s1600/Big-Ben-Houses-Of-Parliament-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9LFddlf7Ig/U9fzkXsJHRI/AAAAAAAAC1I/nhXPsHJcVv0/s1600/Big-Ben-Houses-Of-Parliament-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" title="Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from the River Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avsoloN1sbk/U9f4rQCYObI/AAAAAAAAC1g/8hc9-ksFGwo/s1600/Jamie-Olivers-Fabulous-Feasts-The-Silver-Surgeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avsoloN1sbk/U9f4rQCYObI/AAAAAAAAC1g/8hc9-ksFGwo/s1600/Jamie-Olivers-Fabulous-Feasts-The-Silver-Surgeon.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sC8O0m5Bt0/U9f8EcDpPPI/AAAAAAAAC1s/XOvFjWFrJPM/s1600/MI5-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1531274705"></span><img alt="MI5 from the River Thames in London, England" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sC8O0m5Bt0/U9f8EcDpPPI/AAAAAAAAC1s/XOvFjWFrJPM/s1600/MI5-River-Thames-London-England.jpg" title="MI5 from the River Thames in London, England" /><span id="goog_1531274706"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While cruising down the river, we were treated to a fantastic BBQ catered by Jamie Oliver's Fabulous Feasts! This was no ordinary BBQ, it included hot smoked salmon and roasted butternut squash which were to die for! Our delicious BBQ was finished off with a sweet stall which included the best salted caramel ice cream I have ever tasted!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We turned around just before we reached Battersea Power Station and headed back along the River Thames. This gave us the chance to get another view of Big Ben which I still get goosebumps whenever I see. We also passed perhaps the oldest building on our route, the Tower of London, and the most modern with St. Mary's Axe (more commonly known as the Gherkin), The Shard, as well as The O2.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R23y2Y4C7xo/U9f_jI_VZMI/AAAAAAAAC14/eVHNXOa5DEQ/s1600/The-Shard-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Shard from the RIver Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R23y2Y4C7xo/U9f_jI_VZMI/AAAAAAAAC14/eVHNXOa5DEQ/s1600/The-Shard-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" title="The Shard from the RIver Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OV2KqWjNJ4U/U9gASX8XhCI/AAAAAAAAC2A/xiH4qBTXDUs/s1600/Tower-Of-London-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Tower of London from the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OV2KqWjNJ4U/U9gASX8XhCI/AAAAAAAAC2A/xiH4qBTXDUs/s1600/Tower-Of-London-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" title="The Tower of London from the River Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7diaXKqKwLY/U9gAvHx_NtI/AAAAAAAAC2I/wJfsk6Pl8os/s1600/St-Mary-Axe-The-Gherkin-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Mary Axe "The Gherkin" from the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7diaXKqKwLY/U9gAvHx_NtI/AAAAAAAAC2I/wJfsk6Pl8os/s1600/St-Mary-Axe-The-Gherkin-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" title="St. Mary Axe "The Gherkin" from the River Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wBMBXlkjVw/U9gA_y2b0uI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/wqEY3PS0Rq8/s1600/Tower-Bridge-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tower Bridge from the River Thames - London, England" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wBMBXlkjVw/U9gA_y2b0uI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/wqEY3PS0Rq8/s1600/Tower-Bridge-London-England-River-Thames.jpg" title="Tower Bridge from the River Thames - London, England" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the things I love about London is the blend of so many historical buildings interspersed with the modern. Never is this more apparent than when you're viewing these buildings from the Thames. Our cruise along the Thames was a wonderful experience!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Have you ever been on a River Thames cruise?</i></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeFsOZwGFfg/U9fugBuO29I/AAAAAAAAC0w/gGICIoOFDU8/s1600/River-Thames-Map-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The River Thames Map" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeFsOZwGFfg/U9fugBuO29I/AAAAAAAAC0w/gGICIoOFDU8/s1600/River-Thames-Map-1.jpg" title="The River Thames Map" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.silverfleet.co.uk/the-thames" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03153004759300803419noreply@blogger.com8London, England51.508472 -0.1205939999999827725.986437499999997 -41.429187999999982 77.0305065 41.188000000000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-23106429718231656772014-07-02T20:07:00.000+01:002014-09-02T12:52:31.361+01:00Sherlock Returns!<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's official, the boys of 221b Baker Street are back! Today BBC One announced that their hit television show, <i>Sherlock</i>, will be returning to our screens for a special and three new episodes.<i> Sherlock</i>'s return was announced via Twitter at 2:21pm:</div>
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
"Miss me?" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sherlock?src=hash">#Sherlock</a>, the hit <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne">@BBCOne</a> drama, will return for a Special, followed by a series of three new episodes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/221back?src=hash">#221back</a><br />
— BBC One (@BBCOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne/statuses/484325909768704000">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
After the briefest of exiles, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sherlock?src=hash">#Sherlock</a> will return to face one of his biggest mysteries yet... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/221back?src=hash">#221back</a><br />
— BBC One (@BBCOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne/statuses/484325986121842688">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
...why is Moriarty’s face being broadcast on every television in the land? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sherlock?src=hash">#Sherlock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/221back?src=hash">#221back</a> <a href="http://t.co/q39RHTrmB0">pic.twitter.com/q39RHTrmB0</a><br />
— BBC One (@BBCOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne/statuses/484326030778564608">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Shooting on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sherlock?src=hash">#Sherlock</a> special will begin in January 2015, with the series shooting later next year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/221back?src=hash">#221back</a><br />
— BBC One (@BBCOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne/statuses/484326045227966464">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
We're ready to unleash the most shocking and surprising series of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sherlock?src=hash">#Sherlock</a> yet. The only thing is to expect is the unexpected... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/221back?src=hash">#221back</a><br />
— BBC One (@BBCOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne/statuses/484326128774299648">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
The Game is on - again! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sherlock?src=hash">#Sherlock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/221back?src=hash">#221back</a><br />
— BBC One (@BBCOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne/statuses/484326231933194240">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div style="text-align: left;">
The fact that <i>Sherlock </i>is returning for a fourth series will not shock any fans of the show, but this is the first time dates have been put to the series. Filming starts in January 2015 with the special airing in Christmas 2015. So in short, yes we did miss you Moriarty.. but will still have to wait over a year to see Sherlock Holmes on the case!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-845fc87YPVE/U7RX9VMNsxI/AAAAAAAACys/QX_YEuEPOfw/s1600/BBC-One-Sherlock-Martin-Freeman-Benedict-Cumberbatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="BBC One's Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-845fc87YPVE/U7RX9VMNsxI/AAAAAAAACys/QX_YEuEPOfw/s1600/BBC-One-Sherlock-Martin-Freeman-Benedict-Cumberbatch.jpg" title="BBC One's Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BBCOne/photos/a.500946183259138.112990.470911516262605/779926882027732/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">facebook.com/BBCOne</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The game is... ON </div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Erin x</b></span>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-30142336586042446712014-06-26T01:30:00.000+01:002017-07-20T13:23:30.776+01:00Travel Throwback #3: Disneyland<div style="text-align: justify;">
One thing people might not know about me is that I'm a certified Disney freak! My mom took me to Disneyland for the first time when I was two-years-old, and after that I went to Disneyland two or three times a year, most years I even had an annual pass. As one can imagine, I have a lot of Disneyland memories with my mom and my fellow Disney girl, Amy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For this travel throwback I thought I would take the opportunity to share some of these with you. I dedicate this post to my fellow Disney girls, my mom and Amy, who made so many of these memories with me!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkOOn8Kv2jKR5RoG5XtXVWFcrRxfBlBBagLPBlvx6mP2zXxdhQ4c7dtsRfpPNWuviBDX54mLbVOqC_DLxy3hvbBnZ0tgrSY20tjFXMUyQxpg5Xoj53JMYV9H7IyO8TPnmzySWJxX_fns/s1600/Disneyland+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Disneyland Girls in New Orleans Square" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkOOn8Kv2jKR5RoG5XtXVWFcrRxfBlBBagLPBlvx6mP2zXxdhQ4c7dtsRfpPNWuviBDX54mLbVOqC_DLxy3hvbBnZ0tgrSY20tjFXMUyQxpg5Xoj53JMYV9H7IyO8TPnmzySWJxX_fns/s1600/Disneyland+Girls.jpg" title="Disneyland Girls in New Orleans Square" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disneyland Girls in New Orleans Square (April 2010)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
First off, let me start by saying that one of the things I love about Disneyland is that everyone has their own unique traditions when they visit The Happiest Place on Earth!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
One of my Disneyland traditions starts the night before, when I would watch <i>Disney's Sing Along Songs' Disneyland Fun</i>. My mom bought me the VHS before one of my trip to Disneyland to help explain where we were going. Later on we bought it on DVD and now you can watch it here in all its 90's glory thanks to YouTube!<br />
<br />
This tradition still stands, I even made Luke watch it with me before our first trip to Disneyland together in April 2010.</div>
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="368" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J1QeShToq-E" width="490"></iframe></center>
<center>
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
The second of my traditions is getting a picture taken in front of the White Rabbit from <i>Alice In Wonderland</i>'s door. The door is located to the side of The Mad Hatter in Fantasyland. My earlier photographs prior to age fourteen are unfortunately still at my mom's house but I do have a number from my trips throughout high school and beyond.</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JT0QGMNz1d0/U6rZQYC8a0I/AAAAAAAACuI/xKDh5HcJqFM/s1600/The+White+Rabbit+from+Alice+In+Wonderland%27s+Door+Near+The+Mad+Hatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Alice In Wonderland's the White Rabbit's Door at Disneyland" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JT0QGMNz1d0/U6rZQYC8a0I/AAAAAAAACuI/xKDh5HcJqFM/s1600/The+White+Rabbit+from+Alice+In+Wonderland's+Door+Near+The+Mad+Hatter.jpg" title="Alice In Wonderland's the White Rabbit's Door at Disneyland" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of photographs in front of the White Rabbit's door in Disneyland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
Now, you don't become a Disney freak without learning a few secrets about<span style="text-align: justify;"> Disneyland over the years.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> Rather than keep these secrets for myself, I decided to stop being so selfish and share some of these secrets with you! So here are <b>my top 5 Disneyland secrets</b>:</span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">1. There is a secret members-only club in Disneyland known as Club 33. Walt Disney had it built to entertain his guests.</span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq0CPEICFcY/U6rc3woSZOI/AAAAAAAACuU/xbTlnoFbvTY/s1600/Disneyland-Club-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Disneyland's members-only Club 33" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq0CPEICFcY/U6rc3woSZOI/AAAAAAAACuU/xbTlnoFbvTY/s1600/Disneyland-Club-33.jpg" title="Disneyland's members-only Club 33" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining at Club 33 in Disneyland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">2. In the nursery on Peter Pan's Flight, the blocks on the floor spell out "Disney" and "Pan" but look quickly, you'll soon be flying off to Never Never Land!</span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJegyqC7m8Q/U6reot_-HBI/AAAAAAAACug/4gz0ZUyil5g/s1600/Disneyland-Peter-Pans-Flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland, Disneyland" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJegyqC7m8Q/U6reot_-HBI/AAAAAAAACug/4gz0ZUyil5g/s1600/Disneyland-Peter-Pans-Flight.jpg" title="Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland, Disneyland" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjnOmifEJx0/U6rfeFmn3_I/AAAAAAAACuo/7jLLIPBTMak/s1600/Disneyland-Peter-Pans-Flight-Secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjnOmifEJx0/U6rfeFmn3_I/AAAAAAAACuo/7jLLIPBTMak/s1600/Disneyland-Peter-Pans-Flight-Secret.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">3. If you are </span>visiting Disneyland for the first time or celebrating a birthday there, then pop over to City Hall in Mainstreet U.S.A. to receive a "Disneyland 1st Visit" or "Happy Birthday" badge!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4MNJZTc5uA/U6rpAtyFCxI/AAAAAAAACvQ/uT_Frz81gbQ/s1600/Disneyland-First-Visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Disneyland First Visit Badge" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4MNJZTc5uA/U6rpAtyFCxI/AAAAAAAACvQ/uT_Frz81gbQ/s1600/Disneyland-First-Visit.jpg" title="Disneyland First Visit Badge" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My step brother proudly showing off his "Disneyland 1st Visit" badge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">3. The statuettes in Snow White's Grotto were gifted to Disneyland anonymously. All the statuettes are the same size but thanks to a little Disney magic (forced-perspective) Snow White appears bigger than the dwarves.</span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woLyA1JAVtk/U6rnSt5bUmI/AAAAAAAACvE/nHbEKb7hcQE/s1600/Disneyland-Snow-Whites-Grotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Snow White's Grotto in Disneyland" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woLyA1JAVtk/U6rnSt5bUmI/AAAAAAAACvE/nHbEKb7hcQE/s1600/Disneyland-Snow-Whites-Grotto.jpg" title="Snow White's Grotto in Disneyland" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Snow White's Grotto during our 8th Grade Disneyland trip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
4. Walt Disney reportedly wanted to use real animals in Disneyland's Jungle Cruise but was advised against it. As a special BONUS secret, apparently Kevin Costner (one of my mom's favourite actors for some reason) used to be a Jungle Cruise Skipper! I'm assuming this was before his <i>Dancing With Wolves </i>days.</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4fM8rWaBlY/U6ruEoBOLuI/AAAAAAAACvo/4kizBm0v_hw/s1600/Disneyland-Jungle-Cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Adventureland" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4fM8rWaBlY/U6ruEoBOLuI/AAAAAAAACvo/4kizBm0v_hw/s1600/Disneyland-Jungle-Cruise.jpg" title="Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Adventureland" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqYwGmBDdUs/U6ruExvG0VI/AAAAAAAACvk/xqHVDNDzGBY/s1600/Disneyland-Jungle-Cruise-Elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Adventureland" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqYwGmBDdUs/U6ruExvG0VI/AAAAAAAACvk/xqHVDNDzGBY/s1600/Disneyland-Jungle-Cruise-Elephant.jpg" title="Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Adventureland" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqQ-cVWO5pw/U6rui9-XOdI/AAAAAAAACv4/_MH0xuhhcFY/s1600/Disneyland-Jungle-Cruise-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Adventureland" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqQ-cVWO5pw/U6rui9-XOdI/AAAAAAAACv4/_MH0xuhhcFY/s1600/Disneyland-Jungle-Cruise-2.jpg" title="Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Adventureland" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Jungle Cruise photograph would be so different with real animals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
5. There are dead bodies in Disneyland! There have been reports of several families attempting to scatter their loved ones' ashes in the Haunted Mansion. Well, they did say there was "room for one more".</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: justify;">
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIquAyPuVaQ/U6ryt2INoSI/AAAAAAAACwI/xI_ddERS57w/s1600/Disneyland-Haunted-Mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Disneyland's The Haunted Mansion" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIquAyPuVaQ/U6ryt2INoSI/AAAAAAAACwI/xI_ddERS57w/s1600/Disneyland-Haunted-Mansion.jpg" title="Disneyland's The Haunted Mansion" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TFmEUdNyPw/U6rytzGWp9I/AAAAAAAACwE/XJ-CiNVVnms/s1600/Disneyland-Haunted-Mansion-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Disneyland's The Haunted Mansion" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TFmEUdNyPw/U6rytzGWp9I/AAAAAAAACwE/XJ-CiNVVnms/s1600/Disneyland-Haunted-Mansion-2.jpg" title="Disneyland's The Haunted Mansion" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Have you ever been to Disneyland? Do you have any traditions or fun facts?</i></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiTLonch0ZM/U6sFuRhQzCI/AAAAAAAACwo/a0A5eQiZO_8/s1600/Travel-Throwback-Thursday-Disneyland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiTLonch0ZM/U6sFuRhQzCI/AAAAAAAACwo/a0A5eQiZO_8/s1600/Travel-Throwback-Thursday-Disneyland.jpg" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For more <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Travel%20Throwback" target="_blank">travel throwback</a> fun, be sure to read my previous travel throwback posts to <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback--windsor-castle.html" target="_blank">Windsor Castle</a> and <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback-london-2004.html" target="_blank">London</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b></center>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com10Disneyland, California33.8104856 -117.919000133.7972926 -117.9391701 33.8236786 -117.89883010000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-64172924017984782092014-06-23T16:00:00.002+01:002014-06-23T16:00:32.306+01:00Welcome Summer!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>BREAKING NEWS: Summer is officially here! </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The past few weekends have been lovely but unfortunately Luke and I have not been able to enjoy them as we've been stuck inside decorating and doing DIY fun! It has been worth it but both of us are tired and going to take a break for the summer. This weekend was the first weekend where we didn't touch a paintbrush and man did it feel good!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OO0S3th60Ws/U6gmsab2vaI/AAAAAAAACsM/ZUcgRrGXPpk/s1600/Milton+Keynes+Rugby+7s+Beer+and+Cider+Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Beer and Cider Festival 2014" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OO0S3th60Ws/U6gmsab2vaI/AAAAAAAACsM/ZUcgRrGXPpk/s1600/Milton+Keynes+Rugby+7s+Beer+and+Cider+Festival.jpg" title="Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Beer and Cider Festival 2014" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/miltonkeynes.sevens?fref=ts" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Facebook</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Saturday we spent the day the Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Beer and Cider Festival. Luke's team, The Convicts, had entered nearly ten weeks ago and he has been looking forward to it ever since. Seriously, he was like a child on Christmas morning! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXxHLdp0DwU/U6gnO1ooacI/AAAAAAAACsU/92gHRpgiRb0/s1600/The+Convicts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Convicts Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Team" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXxHLdp0DwU/U6gnO1ooacI/AAAAAAAACsU/92gHRpgiRb0/s1600/The+Convicts.jpg" title="The Convicts Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Team" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nK4fbwQWXvA/U6g7Ur1mErI/AAAAAAAACs4/RmRtIRURmXE/s1600/The+Convicts+Rugby+7s+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Social Tournament Champions 2014: The Convicts" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nK4fbwQWXvA/U6g7Ur1mErI/AAAAAAAACs4/RmRtIRURmXE/s1600/The+Convicts+Rugby+7s+Team.jpg" title="Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Social Tournament Champions 2014: The Convicts" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Social Tournament Champions 2014: The Convicts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Luke was confident that his team would win the social tournament, in fact he stated "if The Convicts don't win, I'll do a lap of the rugby pitch naked." Thankfully The Convicts did win and he didn't have to treat the nearly 1,000 people to a laugh! Their winnings equalled £100 in beer money plus a package of beer from Marston's Brewery. Considering most of the team couldn't stay at the club late and they still had £80 left over from the kitty that meant a lot of celebratory drinks to go around.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld3aJiViA_8/U6g7Bck12eI/AAAAAAAACsw/Rk-yQ45GcEU/s1600/Milton+Keynes+Rugby+7s+Social+Tournament+Champions+2014+The+Convicts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Social Tournament Champions 2014: The Convicts" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld3aJiViA_8/U6g7Bck12eI/AAAAAAAACsw/Rk-yQ45GcEU/s1600/Milton+Keynes+Rugby+7s+Social+Tournament+Champions+2014+The+Convicts.jpg" title="Milton Keynes Rugby 7s Social Tournament Champions 2014: The Convicts" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Sunday left some of us feeling a little worse for wear, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the day. Luke and I headed to our friends' new house for the first official barbecue of summer! This was not before a group shopping trip to Aldi. For those of you who aren't in the "know", Aldi is a supermarket that sells cheaper alternatives to name brands. I'll admit it, I've been a bit of a snob about going there, but in the past few weeks have found it amazing! You can find such great bargains, like Luke found a neoprene rugby ball there yesterday for £2.99 and he's already gotten his money's worth of use.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="276" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wlquRXeuDDw" width="490"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry I digressed a bit there on my love of Aldi. Anyway, the point is we had an amazing barbecue filled with sun, sausages and a few gin and tonics. After our barbecue we went for a walk around the neighbourhood through the parks and around the lake. The perfect ending to a lovely weekend!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMytRD67Dk0/U6hAd8cvxHI/AAAAAAAACtQ/SJbf91-cY9s/s1600/Barbecue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMytRD67Dk0/U6hAd8cvxHI/AAAAAAAACtQ/SJbf91-cY9s/s1600/Barbecue.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I leave you with this parting question...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q: </b>Who wore it best? Luke with his blue shirt and plain t-shirt or Pete with his blue shirt and print?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mGufIQ4afuw/U6g8gNrnuHI/AAAAAAAACtE/Kn6KKsiGQlA/s1600/Battle+of+the+Blue+Shirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Who Wore It Best?" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mGufIQ4afuw/U6g8gNrnuHI/AAAAAAAACtE/Kn6KKsiGQlA/s1600/Battle+of+the+Blue+Shirts.jpg" title="Who Wore It Best?" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-74149554600914088902014-05-29T12:30:00.000+01:002017-07-20T13:22:16.040+01:00Travel Throwback #2: Windsor Castle<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two weeks ago I shared a <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/travel-throwback-london-2004.html" target="_blank">travel throwback from my first trip to London, England</a> in 2004 to celebrate my sixteenth birthday. Located on the outskirts of London is <b>Windsor Castle </b>which you can travel to easily by rail from both Waterloo and Paddington station. The train ride takes anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour (depending on the train you get), making it the perfect day trip from London, which is precisely what my mom and I did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXgiJRwwtQHerOvzzqD2RzXAW-5rMleEdzQav-cBay_DsXhuOIXuEhWjkFeSnElPPKmc21LMC8EtGgvBcjV1YVA0AgSUA1fY1nsvzHVDmx4MY8bUVCu1BtUk1NWZ23AmgKwZUYFb6fyE/s1600/Travel-Throwback-Windsor-Castle-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXgiJRwwtQHerOvzzqD2RzXAW-5rMleEdzQav-cBay_DsXhuOIXuEhWjkFeSnElPPKmc21LMC8EtGgvBcjV1YVA0AgSUA1fY1nsvzHVDmx4MY8bUVCu1BtUk1NWZ23AmgKwZUYFb6fyE/s1600/Travel-Throwback-Windsor-Castle-England.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Windsor Castle is <b>Queen Elizabeth II</b>'s preferred weekend home and is often used for hosting state visits, as well as being a popular tourist attraction (when the Queen isn't in residence of course). However the original castle dates back to the 11th century after William the Conqueror (whom I've currently been reading about in Stephen Clarke's <i><a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/0552775746" target="_blank">1000 Years of Annoying the French</a></i>).<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXiff2_WZuE/U33_qRfeiiI/AAAAAAAACoM/0Gx3hlDiQSM/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="The Round Tower of Windsor Castle" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXiff2_WZuE/U33_qRfeiiI/AAAAAAAACoM/0Gx3hlDiQSM/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-11.jpg" title="The Round Tower of Windsor Castle" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEvrF6O_-bI/U33_tI8cQFI/AAAAAAAACo8/-AoK5k58Ipo/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Round Tower of Windsor Castle, England" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEvrF6O_-bI/U33_tI8cQFI/AAAAAAAACo8/-AoK5k58Ipo/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-2.jpg" title="The Round Tower of Windsor Castle, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lt1llUAbDm8/U33_uTfHWlI/AAAAAAAACpY/ovBtUOdXhLc/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Round Tower of Windsor Castle, England" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lt1llUAbDm8/U33_uTfHWlI/AAAAAAAACpY/ovBtUOdXhLc/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-5.jpg" title="The Round Tower of Windsor Castle, England" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Round Tower of Windsor Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The current reigning monarch isn't the only one to use Windsor Castle as one of her official royal residences. It has been occupied since the time of Henry I (1068-1135) making it the longest occupied castle in Europe!<span style="text-align: justify;"> Famous residents include Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, the mad King George III, and Victoria.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">During World War II, Windsor Castle served as the refuge of the royal family, perhaps explaining the Queen's attachment to the place.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpfLTgAzdlk/U33_qdztb9I/AAAAAAAACp4/_mqb1lgXbtU/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Archway of Windsor Castle, England" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpfLTgAzdlk/U33_qdztb9I/AAAAAAAACp4/_mqb1lgXbtU/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-10.jpg" title="Archway of Windsor Castle, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kZlrkrLgrw/U33_vskGn6I/AAAAAAAACpk/xI6veXhfY7c/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kZlrkrLgrw/U33_vskGn6I/AAAAAAAACpk/xI6veXhfY7c/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-8.jpg" title="Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The <b>Guards Polo Club</b> located in Windsor Great Park has been associated with the royal family since it's formation in 1955. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is president of the club and Queen Elizabeth II its patron.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Princes William and Harry have often played here. In fact the day before we visited, both princes had been in Windsor for a polo match. I was livid when I discovered we missed it by a day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8b28nChOiQ8/U33_reyYBRI/AAAAAAAACoY/F9Uw1citRos/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8b28nChOiQ8/U33_reyYBRI/AAAAAAAACoY/F9Uw1citRos/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-12.jpg" title="St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DR9GYLO1MvM/U33_rlRd-TI/AAAAAAAACoc/-vzbI5zUXrs/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DR9GYLO1MvM/U33_rlRd-TI/AAAAAAAACoc/-vzbI5zUXrs/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-13.jpg" title="St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As well as being Queen Elizabeth II's place of worship while in residence at Windsor Castle, <b>St. George's Chapel</b> has been the site of many royal weddings. It was particularly popular during Queen Victoria's era, hosting the weddings of her children Prince Albert Edward (Edward VII), Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold. In more recent years, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles received a blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2005.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Besides royal weddings, St. George's Chapel has been the site of many royal burials including Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville of <i><a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/search/?q=The+White+Queen" target="_blank">The White Queen</a></i> fame. Other famous royals who call St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle their final resting place include:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Jane Seymour (one of Henry VIII's six wives)</li>
<li>Henry VIII</li>
<li>George III</li>
<li>George VI</li>
<li>Princess Margaret</li>
<li>Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (The Queen Mother)</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxGBpwxVjV4/U33_s7vwRUI/AAAAAAAACo4/C7Xs23VGias/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Windsor High Street" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxGBpwxVjV4/U33_s7vwRUI/AAAAAAAACo4/C7Xs23VGias/s1600/Windsor-Castle-England-2004-16.jpg" title="Windsor High Street" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windsor High Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Besides the castle, the town of Windsor boasts a wide selection of shops ranging from gift shops around the castle to high street favourites like Marks & Spencer and Boots.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Windsor is worth a visit whether you're a tourist in London looking for a day out or living in England and looking for a weekend break!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q: </b>Have you ever been to Windsor Castle? What did you think?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
Erin x</span></b><br />
<br />Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com9Windsor, England51.4817279 -0.6135759999999663751.442169400000004 -0.69425699999996637 51.5212864 -0.53289499999996637tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-82238260204371874082014-05-15T13:24:00.001+01:002017-07-20T13:22:45.325+01:00Travel Throwback #1: London<div style="text-align: justify;">
After recently moving house I uncovered a box of my old photographs from my junior high and early high school years, undoubtably taken on a hundred or so Kodak disposable cameras. Included amongst the photographs of friends, Disneyland and parties was a series from my trip to London in the autumn of 2004.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-un3D8SXXCoY/U3Sw1OjrgSI/AAAAAAAACn0/VmvqK8wIZkM/s1600/Throwback-Thursday-Travel-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Throwback Thursday Travel Edition London, England 2004" border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-un3D8SXXCoY/U3Sw1OjrgSI/AAAAAAAACn0/VmvqK8wIZkM/s1600/Throwback-Thursday-Travel-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Throwback Thursday Travel Edition London, England 2004" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This particular trip was special for three reasons:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>It was to celebrate my sweet sixteen</li>
<li>It was my first trip to England. </li>
<li>It cemented me as an anglophile forever. </li>
</ol>
<br />
Here are some of the gems I found starting with a <b><i>jet-lagged</i></b> sixteen-year-old me at our hotel, The Rubens At The Palace...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ_AYVp-NDs/U3SLz7sVQ7I/AAAAAAAACl4/uYTRXjH9Y5s/s1600/Rubens-At-The-Palace-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="The Rubens At The Palace in London, England" border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ_AYVp-NDs/U3SLz7sVQ7I/AAAAAAAACl4/uYTRXjH9Y5s/s1600/Rubens-At-The-Palace-London-England-2004.jpg" title="The Rubens At The Palace in London, England" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3TUPr7uwWg/U3SLz6XmpnI/AAAAAAAACmM/3Oa073IKyLc/s1600/Clarence-Suite-Rubens-At-The-Palace-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="The Rubens At The Palace in London, England" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3TUPr7uwWg/U3SLz6XmpnI/AAAAAAAACmM/3Oa073IKyLc/s1600/Clarence-Suite-Rubens-At-The-Palace-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Clarence Suite at The Rubens At The Palace in London, England" /></a></div>
<br />
Funny story, we <u>originally</u> were in just a normal room but the toliet decided to turn into a fountain and we were promptly upgraded to the beautiful Clarence Suite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8nfTZFZ1fE/U3SLz05lfEI/AAAAAAAACl0/x7oNu6fcp_0/s1600/Buckingham-Palace-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Buckingham Palace in London, England" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8nfTZFZ1fE/U3SLz05lfEI/AAAAAAAACl0/x7oNu6fcp_0/s1600/Buckingham-Palace-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Buckingham Palace in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmZKrmu07wY/U3SL0rQBFqI/AAAAAAAACl8/vj0Vy94t_CE/s1600/St-James-Park-Big-Ben-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. James' Park with view of Big Ben in London, England" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmZKrmu07wY/U3SL0rQBFqI/AAAAAAAACl8/vj0Vy94t_CE/s1600/St-James-Park-Big-Ben-London-England-2004.jpg" title="St. James' Park with view of Big Ben in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love the Autumnal colours in this photograph of St. James' Park. If you look closely you can see Big Ben in the background.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDeQUnK77yA/U3SkW99mHFI/AAAAAAAACm4/Tmzk0XnLops/s1600/Big-Ben-London-Eye-Millennium-Wheel-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Ben and the London Eye (Millennium Wheel) in London, England" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDeQUnK77yA/U3SkW99mHFI/AAAAAAAACm4/Tmzk0XnLops/s1600/Big-Ben-London-Eye-Millennium-Wheel-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Big Ben and the London Eye (Millennium Wheel) in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_NkSV0Zi8o/U3SkW5-JlfI/AAAAAAAACmc/IWcEAx28p9U/s1600/Tower-Guard-Tower-Of-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tower Guard at Tower of London in London, England" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_NkSV0Zi8o/U3SkW5-JlfI/AAAAAAAACmc/IWcEAx28p9U/s1600/Tower-Guard-Tower-Of-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Tower Guard at Tower of London in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3r2JPpTFyfE/U3SkW-Sxv-I/AAAAAAAACmg/bFkL9HEKpRY/s1600/Tower-Of-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tower of London in London, England" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3r2JPpTFyfE/U3SkW-Sxv-I/AAAAAAAACmg/bFkL9HEKpRY/s1600/Tower-Of-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Tower of London in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g8OPqwjOQEw/U3SkXuXwU9I/AAAAAAAACmw/HK4QoJnxRoA/s1600/Tower-Of-London-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g8OPqwjOQEw/U3SkXuXwU9I/AAAAAAAACmw/HK4QoJnxRoA/s1600/Tower-Of-London-London-England-2004.jpg" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dB-vP9PAjA/U3SkX44p4xI/AAAAAAAACms/so7LJttZKKI/s1600/Tower-Of-London-Ravens-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ravens of the Tower of London in London, England" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dB-vP9PAjA/U3SkX44p4xI/AAAAAAAACms/so7LJttZKKI/s1600/Tower-Of-London-Ravens-England-2004.jpg" title="Ravens of the Tower of London in London, England" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">"If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3bqzmBd6ds/U3Sp1-goAeI/AAAAAAAACnk/D-Yv6BBEBqk/s1600/Big-Ben-Houses-Of-Parliament-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London, England" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3bqzmBd6ds/U3Sp1-goAeI/AAAAAAAACnk/D-Yv6BBEBqk/s1600/Big-Ben-Houses-Of-Parliament-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4q_A_kptmI/U3Sp2JrRUNI/AAAAAAAACnY/PpgVD2FZmgo/s1600/Big-Ben-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Ben in London, England" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4q_A_kptmI/U3Sp2JrRUNI/AAAAAAAACnY/PpgVD2FZmgo/s1600/Big-Ben-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Big Ben in London, England" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kkUxptSnn4o/U3Sp15_EFBI/AAAAAAAACno/Db1vknMlW44/s1600/Kings-Cross-Platform-9-and-Three-Quarters-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Harry Potter's Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London, England" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kkUxptSnn4o/U3Sp15_EFBI/AAAAAAAACno/Db1vknMlW44/s1600/Kings-Cross-Platform-9-and-Three-Quarters-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Harry Potter's Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London, England" /></a></div>
<br />
For a Harry Potter fan, no trip to London would be complete without a trip to Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross station!<br />
<br />
And finally... one of the most cliché tourist photographs in all the world - posing with a red telephone box. I'd like the think the double decker bus in the background makes it slightly different. Does any tourist visiting London not have a photograph with a red telephone box? <i>I think not!</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqaILVih3ec/U3Sp2sIiR5I/AAAAAAAACnc/hA0vz1Lgurw/s1600/Red-Telephone-Box-Double-Decker-Bus-London-England-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red Telephone Box and Double Decker Bus in London, England" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqaILVih3ec/U3Sp2sIiR5I/AAAAAAAACnc/hA0vz1Lgurw/s1600/Red-Telephone-Box-Double-Decker-Bus-London-England-2004.jpg" title="Red Telephone Box and Double Decker Bus in London, England" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Have you ever travelled somewhere that made a big impact on your life?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
Erin x</b></span></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com8London, England51.508515 -0.1254871999999522851.192402 -0.77093419999995227 51.824628000000004 0.51995980000004771tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-61109152685913376182014-04-29T15:18:00.001+01:002014-08-05T12:58:45.533+01:00Experiencing Germany for the First Time<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Stuttgart, Germany is famous for being the home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, as well as hosting a number of beautiful historic buildings and landmarks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxFBs2-_6C4/U1-ynsuYCxI/AAAAAAAACj8/4q4w4BtXNC0/s1600/Stuttgart-Germany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="City view of Stuttgart, Germany" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxFBs2-_6C4/U1-ynsuYCxI/AAAAAAAACj8/4q4w4BtXNC0/s1600/Stuttgart-Germany.jpg" height="300" title="City view of Stuttgart, Germany" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bastian_r/490182693/in/photolist-KjjeK-36n5d-aZLaW8-4q6QXM-36n73-6HiAgd-f99uU-kkL7N9-4QtSy4-3fVy9P-bGJX2F-8WbQy3-36n4b-bkqnBa-yUHDu-7QJfFc-bGFr18-bGFqnR-gY1BfN-2YbL64-6fSyUc-4zmhm3-7QhTT3-fF6ngG-6GtMmc-6fcH8Y-dDqH4v-9KrLSL-kkU2m2-7Pnoyq-7PM7eu-dASg5x-b25nMg-7PHTTP-6fcHbE-n9j56Z-5ytVbb-7NzCod-7NzCbu-eihb7t-fVL4fA-ayCQed-meH8Qn-ajiQZw-ajiRxh-ext3Cp-ajg5kt-ajg4zD-9xgrPW-ajiT5L" target="_blank"> bastian_r</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience any of that as I was travelling to Stuttgart for work. A lot of people think travelling for your job is just a laugh, but more often then not it is a lot of hard work. The reason for being in Stuttgart in the beginning of April was to assist with a conference being arranged by one of my company’s top consultants. The hours were long but the end result was worth it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was my first time in Germany and I was not exactly sure what to expect. I had visions of mountain taverns filled with steins of beer and people dressed in </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">lederhosen</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Okay, I realise a complete stereotype but I still remained hopeful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beJMZSU0tt0/U1-gAli3G7I/AAAAAAAACjs/PoPfdvsnZaE/s1600/Lederhosen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="German Man with Lederhosen and Beer Stein" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beJMZSU0tt0/U1-gAli3G7I/AAAAAAAACjs/PoPfdvsnZaE/s1600/Lederhosen.jpg" height="320" title="German Man with Lederhosen and Beer Stein" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30928442@N08/" target="_blank">Christian Senger</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While I didn't find any people dressed in </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">lederhosen</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, I did have several uniquely German experiences which I am pleased to share with you.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li><b>Getting ditched for being 1 minute late.</b> I know the Germans are all about punctuality but I would hope that 1 minute might be excused, especially when I called and said I was lost. Granted when I say lost I mean I couldn't find the lobby from my hotel room. It appears anything other than 5 minutes early is late to some of my German colleagues.</li>
<li><b><i>Ich spreche kein Deutsch.</i></b> Never have I felt so hopeless on a trip. I know I don't speak German, but man did I learn how much I didn't speak German on this trip! I hated not being able to ask for directions or being confused when someone at the event asked me something. You try explaining to a German that they have to leave their credit card or passport in order to receive a headset when you have a massive language barrier! I could just about manage ordering with the aid of my little phrase book.</li>
<li><b>Filling up on German food. </b> Besides bratwurst and sauerkraut, I didn't have much experience in German cuisine. During the course of the weekend I filled up on pretzels, spätzle, schnitzel and loads of beer! I think in fact I still might be full. </li>
</ol>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkSuR5RRCRE/U1-z0JBbOYI/AAAAAAAACkI/BcKGvPxR77c/s1600/German-Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="German Food - currywurst and schnitzel" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkSuR5RRCRE/U1-z0JBbOYI/AAAAAAAACkI/BcKGvPxR77c/s1600/German-Food.jpg" title="German Food - currywurst and schnitzel" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schnitzel and currywurst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
Erin x</b></span></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com7Stuttgart, Germany48.7754181 9.181758800000011448.608002600000006 8.859035300000011 48.9428336 9.5044823000000118tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-61616825354669425882014-04-10T16:12:00.001+01:002014-06-23T09:30:27.401+01:006 Things I Love About England<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I was looking through my archive of previous posts I came across last year's post for the Fourth of July about the five <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/expat-diaries-things-i-miss-about.html" target="_blank">things I miss about America</a>. It made me think that I should really do a list of things I love about England. As an expat you will always love your home country, but usually you find reasons to love your new home just as much. Here are the six things that sprang to mind when thinking about what I love about England.</div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="text-align: justify;"><br /></strong></span></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">
6. </span><strong style="text-align: justify;">Royal Family. </strong><span style="text-align: justify;">Say what you want, I love the royal family and think they do a great deal of good for this country. I just love the Queen, she is the ultimate legend. But it's not just the Queen, I love them all, even Prince Charles! I mean Prince Charles reported the weather for the BBC, how cool is that?!</span><br />
<div>
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/54FKp4Ib4Kk" width="560"></iframe></center>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">5. </span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Elderflower Cordial. </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">It might not be to everyone's taste, but for me, nothing is better than elderflower cordial in sparkling water. Cordials are basically flavoured syrups, which are quite popular here in the England. Elderflower is the flower of the elderberry, quite delicious and something I had never experienced in America.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Quql62n_PH4/U0ak7B_a2iI/AAAAAAAACiY/0IoCwuALuNU/s1600/Homemade+Elderflower+Cordial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Elderflower Cordial" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Quql62n_PH4/U0ak7B_a2iI/AAAAAAAACiY/0IoCwuALuNU/s1600/Homemade+Elderflower+Cordial.jpg" title="Homemade Elderflower Cordial" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fahara/5783045509/#" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehSV4o8zjoE/U0aqLim2a-I/AAAAAAAACio/Vrn-FxCl5sA/s1600/Afternoon+Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Afternoon Tea" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehSV4o8zjoE/U0aqLim2a-I/AAAAAAAACio/Vrn-FxCl5sA/s1600/Afternoon+Tea.jpg" height="320" title="Afternoon Tea in Stratford-Upon-Avon" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Enjoying Afternoon Tea in Stratford-upon-Avon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. <b>Tea.</b> I have never been a coffee girl and it is so nice to be in a country that appreciates/loves tea as much as I do. Whether it's just having a cuppa in the evening or going all out with an afternoon tea, England certainly does right by tea. Even the largest of problems can be solved with a cup of tea. Boyfriend dumped you? Family member died? The first thing any English person will do is dash off to the kettle and fix you a brew!<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">3. </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">History.</b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> In Las Vegas a building from the 1950s is considered old and anything before that, practically pre-historic but it's a whole different kettle of fish over here. In fact they have so much history it's practically bursting at the seems. Take the </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;">2,000 year old Roman </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">mosaic</span><span style="line-height: 19px;"> in Spoonley Wood for example. There are no maps to it and the only thing protecting it is a bit of </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">tarpaulin! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Every where you go, even the smallest of villages, there are buildings and and stories of some significance. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">If you love history, England is definitely the place to be!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7fUmIRdJUI/U0at14g-63I/AAAAAAAACi0/gnu1G-Vuoto/s1600/Roman+Mosiac+in+Spoonley+Wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Roman Mosiac in Spoonley Wood" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7fUmIRdJUI/U0at14g-63I/AAAAAAAACi0/gnu1G-Vuoto/s1600/Roman+Mosiac+in+Spoonley+Wood.jpg" title="Roman Mosiac in Spoonley Wood" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roman Mosiac in Spoonley Wood</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">2.</span><b style="line-height: 18px;"> The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. Pink Floyd. Led Zeppelin.</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> My top four favourite bands of all time are from England. I take it as a sign that I was destined to live here, and also perhaps in the 60s or 70s. These men are all rock gods!</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRwEqKge99Q/U0axHUTNbrI/AAAAAAAACjA/MyD4wZZofZY/s1600/English+Musicians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRwEqKge99Q/U0axHUTNbrI/AAAAAAAACjA/MyD4wZZofZY/s1600/English+Musicians.jpg" title="The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/essentialerin/quintessentially-english-music/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
1. <b>English Literature. </b>This small island has given the world some of the greatest masterpieces and authors. You have my personal favourites Lewis Carroll's <i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland </i>and <i>Through the Looking Glass</i> or J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series, but don't forget J.M. Barrie's <i>Peter Pan</i>, C.S.S. Lewis' <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>, J. R. R. Tolkien's <i>The Lord of the Rings, </i>Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, the Bront<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ë sisters. Do I really need to go on?</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kugYXw0trGE/U0ay-AEU6TI/AAAAAAAACjM/KcWddWzv4uE/s1600/English+Literary+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Map of English Literature" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kugYXw0trGE/U0ay-AEU6TI/AAAAAAAACjM/KcWddWzv4uE/s1600/English+Literary+Map.jpg" title="Map of English Literature" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/161074124144068798/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q: </b>What do you love most about England?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
Erin x</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-71465062580695906032014-03-04T16:12:00.001+00:002014-06-23T09:31:06.629+01:00Moving House Checklist<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said in <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/5-steps-to-buying-property-in-england.html"><b>5 Steps to Buying Property in England</b></a>, buying a house is one of the most stressful things you will do in your life. First, you
have to pack everything you've acquired since you've been in the property. (And if you're anything like us this will lead questioning where all this useless crap has appeared from.) Second, you have to go through all the hassle of notifying everyone under the sun about your upcoming move.<br />
<br />
Whilst I can't help you with your packing (and nor would I want to) I can make the process of moving house slightly easier with this moving house checklist;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGFm9TY6bfw/UxX6N5KPasI/AAAAAAAACeo/_VFZnYGM2YQ/s1600/Quintessentially+English+Moving+House+Checklist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quintessentially English's Moving House Checklist" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGFm9TY6bfw/UxX6N5KPasI/AAAAAAAACeo/_VFZnYGM2YQ/s1600/Quintessentially+English+Moving+House+Checklist.jpg" height="400" title="Quintessentially English's Moving House Checklist" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h4>
FOUR WEEKS BEFORE MOVING</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ask around and obtain quotes from several removal firms. Or if you're not using professionals, start asking your friends for help.</li>
<li>Book extra storage space if you need it.</li>
<li>Start getting rid of the things you no longer need. I split our items into three categories: charity shop, <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/emoran8710">eBay</a>, or rubbish. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Start packing non-essential items such as books (6 boxes in our case) and non-seasonal clothes.</li>
<li>Visit the Royal Mail's website and arrange for your post to be redirected to your new address (even if it's overseas) for a period of 1, 3, 6, or even 12 months.</li>
<li>Notify the bank of any changes to direct debits and standing orders. Depending on who you bank with, you can usually do this online.</li>
<li>Notify the relevant companies of your departure, to make this easy for you I have created Quintessentially English's Notification Checklist which you can download at the bottom of this post!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Start packing all things that you've deemed essential, leaving yourself just the bare minimals. (We lived off a pair of dishes and a suitcase for our last week.)</li>
<li>Finalise arrangements with your removal company/friends. </li>
<li>Make sure your home insurance covers you from the day you move in to your new house.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
MOVING DAY</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Take pictures of every inch of the house, this is especially important if you are renting.</li>
<li>Get you last meter readings for any gas, electricity, and water.</li>
<li>After all the heavy lifting is done, make sure to relax with the traditional moving house feast of pizza and beer.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
Erin x</b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl4gW46MqjE/UxTnK4b-ynI/AAAAAAAACeY/HGawPHDuD7s/s1600/Quintessentially+English+Notification+Checklist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quintessentially English's Notification Checklist" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl4gW46MqjE/UxTnK4b-ynI/AAAAAAAACeY/HGawPHDuD7s/s1600/Quintessentially+English+Notification+Checklist.png" height="320" title="Quintessentially English's Notification Checklist" width="225" /></a></div>
Click <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/04degvzk39qqiue/Quintessentially%20English%E2%80%99s%20Moving%20House%20Checklist.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to download your <b>FREE</b> copy of Quintessentially English's Notification Checklist.</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-74625922665147357892014-02-07T15:48:00.001+00:002014-06-23T10:37:02.838+01:005 Steps to Buying Property in England<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hello Blogosphere!</span></b> It's been awhile, and for that I can only apologise. My sabbatical from blogging was unplanned but sometimes life just gets in the way and something has to be put on hold. However, I am back and things sure have changed here on Waltons </span>mountain<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After an eventful Christmas, my American family was visiting, Luke and I have decided it is time we buy our first home and get on the property ladder! We have been saving ever since we moved into our rental property, nearly three years ago, and as our lease was about to end, it was the perfect time to buy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n69MqHzOW5Q/UtamAoPaKmI/AAAAAAAACas/TbHtVAHM5Vk/s1600/Buying+a+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Buying a House" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n69MqHzOW5Q/UtamAoPaKmI/AAAAAAAACas/TbHtVAHM5Vk/s320/Buying+a+House.jpg" height="320" title="Buying a House" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ingimage.com/imagedetails/57662928_extInt0/02I26056-Ingimage-shopping%2Dcart%2Dand%2Dhouse%2Don%2Dblue%2Dbackground.html" target="_blank">IngImage</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They (well, Google) say that buying a house is one of the most stressful things you will do in your life. Those of you who have been reading Quintessentially English for a while will know that we've not had the best of luck when it's come to house hunting. Let's see, there was the house we rented in Worcester which was infested with rats! Then there was the nightmare of a time we had when trying to rent our current property, but you can read about that <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/trials-and-tribulations-of-apartment.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
To keep the stress of buying a house to a minimum we have followed these steps and so far things haven't been <i>too</i> bad. At least I haven't had a nervous breakdown yet.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Figure out how much you can afford.</b><br />
<br />
Research is the key to buying a new home. We started this process a few months ago by looking at our bank accounts to help us establish our current outgoings such as rent, utilities, and food. This gave us a ballpark figure to work to with the mortgage repayments.<br />
<br />
We then went online to research mortgage deals, such as the government's <a href="http://www.helptobuy.org.uk/" target="_blank">Help to Buy </a>scheme which is a great for people getting on the property ladder as you only need a 5% deposit! You'll find a lot of great advice online from various sources but <a href="http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/mortgage-rate-calculator" target="_blank">Money Saving Expert</a>, and <a href="https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/mortgages-and-buying-property" target="_blank">The Money Advice Service</a> were my favourites.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-WJjW7Jesc/UvTqt_r_VEI/AAAAAAAACbM/AX10HOPdTEQ/s1600/Help+to+Buy+Scheme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Help to Buy Scheme" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-WJjW7Jesc/UvTqt_r_VEI/AAAAAAAACbM/AX10HOPdTEQ/s1600/Help+to+Buy+Scheme.jpg" height="320" title="Help to Buy Scheme" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelptoBuyScheme">facebook.com/HelptoBuyScheme</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>2. Get a taste for the market.</b><br />
<br />
Once we had an idea of what we kind of mortgage we could afford, we used property websites <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rightmove</a> and <a href="http://www.primelocation.com/" target="_blank">PrimeLocation</a> to see what kind of properties were on the market for the price we wanted. By doing this we were also able to limit certain areas based on cost or desirablity. This came in handy when we spoke to a mortgage advisor.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Get a mortgage promise. </b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xMtEo1tPf0/UvT6dgUCk9I/AAAAAAAACbc/dBVfuQyy3lA/s1600/02G65144+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mortgage Paperwork" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xMtEo1tPf0/UvT6dgUCk9I/AAAAAAAACbc/dBVfuQyy3lA/s1600/02G65144+copy.jpg" height="170" title="Mortgage Paperwork" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I<a href="http://www.ingimage.com/imagedetails/50674482_extInt0/02G65144-Ingimage-Stack%2Dof%2Dcolorful%2Dfile%2Dfolders%2Dwith%2Dpapers%2Don%2Dwhit.html">ngImage</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, fellow expats, comes the "fun" part. Because of my status in the UK not all mortgage companies would lend to us, in fact very few would. Before getting our hopes up we spoke to an Indepedent Financial Advisor, who did some more research for us. Not going to lie, there seemed a point when our house buying dreams might be dashed. However, we were able to speak with a mortgage advisor at Halifax who made all our dreams come true! Well at least a promise of dreams, as a mortgage promise is an agreement, in principle, from the bank/lender that they will give you a mortgage once you find the right property.<br />
<br />
When getting a mortgage promise you should come as prepared as possible, this will save you from having to go back multiple times. Be sure to bring with you:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Passport (and Visa if applicable)</li>
<li>Account Statements from the past 3 months</li>
<li>Proof of Address (Driving License or a Utility Bill will do)</li>
<li>Payslips from the past 3 months</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>4. Find a property.</b><br />
<br />
Now comes the actual fun part of buying a property, the actual finding of that property! Once again we used Rightmove and PrimeLocation to search for property and arrange viewings for the ones we liked. I'd also recommend calling estate agents and speaking to them personally. This way you're on their radar and they'll contact you when they get a property come up to your specifications even before they post it online.<br />
<br />
The property search was slightly easier for us as after three years of living in Milton Keynes we have a better idea of what areas work for us. If you're not sure or moving to a new area, I recommend using Google Street View so you can virtually walk around the area and get a taste for it. Make sure you don't just jump at the first house you like and see a few, and also make sure you have multiple viewings at different times of the day if possible.<br />
<br />
In the end we selected a lovely property in a little village on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. We saw it at night and during the day which gave us completely different perspectives and helped us realise that it was the perfect first home for us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3zVsBlBKm8/UvT9n6BdRfI/AAAAAAAACbo/mgsTZWdszXg/s1600/English+Countryside+around+Milton+Keynes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3zVsBlBKm8/UvT9n6BdRfI/AAAAAAAACbo/mgsTZWdszXg/s1600/English+Countryside+around+Milton+Keynes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/483594850/in/photolist-JJxUf-4Gtgpg-4YXUCe-4YXUUK-5ptZ3f-5tnjZe-5trG6u-5vgkXj-6EajrM-6EesQ9-6UnJo1-aiV4Cv-dgv1u7-dgv363-dgv3mG-dguZQK-dguZ46-dgv2d7-dgv1Ay-dguZfM-dgv2Su-dgv1rx-dgv3vj-dgv1vp-dgv2tG-dguZyk-dgv3DG-dgv268-dguZ9v-7MHSSh-9pCm3R-9pCkZP-dgv2Mo-9SgDEo-bfJmat/">Doc Searls</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>5. Make an offer.</b><br />
<br />
With our chosen property, we made an offer lower than the asking price. I'd always recommend going in lower than you're willing to pay. The worst that can happen is the vendor says no and you raise the stakes. In our case the did decline, but in the end we were able to come to an agreement that worked for both parties.<br />
<br />
And so our property journey ends for now, stay tuned for the next instalment in which we will cover applying for a mortgage and other fun!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Have you bought or are you looking to buy a property in England? </i><br />
<i>Any advice?</i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
Erin x</b></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com6Milton Keynes, England52.0406224 -0.7594171000000642452.001552399999994 -0.84009810000006424 52.0796924 -0.67873610000006424tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-75428670474368732362013-10-18T21:49:00.003+01:002015-02-26T13:08:48.622+00:007 Renegade Travel Tips From a ‘Chief World Explorer’<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">*The following is a guest post from my friend and all-around legend, John Beede. John is a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, and adventurer. He goes scuba-diving with great white sharks in South Africa, skydiving in New Zealand, and rock climbing - he recently got back from climbing Mt. Everest. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">His next adventure is to get the best job around the world - Jauntaroo's Chief World Explorer. Out of the 3,000 that applied John has made it into the Top 50 and he needs your help to make it to the Final 5!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you find these tips entertaining, useful, or downright offensive, please support the author in becoming 'Chief World Explorer' by clicking the red ‘Like’ button at </span><a href="http://likejb.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">http://LikeJB.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. No registration. Won’t even post to Facebook. </span><br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE:</b> Although John Beede unfortunately did not become
Jauntaroo's 'Chief World Explorer', he is still travelling the world and
giving talks. To find out more about John Beede please visit <a href="http://climbonsuccess.com/">climbonsuccess.com</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5Ib3Y0xlX8/UmFTIwz9NRI/AAAAAAAACYU/GBEk1MHSEkw/s1600/John+Beede+Mt.+Everest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer' on Mt. Everest's summit" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5Ib3Y0xlX8/UmFTIwz9NRI/AAAAAAAACYU/GBEk1MHSEkw/s1600/John+Beede+Mt.+Everest.jpg" title="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer' on Mt. Everest's summit" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">
John Beede on the summit of Mt. Everest</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">1. How to Become Hero to 30 Strangers in 1 Hour </b></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my favorite technique when visiting a new place. Visit 5 bars, pubs, or clubs during daylight hours. Ask for the manager and tell her, ‘I’m organizing a pub crawl for 20-30 guests tonight. I’d like to make this one of the stops, what kind of deal can you give me, per person, for drinks?” Aim for $2.00USD or lower, depending on the country. This is a deal for the bar because they’ll get an instant party upon your arrival (I’ll explain how to get the people in a moment) Being OK with pitchers will come in handy. Repeat this process at 4 or 5 locations and create your lineup. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now head a hostel. Tell the front desk, “I’ve got a pub crawl set up for tonight and I’ll give you $5 bucks for every person you guys sign up.” Explain necessary details. Repeat at 3-5 hostels. Also, personally round up people you meet at your own accommodations. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Charge $20, in advance, for a drink at 5 stops. This is a deal for the bar, a deal for the hostel, a deal for other travelers, and you become everyone’s hero for the night. Oh, and if you’re following my math, you profit $5 per person, so, with an entourage of 30, you’ll profit $150 bucks for your trouble! </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hb6qbkKWPds/UmGcSdt19-I/AAAAAAAACYw/s4pH0N7p900/s1600/John+Beede+Costa+Rica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer' in Costa Rica" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hb6qbkKWPds/UmGcSdt19-I/AAAAAAAACYw/s4pH0N7p900/s1600/John+Beede+Costa+Rica.jpg" title="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer' in Costa Rica" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Whitewater rafting in Costa Rica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: inherit;"></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">2. How to Accidentally Upgrade to First Class</b></b></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I ran the Denver marathon and had a flight the very next day. While boarding the plane, I was so sore that I accidentally fell into an empty first class seat. People were walking down the aisle so zombie-like that I figured I’d just wait for them to pass. Soon, I realized… “nobody is asking me to get up!” To my delight, the flight attendant came by, “Sir, may I interest you in a glass of champagne?” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Why yes you may. In fact, champagne is of highest interest to me, ma’am. Thank you kindly,” I replied. It was a pleasant flight with a lot of leg room… </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Take what you like from this little accidental anecdote. Just know that you ever find yourself too sore to stand, with a smile and some moxie, you could get an upgrade to first class… </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhPKQofyGpU/UmGc4-NAfFI/AAAAAAAACY4/EbsGZIueWyk/s1600/John+Beede+Tarifa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer' in Tarifa" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhPKQofyGpU/UmGc4-NAfFI/AAAAAAAACY4/EbsGZIueWyk/s1600/John+Beede+Tarifa.jpg" title="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer' in Tarifa" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">
Kitesurfing in Tarifa, Spain</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">3. How to ‘Hire’ Local Tour Guides </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Connecting on social media, especially </span><a href="http://couchsurfing.org/" style="font-family: inherit;">couchsurfing.org</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="http://globalfreeloader.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">globalfreeloader.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is an awesome way to meet a local tour guide who will show you around. Here’s the trick: DON’T ask for a place to stay. Just offer: “I’m coming to (Berlin), and I’d love to see something that locals do. If you’re going to be going to dinner or drinks with friends over (these dates), I’d love to join you for a bit to see how (Berliners) live. Drink is on me! Let me know…” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Send to a dozen or so people and someone will bite. If you’re cool in person, they’ll show you around the rest of town and may even offer a place to stay! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ObUU6xn1ck/UmGdwlQ3m_I/AAAAAAAACZA/h8NP4JFOBkc/s1600/482983_10151194182149588_1086973359_n+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer'" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ObUU6xn1ck/UmGdwlQ3m_I/AAAAAAAACZA/h8NP4JFOBkc/s1600/482983_10151194182149588_1086973359_n+copy.jpg" title="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer'" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">4. Coupon-Free Discount Transportation </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the plane, in baggage claim, or by the airport taxi stand, look for people with backpacks. SMILE and say, “hey guys, I’m a budget traveler, trying to get to the city, wondering if you’d be interested in sharing a cab?” Sometimes they’ll have too much luggage, too many people, or they’re just grumpy, but I’d say this works 60% of the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Failing that, here’s another trick. See that fancy hotel offering free shuttle service to their customers? Tell the driver, “hey, I’m not staying at the hotel, but it’s really close to where I’m going, can I give you a X dollar tip if I can catch a lift there?” Whereas X = half what it would have cost you in a cab, train or bus. You never know unless you ask. </span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfNJzuvhUBQ/UmGec2jrM1I/AAAAAAAACZI/UTG82dpBKdo/s1600/John+Beede+Aconcagua+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer'" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfNJzuvhUBQ/UmGec2jrM1I/AAAAAAAACZI/UTG82dpBKdo/s1600/John+Beede+Aconcagua+2.jpg" title="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer'" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">5. Employ the “Give Get Free” Technique</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can give value to a hotel, restaurant, or city attraction, you can often score free or highly discounted room, board, and entertainment. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here’s what I mean: write positive online reviews for a hotel (offer a package of several 5 star ratings across many review sites), feature a restaurant on your YouTube channel, or write a blog post about the sweet adventure you had on Captain Jim’s Alaska Fishing tour. Sidebar: Captain Jim really was a great guy… until he shot a 90 pound halibut between the eyes with a rifle…. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></b></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">6. Score Free Flights, Hotels, Airport Lounge Access</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></b></div>
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are heaps of credit card offers out there which will score you free flights and 5 star hotel stays. Refer to </span><a href="http://thepointsguy.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">thepointsguy.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for the best deals to suit you, but I will throw in my vote for the Southwest Airlines Visa. Also, the American Express Platinum card has a fee but pays itself back multiple times over with free global entry, free airport lounge access, and more. You really don’t know what you’re missing out on. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L3QBPu9R7Y/UmGepBGB_nI/AAAAAAAACZQ/K4atdAFumHI/s1600/John+Beede+Aconcagua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer'" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L3QBPu9R7Y/UmGepBGB_nI/AAAAAAAACZQ/K4atdAFumHI/s1600/John+Beede+Aconcagua.jpg" title="John Beede 'Chief World Explorer'" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">7. How to Make it Actually Matter </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having a lot of passport stamps but not becoming a more compassionate and worldly person is like being the rich guy with no friends. Don’t be ‘that guy.’ Instead, let me suggest how you can make your travels significant. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first few trips you take, everything will feel new, amazing, and you’ll get some great photos, memories, and updates for your social media. Then, the novelty of travel wears off and you start to forget where you are half the time. Worse, you can’t even figure out why you’re there. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is why I advocate volunteering. This does not necessarily mean paying thousands to a voluntourism company, though it could. Moreso, it means connecting with a meaningful cause in a place that is not your home and becoming a part of something bigger than yourself. Sarah Carrol created </span><a href="http://volunteeringforfree.org/" style="font-family: inherit;">volunteeringforfree.org</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, a directory of low and no-cost worldwide volunteer projects where you can truly make a difference. Pick one that inspires you. Trust me, this is the best way to have travel make it’s mark on you. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dfr2ufwwIzc/UmGbCLvtsSI/AAAAAAAACYg/fv6jmUUS2GE/s1600/John+Beede+Vietnam+&+Taiwan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dfr2ufwwIzc/UmGbCLvtsSI/AAAAAAAACYg/fv6jmUUS2GE/s1600/John+Beede+Vietnam+&+Taiwan.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-2050622905538898012013-09-17T10:00:00.000+01:002014-06-23T10:37:27.882+01:00Jane Austen Book Club: Mansfield Park<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/1853260320" target="_blank">Mansfield Park</a></i> </b>(1814) was <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-jane-austen-book-club.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Quintessentially English's Jane Austen Book Club</a>'s novel for August. In previous months I have finished Jane Austen's novels long before month-end but with <i>Mansfield Park</i> I really struggled. I found it really hard to get interested in the story and once I put the book down, I would forget about it.<i> </i>Fanny Price might have been the paradigm of wholesome values in the 1800s, but for my modern perspective she is a timid goody-two-shoes!<br />
<br />
Unlike Austen's previous heroines, I found it incredibly difficult to sympathise with Fanny, there is not one ounce of her character that I could take in a modern light. The most obvious example of her "goodness" is when she refuses to take part in the play as she believes the content is inappropriate (it contains adultery) and that her uncle, Sir Thomas, would not approve. Even her cousin, Edmund, who dreams of being a vicar agrees to take a role in play. True he only agrees after he finds out that Mary Crawford would play his love interest, but still, come on Fanny!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POp5EBQ9gRg/UjdpTcfvXTI/AAAAAAAACXE/JutnPOA4S1I/s1600/fannyprice460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Billie Piper as Fanny Price in ITV's Mansfield Park (2007)" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POp5EBQ9gRg/UjdpTcfvXTI/AAAAAAAACXE/JutnPOA4S1I/s1600/fannyprice460.jpg" title="Billie Piper as Fanny Price in ITV's Mansfield Park (2007)" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billie Piper as Fanny Price in ITV's Mansfield Park (2007)<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/mar/21/passivecharacterscantleadt" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Besides the fact that <i>Mansfield Park </i>has an annoying heroine, Jane Austen's third novel is also her most controversial. Like Jane Austen's early works, <i>Mansfield Park</i> is a social commentary on the gentry-class but what makes this novel controversial is it's illusion to slavery.<br />
<br />
Sir Thomas Bertram, the wealthy owner of <i>Mansfield Park</i>, is also the owner of a sugar plantation in Antigua. Although not expressly mentioned in the novel, it is clear to readers that the estate of <i>Mansfield Park</i> was made possible through slave labour. When Sir Thomas leaves for a year to deal with the problems at the estate in Antigua, the rest of the characters seem perfectly oblivious to the situation. You would think considering their entire livelihoods rely on how things go in Antigua they would care a bit more.<br />
<br />
To be truthful my favourite part of <i>Mansfield Park </i>was finally reading about the namesake of Harry Potter's Mrs. Norris. J.K. Rowling said she named Argus Filch's cat after <i>Mansfield Park</i>'s Mrs. Norris<i> </i>because the cat "is similarly odious and is hanging around in the background a lot."<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/1999/1099-connectiontransc2.htm" target="_blank">[1]</a></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmW3OeIKujA/UjdtSGm6BBI/AAAAAAAACXQ/fRSA_m-QSws/s1600/Filch-Norris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mrs Norris with her owner, Argus Filch" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmW3OeIKujA/UjdtSGm6BBI/AAAAAAAACXQ/fRSA_m-QSws/s1600/Filch-Norris.jpg" title="Mrs Norris with her owner, Argus Filch" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mrs. Norris with her owner, Argus Filch</span><br />
<a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Mrs_Norris" style="font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With <i>Mansfield Park</i> done and dusted, it's time to move on to Jane Austen's fourth book and fourth month in Quintessentially English's Jane Austen Book Club - <i>Emma.</i> I started reading it last night, three chapters in and I already prefer it to <i>Mansfield Park</i>!<br />
<br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=318834&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> What did you think about </i>Mansfield Park<i>?</i></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamXSRs5a4I7U-_EaVBTZ1520rpaern739K6SHlmohiX_scw3T8yhHPwDd1Zzco8pG4xg-gPbmY40azK3A7yJ0UDV1PhKS5XI5G8lEsGEL1g5WeORjq-DVi3b54wTwM_b54-jRK4WfVGg/s1600/qe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quintessentially English's Jane Austen Book Club" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamXSRs5a4I7U-_EaVBTZ1520rpaern739K6SHlmohiX_scw3T8yhHPwDd1Zzco8pG4xg-gPbmY40azK3A7yJ0UDV1PhKS5XI5G8lEsGEL1g5WeORjq-DVi3b54wTwM_b54-jRK4WfVGg/s1600/qe.jpg" title="Quintessentially English's Jane Austen Book Club" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-76514044538923787562013-09-12T09:38:00.001+01:002014-06-23T10:38:08.380+01:00London's 10 Best Kept Secrets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">London</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">is the political, economical, and cultural capital of England, with a vast history that stretches back thousands of years.</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> Visitors to London will, of course, want to visit the usual haunts such as: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, and the Royal Parks. But there is so much more to London that your average tourist guides don't cover. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Last week, Marriott London Hotels contacted me and asked if I would be interested in hosting an exclusive infographic with my readers about the secret London that most tourists don't know about. Of course I said yes! So here they are, London's 10 Best Kept Secrets;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>Transport for London's Lost Property Office, Baker Street.</b> This little-known museum houses anything and everything that has ever been left behind on one of London's tubes, trains, or buses.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>Pineapple, Camden.</b> Not your typical London pub, Pineapple hosts a vintage market on Sundays and Bring-Your-Own-Cheese Thursdays.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>Mount Street Gardens, Mayfair. </b> Mount Street Gardens allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of central London in a bit of green space.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>Burger and Lobster, Ascot Race Course.</b> Growing in popularity, this quirky restaurant gives you a taste of the high life at £20 per head!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>Daunt Books, Marylebone. </b>This Edwardian-era bookshop is the perfect escape for any literature lover. The books are arranged by country allowing you to travel the world without ever leaving the shop.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>Experimental Cocktail Club, West End. </b>Book your spot before 5pm Tuesdays to Sundays then negotiate with the bouncers. Seems like a lot of trouble for a cocktail but I'm told this place is well worth it!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace. </b>At the back of the Palace you will find the home of the imperial horses and the carriages used for important state occasions, including the 4-ton Gold State Coach which takes 8 horses to pull.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>The Palm Tree, East End. </b>Darts lovers head to The Palm Tree to see a special dart board known as East London Fives which is split into just 12 segments, which feature the numbers 20, 15, 10, and 5 three times each. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>The Laughing Halibut, Scotland Yard</b>. Around the corner from Scotland Yard, this chip shop is known to be one of the best chippies in town with queues reaching around the corner. Don't be surprised to find an off-duty copper or two!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>London Friday Night Skate, Hyde Park. </b>Remember when roller rinks were all the rage? Well London has a massive one known as Hyde Park! The Friday Night Skate is a weekly skate around central London.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Infographic: London's 10 Best Kept Secrets" src="http://s2.thingpic.com/images/AR/bU15UxZ92ZXue9i1hs3V.jpeg#tl-305279264075284482;1990789489" title="Infographic: London's 10 Best Kept Secrets" width="490" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Q:</b> Have you been to any of London's best kept secrets? Do you have a London secret yourself?</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Erin x</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*This post is sponsored by </span><a href="http://www.marriott.co.uk/marriott/secret-guide-to-london-infographic.mi" style="font-size: small;">Marriott London Hotels</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, to see the full infographic and interactive map please visit the </span><a href="http://www.marriott.co.uk/marriott/secret-guide-to-london-infographic.mi" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Secret Guide to London</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. I only collaborate with companies if I believe their product to be valuable to my readers. All opinions are my own.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com4London, England51.511213899999987 -0.1198243999999704151.195100899999986 -0.7652713999999704 51.827326899999989 0.52562260000002958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-25533794186506267792013-08-27T15:17:00.001+01:002014-06-23T10:38:36.466+01:00Travel Tuesday: Lunch at La Co(o)rniche<div style="text-align: justify;">
This summer Luke and I returned to Pau in the southwest of France after a nearly four-year absence. We flew in to Bordeaux, as direct connections to Pau from England aren't as frequent as they once were. We were happy for the detour to Bordeaux as it gave us the opportunity to catch up with Guillaume, a former colleague of Luke's.<br />
<br />
Guillaume insisted we were his guests for the day and as the weather was so lovely Guillaume decided to take us to one of his favourite restaurants. Our destination was about an hour away from Bordeux in the seaside resort of Pyla sur Mer. <b>La Co(o)rniche</b> is a Michelin-starred restaurant famous for its seafood and views of the <i>Dune du Pilat</i>, the highest sand dune in Europe.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> Just how high is the highest sand dune in Europe? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A:</b> 105 metres high, 2700 metres long, 500 metres wide, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and 60 million cubic metres of sand!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I didn't know what to expect but the ambiance was amazing and the meal was spectacular! Luke and I split the Assiette de la Mer (oysters, prawns, langoustines, clams, mussels, winkles, and whelks) which we washed down with a lovely Bordeaux <span style="font-family: inherit;">rosé. The moral of the story, if you're in the Arcachon area, you need to visit this restaurant!</span> </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbdbf-1euHc/UgpM_KWcTxI/AAAAAAAACUs/ODXMOzEziu4/s1600/Pyla-sur-Mer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbdbf-1euHc/UgpM_KWcTxI/AAAAAAAACUs/ODXMOzEziu4/s1600/Pyla-sur-Mer.jpg" title="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillaume and Luke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfKWER9HhMY/UgpM_FTnJrI/AAAAAAAACU8/bNmvsUFR8wM/s1600/Pyla-sur-Mer+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfKWER9HhMY/UgpM_FTnJrI/AAAAAAAACU8/bNmvsUFR8wM/s1600/Pyla-sur-Mer+%25282%2529.jpg" title="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYyUNIcfoRo/UgpPYjPNBDI/AAAAAAAACWA/p5MQIjOnFsY/s1600/1016978_10100211908635428_1709088502_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dune du Pilat at La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYyUNIcfoRo/UgpPYjPNBDI/AAAAAAAACWA/p5MQIjOnFsY/s1600/1016978_10100211908635428_1709088502_n.jpg" title="Dune du Pilat at La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer " /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dune du Pilat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxq8Hq7t6ro/UgpPYsTJ5kI/AAAAAAAACV4/J_IxUQp5Yl0/s1600/602477_10100216248697908_472007630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxq8Hq7t6ro/UgpPYsTJ5kI/AAAAAAAACV4/J_IxUQp5Yl0/s1600/602477_10100216248697908_472007630_n.jpg" title="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHFq-hvMaH8/UgpPYnYWoCI/AAAAAAAACVw/0ZN355W3JWU/s1600/1013993_10100211908775148_2001897004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHFq-hvMaH8/UgpPYnYWoCI/AAAAAAAACVw/0ZN355W3JWU/s1600/1013993_10100211908775148_2001897004_n.jpg" title="La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking up with </span><a href="http://foundlovenowwhat.com/wp/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Found Love, Now What</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span><a href="http://www.bonnieroseblog.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Compass Rose</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> for <b>Travel Tuesday</b></span></div>
</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com6Pyla-sur-Mer, France44.633628 -1.201676000000020419.1115935 -42.51027000000002 70.1556625 40.106917999999979tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-6573940152796468642013-08-16T15:38:00.001+01:002014-06-23T10:38:55.327+01:00Catching Up With The White Queen<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks to the BBC's adaptation of Philippa Gregory's <b>The White Queen</b>,<b> </b>this summer England has been thrown into Tudor madness! I myself was turned into a <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-white-queen-birth-of-max-irons-fan.html" target="_blank">Max Irons fan girl in episode 1</a>, rejoiced at <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-white-queen-burger-king-wants-his.html" target="_blank">the return of Princess Leia hair in episode 2</a>, and marveled at <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-white-queen-review-3-witches-revolts.html" target="_blank">the power of blowing into a bowl of water in episode 3</a>. Since then my weekly reviews have stopped as I had visitors from France and then went to France myself, both of which kept me from my Sunday night viewing pleasure and I've been playing catch-up ever since.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkpMLM2vtgo/Ugjx9Hzc8OI/AAAAAAAACS0/-MEHk7t3PY4/s1600/The+Cast+of+The+White+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Cast of BBC's The White Queen" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkpMLM2vtgo/Ugjx9Hzc8OI/AAAAAAAACS0/-MEHk7t3PY4/s1600/The+Cast+of+The+White+Queen.jpg" title="The Cast of BBC's The White Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last night I caught up with episode 6, <i>Love and Death</i>, on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018sxqp/episodes/guide" target="_blank">BBC's iPlayer</a> and I'm hoping to catch up with with the remaining 3 episodes prior to the series finale this Sunday. For those who missed my White Queen reviews, here are 6 things I missed from episodes 4-6;<br />
<br />
6.<b> Warwick goes out with a bang! </b>In episode 3, <i>The Storm</i>, we saw Warwick (James Frain)<b> </b>and his trusty lapdog, also known as George (David Oakes), fleeing to France after one of their many revolts failed. In episode 4, <i>The Bad Queen</i>, Warwick has only one choice left, he must unite with Margaret of Anjou (<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Veerle Baetens)</span></span>, the Lancastrian Queen. This alliance gives Warwick immense power, he's practically running the country with <i>mad </i>King Henry VI (<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">David Shelley).</span></span> Unfortunately this is short lived and the mighty Earl of Warwick falls in battle by episode 5, <i>War at First Hand</i>, after killing off his own horse to prove to his men he would not run away. Truth be told I mourned the death of the horse far more than Warwick.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0u0b2qkiCTo/UgkFU-iobhI/AAAAAAAACTE/-i-D0zT4eqw/s1600/Warwick+in+The+White+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lord Warwick (James Frain) in The White Queen" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0u0b2qkiCTo/UgkFU-iobhI/AAAAAAAACTE/-i-D0zT4eqw/s1600/Warwick+in+The+White+Queen.jpg" title="Lord Warwick (James Frain) in The White Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
5.<b> Isabel and Anne have some serious daddy issues. </b>Who could blame them? In <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-white-queen-review-3-witches-revolts.html" target="_blank">episode 3</a>, Isabel Neville (<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Eleanor Tomlinson) </span></span>lost her baby while en route to France. In <i>The Bad Queen</i>, Warwick marries off Anne Neville (<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Faye Marsay)</span></span> to Edward of Lancaster, in order to cement his deal with Margaret of Anjou. One must remember this was the 1400s and a daughter's purpose was to be married off in order to improve her father's position. Still I don't think all 15th century fathers were as ruthless as Lord Warwick. Alas with Warwick dead and gone I don't see these girls' daddy issues resolving any time soon, no matter how much therapy they were to go through.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJnYJxT_cpE/UgkG4T5w4bI/AAAAAAAACTU/b3JdCXHF6ds/s1600/The+White+Queen+Episode+Four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Episode 4 of The White Queen - The Bad Queen" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJnYJxT_cpE/UgkG4T5w4bI/AAAAAAAACTU/b3JdCXHF6ds/s1600/The+White+Queen+Episode+Four.jpg" title="Episode 4 of The White Queen - The Bad Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. <b>It's a Boy!</b> Elizabeth (<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Rebecca Ferguson)</span></span> finally gives birth to the son her and Edward IV (Max Irons) have been longing for! Everybody celebrate for there is now an heir to the Yorkist throne! The problem is the birth takes place while Elizabeth and her family are seeking sanctuary at Westminster Abbey, not exactly the most royal of births. This baby boy was in fact Edward V, one of the two princes in the Tower (of London).. but more on that later.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFhuW43u_OE/Ug4oDAOz-BI/AAAAAAAACWE/ciDNnOBkhFo/s1600/The+Princes+In+The+Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The White Queen - The Princes In the Tower" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFhuW43u_OE/Ug4oDAOz-BI/AAAAAAAACWE/ciDNnOBkhFo/s1600/The+Princes+In+The+Tower.jpg" title="The White Queen - The Princes In the Tower" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/23574430" target="_blank">BBC History</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3. <b>Lady Margaret, a York?</b><i><b> </b>War at First Hand</i> begins with King Henry VI on the throne and Margaret Beaufort (<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Amanda Hale) brings her son, Henry Tudor, to receive his blessing. The Yorks aren't willing to go down without a fight and both sides begin assembly armies with Margaret's husband joining the Yorks! He is seriously wounded in battle and dies shortly after but not before telling Margaret to make peace with York. Instead, Margaret writes to Jasper Tudor, a man whom she has long harboured romantic feelings for. However she is rejected and only then does she see the need to make peace with York by re-marrying to one of Edward IV's closest advisers, Thomas Stanley (Rupert Graves).</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMDCv6smgy4/Ug43i_rxMTI/AAAAAAAACWc/Cv3CKpu1ze0/s1600/Rupert+Graves+is+Lord+Thomas+Stanley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rupert Graves is Lord Thomas Stanley in The White Queen" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMDCv6smgy4/Ug43i_rxMTI/AAAAAAAACWc/Cv3CKpu1ze0/s1600/Rupert+Graves+is+Lord+Thomas+Stanley.jpg" title="Rupert Graves is Lord Thomas Stanley in The White Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">2. <b>Richard + Anne Forever.</b> Throughout the whole of The White Queen there has been sexual tension between the two. Who could forget the excited look on Anne's face when she thought her father was arranging for her to marry Richard (</span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Aneurin Barnard)? Or the dismayed look when Richard discovered Anne had been married off to Edward of Lancaster? With Edward VI back in power, poor Anne is considered a traitor by some and is locked away by George, who seeks to control her and her inheritance. Even Isabel sides with George and helps to keep Anne imprisoned. Enter Anne's knight-in-shining-armour, Richard, who whisks her away under cover of darkness and marries her. In yo' face George!</span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7tK5lYJrNA/Ug43RJPhQqI/AAAAAAAACWU/R-tHCz8QqGs/s1600/Faye+Marsay+is+Anne+Neville+and+Aneurin+Barnard+is+Richard+Duke+of+Gloucester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Faye Marsay is Anne Neville and Aneurin Barnard is Richard Duke of Gloucester" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7tK5lYJrNA/Ug43RJPhQqI/AAAAAAAACWU/R-tHCz8QqGs/s1600/Faye+Marsay+is+Anne+Neville+and+Aneurin+Barnard+is+Richard+Duke+of+Gloucester.jpg" title="Faye Marsay is Anne Neville and Aneurin Barnard is Richard Duke of Gloucester" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">1. <b>Edward - how could you?!</b> My first disappointment with Edward IV (Max Irons) occurred at the end of <i>War at First Hand</i>, when Edward and his brothers smothered King Henry VI with a pillow. In episode 6, <i>Love and Death</i>, I was even further disappointed by his actions after he takes up with a new mistress, Jane Shore. Now I realise in reality Edward IV was not a faithful husband to Elizabeth Woodville. He is known to have had numerous mistresses but I'm not hoping for reality in The White Queen. Elizabeth is left heartbroken after finding Edward and Jane Shore in bed together and remains hurt, especially after learning that the evening before her confinement he is off canoodling the other woman. It takes the death of their baby son and Elizabeth's mother, Jacquetta (</span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Janet McTeer) to bring the two together. Still, if I were Elizabeth I wouldn't take Edward's excuse of "you know I wouldn't be a faithful husband but I love you so much" very well.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ33TzEFMRM/Ug44hevLovI/AAAAAAAACWs/f-88SoH8d3U/s1600/Max+Irons+is+King+Edward+and+Rebecca+Ferguson+is+Queen+Elizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Max Irons is King Edward and Rebecca Ferguson is Queen Elizabeth in The White Queen" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ33TzEFMRM/Ug44hevLovI/AAAAAAAACWs/f-88SoH8d3U/s1600/Max+Irons+is+King+Edward+and+Rebecca+Ferguson+is+Queen+Elizabeth.jpg" title="Max Irons is King Edward and Rebecca Ferguson is Queen Elizabeth in The White Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q: </b>What have you thought of</i> <b><i>The White Queen</i></b><i>? Are you still watching?</i></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Order your copy of The White Queen from<br />
Quintessentially English's <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B00BMRTPEM" target="_blank">Amazon Associates Store</a>. </div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=666666&lc1=1786b4&t=quintessengli-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=tf_til&asins=B00BMRTPEM" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-68731131860600516932013-08-07T13:06:00.002+01:002014-03-03T20:10:29.260+00:00Jane Austen Book Club: Pride and Prejudice<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Welcome friends to the second installment of <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-jane-austen-book-club.html" target="_blank">The Quintessentially English Jane Austen Book Club</a>!</span> We started in June by reading Jane Austen's first novel, <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/jane-austen-book-club-sense-and.html" target="_blank"><i>Sense and Sensibility</i></a><span style="font-size: small;">, </span>and will be reading another Jane Austen novel each month until November when we finish with <i>Persuasion</i>. </div>
<div>
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://www.bonnieroseblog.co.uk/2013/07/jane-austen-book-club-sense-sensibility.html" target="_blank">Bonnie Rose</a>, <a href="http://www.ginasweetserenity.com/2013/07/jane-austen-book-club-sense-sensibility.html" target="_blank">Gina</a>, <a href="http://englishgirlcanadianman.blogspot.ca/2013/07/jane-austen-book-club-sense-and.html" target="_blank">Holly</a>, and <a href="http://randomactsofdrama.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/jane-austen-book-club-sense-and.html" target="_blank">Lindsay</a> for linking up their <i>Sense and Sensibility </i>blog posts last month. I enjoyed reading every single one of them! General consensus of <i>Sense and Sensibility </i>is that while everyone enjoyed the novel, it wasn't anyone's favourite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamXSRs5a4I7U-_EaVBTZ1520rpaern739K6SHlmohiX_scw3T8yhHPwDd1Zzco8pG4xg-gPbmY40azK3A7yJ0UDV1PhKS5XI5G8lEsGEL1g5WeORjq-DVi3b54wTwM_b54-jRK4WfVGg/s1600/qe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamXSRs5a4I7U-_EaVBTZ1520rpaern739K6SHlmohiX_scw3T8yhHPwDd1Zzco8pG4xg-gPbmY40azK3A7yJ0UDV1PhKS5XI5G8lEsGEL1g5WeORjq-DVi3b54wTwM_b54-jRK4WfVGg/s1600/qe.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
For July, we read Jane Austen's second and probably most beloved novel - <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. Published in 1813, this novel was one of the few that received recognition in Jane Austen's lifetime and continues to be a favourite in modern times. In 2003 when the BBC conducted a poll for the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/vote/" target="_blank">UK's Best-Loved Book</a>, <i>Pride and Prejudice </i>came second, only losing out on the top spot to <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B0098ATCAW" target="_blank"><i>The Lord of the Rings</i></a>.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuZTlnKDbTQ/UgH7Ho86FoI/AAAAAAAACR0/5boPxvaRo50/s1600/Still+of+Colin+Firth+and+Jennifer+Ehle+in+Pride+and+Prejudice+(1995).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Still of Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in Pride and Prejudice (1995)" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuZTlnKDbTQ/UgH7Ho86FoI/AAAAAAAACR0/5boPxvaRo50/s1600/Still+of+Colin+Firth+and+Jennifer+Ehle+in+Pride+and+Prejudice+(1995).jpg" title="Still of Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in Pride and Prejudice (1995)" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1516222976/tt0112130" target="_blank">IMDb</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Modern interest in <i>Pride and Prejudice </i>has resulted in a number of adaptations, most notably the <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B001E454FC" target="_blank">1995 BBC television miniseries</a> starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B004JRQ0T0" target="_blank">2005 feature film</a> starring Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet. Besides adaptations, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> has also inspired other works which borrow characters and/or themes from the story.<br />
<br />
When I sat down to write this month's Jane Austen post I decided rather than giving my thoughts on the story, characters, and themes, I would do something I bit different. I decided instead to explore the lasting impact of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> in the stories it has inspired. There are hundreds, if not thousands, to choose from but these are my top 5 based on popularity or ingenuity. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="276" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KisuGP2lcPs" width="490"></iframe></center>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lizziebennet.com/" target="_blank">The Lizzie Bennet Diaries</a> </span></span>is a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in a series of 2-8 minute videos on YouTube. The story enfolds in vlog (or video blog) told from the perspective of Lizzie Bennet (Ashley Clements) with appearances from most of the main characters.<br />
<br />
It makes my list of top Pride and Prejudice-inspired stories because of its brilliant portrayal of a classic story in a modern format. Prior to beginning research for this post, I had not heard of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, but have since watched a couple of episodes and absolutely love it. It's cute and mindless, good for some lunch break viewing! <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> 4. Lost in Austen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS9GIEM0Ayk/Uf-gE5GadKI/AAAAAAAACRc/wOpZKMvrBFo/s1600/Lost+In+Austen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lost in Austen (Gemma Arterton, Jemima Rooper, Elliot Cowan)" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS9GIEM0Ayk/Uf-gE5GadKI/AAAAAAAACRc/wOpZKMvrBFo/s400/Lost+In+Austen.jpg" height="400" title="Lost in Austen (Gemma Arterton, Jemima Rooper, Elliot Cowan)" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://feministfiction.com/2013/02/05/lost-in-austen/" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B0014T7ETQ" target="_blank">Lost in Austen</a> is the story of Amanda Price (Jemima Rooper), a devoted Janeite, who finds herself transported to the world of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> thanks to a portal in her bathroom. Elizabeth Bennet and Amanda switch lives, and it is up to Amanda to ensure the events of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> unfold as they should.<br />
<br />
Like <i>The Lizzie Bennet Diaries</i>, <i>Lost in Austen</i> takes a classic tale and adds modern insights to it with the added fun of a magical portal in a bathroom that will take you to the world of your favourite book. Could you imagine? My portal would definitely lead me to Wonderland, but I wouldn't mind spending some time lost in Austen!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</i> is a 2009 parody novel that combines <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> with elements of the modern zombie genre as popularised in films such as <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B0002MJT0I" target="_blank"><i>Shaun of the Dead</i></a>. The plot is pretty similar to the original, the Bennet family live in a rural English village where their primary concerns are marrying off their five daughters and “defending themselves against wave after wave of the remorseless, relentless walking dead,” says author Seth Grahame-Smith.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_IxVwnVUKDc/UgIAk3ibGTI/AAAAAAAACSE/YAkgOmSmCJE/s1600/Pride+and+Prejudice+and+Zombies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_IxVwnVUKDc/UgIAk3ibGTI/AAAAAAAACSE/YAkgOmSmCJE/s400/Pride+and+Prejudice+and+Zombies.jpg" height="400" title="Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5899779-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well Seth Grahame-Smith you have my attention! Who wouldn’t want to read this literary mashup of 19th century manners and zombie horror? I’ve already added this, its sequel (<i>Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After</i>) and <i>Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters</i> have all been added to my GoodReads want-to-read shelf. Perhaps next year we’ll continue The Quintessentially English Jane Austen Book Club but instead of the traditional Jane Austen, we’ll read the parody novels. Is anyone up for it?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Death Comes to Pemberley</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--90B3vFAkRw/UgICA5TJ0TI/AAAAAAAACSU/JuQNX5qobhw/s1600/Death+Comes+to+Pemberley+by+P.D.+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--90B3vFAkRw/UgICA5TJ0TI/AAAAAAAACSU/JuQNX5qobhw/s400/Death+Comes+to+Pemberley+by+P.D.+James.jpg" height="400" title="Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12875355-death-comes-to-pemberley?ac=1" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Death Comes to Pemberley</i> is a murder mystery novel based on <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> by P.D. James. The story begins six years after the plot of Jane Austen’s original novel. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are still married and living in Pemberley when, you guessed it, a murder occurs. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I debated between <i>Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</i> and<i> Death Comes to Pemberley</i> for the second spot in my list and, as you can see, <i>Death Comes to Pemberley</i> won - the reason being that <i>Death Comes to Pemberley</i> does not simply add to the original plot but is a completely separate story borrowing only the characters. <i>Death Comes to Pemberley</i> has also been added to my alternative Jane Austen Book Club reading list.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Bridget Jones's Diary</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJJZTHFoFVc/UgIzTAKyQzI/AAAAAAAACSk/HGG9s_y4Kls/s1600/Mark+Darcy+(Colin+Firth),+Bridget+Jones+(Ren%C3%A9e+Zellweger)+and+Daniel+Cleaver+(Hugh+Grant)+in+Bridget+Jones%27s+Diary+(2001).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJJZTHFoFVc/UgIzTAKyQzI/AAAAAAAACSk/HGG9s_y4Kls/s1600/Mark+Darcy+(Colin+Firth),+Bridget+Jones+(Ren%C3%A9e+Zellweger)+and+Daniel+Cleaver+(Hugh+Grant)+in+Bridget+Jones%27s+Diary+(2001).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roosterillusionreviews.com/2013/04/23/the-tuesday-zone-bridget-joness-diary/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B0006TL9RS" target="_blank"><i>Bridget Jones’s Diary</i></a> is a 2001 film based on Helen Fielding’s novel of the same name and by far the most renowned interpretation of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. Helen Fielding based her novel on Jane Austen’s original story and <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B001E454FC" target="_blank">1995 adaptation</a>. There are several allusions to the original <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> in <i>Bridget Jones’s Diary</i>;</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Darcy in both stories comes across as pompous in the beginning and almost loses the girl as a result.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mark insults Bridget to his mother within earshot of Bridget. In <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, Mr. Darcy insults Elizabeth to Mr. Bingley within earshot of Elizabeth. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daniel Cleaver lies to Bridget about a dispute between him and Mark, claiming that Mark stole his fiancée when, in fact, it was the other way around. In <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, Mr. Wickham attempts to run away with Georgina Darcy and then lies about Mr. Darcy and the whole affair to Elizabeth.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bridget works at Pemberley Press, an obvious allusion to Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the film Bridget says "It is a truth universally acknowledged that as soon as one part of your life starts looking up, another part falls to pieces." This is homage to the famous opening lines of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">When it came to cast the updated Darcy, Helen Fielding only had one man in her mind – Colin Firth, who played Mr. Darcy in the 1995 adaptation. In fact, one of the screenwriters of <i>Bridget Jones’s Diary</i>, Andrew Davies, also wrote the BBC adaptation.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> veterans in the film and the multiple parallels with the original novel make this the undisputed winner of top <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> inspired works.</span></span><br />
<br />
<center>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=303869&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script --></center>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Switching gears from <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, it is now August and we are currently reading <i>Mansfield Park</i>. You can still join in on the fun so go and pick up a copy from your local library or Quintessentially English’s <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21" target="_blank">Amazon Associates Store</a>! Be sure to join the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?src=typd&q=%23JaneAustenBookClub" target="_blank"><b>#JaneAustenBookClub</b></a> conversation on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/essentialerin" target="_blank">@essentialerin</a>) and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/essentiallyenglish" target="_blank">Facebook</a>!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Q:</b> What did you think of </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pride and Prejudice? </span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can you think of any other </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pride and Prejudice </span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">inspired stories that should have made the list?</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></h4>
</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-55627633085792789592013-07-31T09:09:00.001+01:002014-03-12T17:09:13.989+00:00Travel Tuesday: Holidays Begin in Duty-Free<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the many perks about living in Europe is the availability of low-cost flights to a wide variety of destinations across the continent. The downside of these flights is the timings are usually out of your control and often are first thing in the morning. Luke and I benefited from one such flight on our recent trip to the south of France (which I’ll be taking about in a series of blog posts over the coming weeks).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On this occasion our flight left London Luton Airport for Bordeaux at 8:00am, which means we had to wake up pretty early to get to the airport on time. Anyone who knows me will know how much I love my sleep, so the idea of waking up even earlier to put on make-up before a flight is not something I'm prepared to do. The only problem is a make-up free face can sometimes make for some pretty horrendous first photos of the holiday. Never fear there is a solution that allows you to get the best of both worlds – sleep and make-up and here it is:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Put your make-up on at the airport!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don’t mean just putting your make-up in your carry on and putting it on once you get past security. In most international airports there is this wonderful section called Duty-Free where you can purchase a wide variety of things from gifts to alcohol. You can mostly get these same items at home but somehow they seem like must buys in the two hours you have to wait between security and boarding.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4FG3XkhP3A/UfjA-B3f1CI/AAAAAAAACQU/JVan295KX8w/s1600/London+Luton+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="London Luton Airport Duty Free" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4FG3XkhP3A/UfjA-B3f1CI/AAAAAAAACQU/JVan295KX8w/s1600/London+Luton+Airport.jpg" title="London Luton Airport Duty Free" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/content/6/201/duty-free---the-travel-galleria.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the things you can get in most, if not all, duty-free sections is make-up, thus making it the perfect solution! The duty-free gives you the opportunity to go make-up free to the airport and arrive with a made-up face at the destination. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m always on the lookout for a new foundation or mascara but I usually end up disappointed after I buy. Putting my make-up in the duty-free gives me the chance to test new items I’ve previously been interested in without having to purchase. The products I tried were;</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>No7 Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser</li>
<li>Dior Rose Petale Blusher</li>
<li>Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara</li>
<li>Burberry Body Perfume</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At first I felt a bit guilty walking around the different stalls and doing my make-up but I soon noticed there were actually several other women doing the exact same thing. I did end up making a purchase of mascara because I liked it, surely the exact reason for testers in the first place!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I feel no shame in putting my make-up on in duty-free and next time I travel I’ll do it again! Yes ladies and gentlemen, from no one the holiday begins at duty-free!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm8Q0FuoRBw/UfjDGR8JrLI/AAAAAAAACQ4/BI-wKg82Lv4/s1600/716_10100211908435828_1833019828_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm8Q0FuoRBw/UfjDGR8JrLI/AAAAAAAACQ4/BI-wKg82Lv4/s1600/716_10100211908435828_1833019828_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First photo of the holiday at La Co(o)rniche in Pyla-sur-Mer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q: </b>Do you have any silly travel tips to share? Have you ever used the duty-free section to put on your make-up?</i><br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span><i> </i></h4>
</div>
<br />
<center>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.foundlovenowwhat.com/" title="Found Love. Now What?"><img alt="Found Love. Now What?" src="http://foundlovenowwhat.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/traveltueslinkup.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
</center>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com4London Luton Airport51.8798993 -0.3771636000000171451.8602943 -0.41750410000001714 51.8995043 -0.33682310000001714tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-57964316736516536312013-07-15T16:43:00.002+01:002013-08-12T18:46:13.038+01:00Our Love Story<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow Luke and I will be returning to <b>Pau, France </b>to attend a friend's wedding, after nearly four years of being away. Pau holds special significance for us as it is the place our relationship began and I thought I'd take this opportunity to share our love story.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="276" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/D9AFMVMl9qE" width="490"></iframe></center>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In January 2009 I left Las Vegas to study abroad at the <a href="http://www.univ-pau.fr/live/" target="_blank">Université de Pau</a> in France. Whilst there I lived with a French woman named Domi and her son, Yann. It was Domi who told me about an English <i>stagiaire</i> who worked for her that she wanted introduce to me. Sure enough, when I checked my Facebook that first night I found a message waiting in my inbox.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><br /></i><i>Hi Erin,</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>I stumbled across you on the Pau study abroad group. My boss has just taken in an American called Erin and I put two and two together.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Hope you're settling in and getting on with Domi.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>If you want to be shown around or need any advice I'm happy to help. I've been here 4 months and my flatmate is French so we could be useful. Lol.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Luke</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>PS Domi has my number</i></blockquote>
Luke and I met that Friday and while I wouldn't call it love at first sight <i>(I don't believe in it)</i> there was a definite connection from the moment we met. We began seeing each other soon after and it was just casual. I was going back home to America and Luke was returning to England after our time together in France after all. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QgXzbmoS5O4/UeQVt2g2DHI/AAAAAAAACQE/ml4i2ltVIE0/s1600/First+Meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="L'Esprit in Pau" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QgXzbmoS5O4/UeQVt2g2DHI/AAAAAAAACQE/ml4i2ltVIE0/s1600/First+Meeting.jpg" title="L'Esprit in Pau" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first night we met at L'Esprit in Pau. Paul-Etienne (L) is our friend getting married.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't think either of us ever thought it would turn in to anything serious but much to our surprise it did. We're not sure exactly when, perhaps it was when we went to San Sebastián together, you can read more about that <a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/san-sebastian-memories.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Next thing we knew I was going on holiday with him to meet his family and my parents were flying over to France to meet him! As my host mother often teases, meeting Luke certainly didn't improve my French.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-augNXBFjJw8/UeQOswwUSXI/AAAAAAAACPA/C7Taa7i5avY/s1600/35746_583643746328_4544584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Park Güell or Gaudi Gardens in Barcelona" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-augNXBFjJw8/UeQOswwUSXI/AAAAAAAACPA/C7Taa7i5avY/s1600/35746_583643746328_4544584_n.jpg" title="Park Güell or Gaudi Gardens in Barcelona" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Luke's family at Park Güell (Gaudi Gardens) in Barcelona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrNuSGoDmCI/UeQOs6QUk_I/AAAAAAAACPI/bFpF-1xONso/s1600/17366_565386703588_1438284_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Place Clémenceau in Pau" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrNuSGoDmCI/UeQOs6QUk_I/AAAAAAAACPI/bFpF-1xONso/s1600/17366_565386703588_1438284_n.jpg" title="Place Clémenceau in Pau" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting my parents at Place Clémenceau in Pau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
After my time in France, I spent a month in England with Luke before I returned to America to finish my university degree. Leaving Luke in England was one if not the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I sobbed from the moment I walked through security at London-Heathrow and didn't stop until I landed in Las Vegas.<br />
<br />
Having a long-distance relationship was hard, anyone who has ever had one can tell you that. We missed each other a lot and it's difficult to be apart for special occasions. Even when I was enjoying myself I always knew one thing that would make any occasion better - his presence. I never felt like we weren't going to survive the distance. I think a lot of people are sceptics when it comes to long-distance relationships, I myself used to be, but for the right person anything is possible.<br />
<br />
In June 2010 I graduated from university (with a BA Honors in Film Studies and French might I add) and after what seemed like an eternity, made the move across the pond to England. You know the story from there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC8CQq1xvHR1UMEBw36hQCIAp7Cgyp7pxeKFCg8DehRXghCkehIuq0vz-FCY-_fRQJ1lmoa29gLreYJFP3rJiUgjVoMZz9b5xD2zNJfD87IeWZlxKSUFFrPdbtW3iXUpb8A6W9UJD-4k/s1600/12534_975589603688_1800453465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="...and they lived happily ever after at Disney's California Adventure" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC8CQq1xvHR1UMEBw36hQCIAp7Cgyp7pxeKFCg8DehRXghCkehIuq0vz-FCY-_fRQJ1lmoa29gLreYJFP3rJiUgjVoMZz9b5xD2zNJfD87IeWZlxKSUFFrPdbtW3iXUpb8A6W9UJD-4k/s1600/12534_975589603688_1800453465_n.jpg" title="...and they lived happily ever after at Disney's California Adventure" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luke and I at Disney's California Adventure (December 2012)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> What is your love story? Do you have a place that has a special meaning to you?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></h4>
</div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-27297266577046730062013-07-04T15:00:00.000+01:002014-08-03T13:26:50.452+01:00Things I Miss About America<div style="text-align: justify;">
In honour of the<b> Fourth of July, </b>or <b>Independence Day</b> if you prefer, I thought I'd share a list of the things I miss about America. Don't get me wrong I love living in England but any expat will tell you there are things they miss about their home country. Here are my top 5 things I miss about living in America and to all my American readers... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJqAmqilnmE/UdV-gOGyFPI/AAAAAAAACMY/wA851UatH1E/s608/Happy+Fourth+of+July.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJqAmqilnmE/UdV-gOGyFPI/AAAAAAAACMY/wA851UatH1E/s1600/Happy+Fourth+of+July.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5.<b><b> Radio.</b> </b>If you listen to the radio in England, your choices seem to be Top 40, Top 40 or Classic FM. I miss having a choice on the radio and I especially miss my classic rock stations!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8rKxaFQaJ0/UdVsOzZyQ_I/AAAAAAAACKo/uETVlVx7GlA/s500/BBC+Radio+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="BBC Radio 1" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8rKxaFQaJ0/UdVsOzZyQ_I/AAAAAAAACKo/uETVlVx7GlA/s320/BBC+Radio+1.jpg" height="320" title="BBC Radio 1" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bbcradio1" target="_blank">facebook.com/bbcradio1</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4.<b> American Food.</b> You may laugh and think "what's that?" but I'm serious. Besides the abundance of sushi (read my post '<a href="http://www.quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/i-love-sushi.html" target="_blank">I Love Sushi</a>') I miss frozen yogurt or froyo, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, <a href="http://www.in-n-out.com/" target="_blank">In-N-Out Burger</a> and good Mexican food. Just to name a few!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnWAlASL84g/UdV7P1ytEcI/AAAAAAAACLo/O3j1bRdRMLY/s490/In-N-Out.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="In-N-Out Burger" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnWAlASL84g/UdV7P1ytEcI/AAAAAAAACLo/O3j1bRdRMLY/s1600/In-N-Out.png" title="In-N-Out Burger" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke and me at In-N-Out Burger on our last trip to Las Vegas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. <b>Driving.</b> As practical and useful as public transportation is and as good as Luke is as my chauffeur, not driving can be a pain in the bum sometimes. Now I realise this is something I can control as I do have the ability to drive. However I have no idea how to drive manual (which most cars in the UK are) or drive on the left. There is also a cost issue involved, putting me on the insurance is going to be a bloody fortune!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MPjzlsrbQU/UdVya8eEVHI/AAAAAAAACLI/tF1wQZXv--c/s490/Driving.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Driving" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MPjzlsrbQU/UdVya8eEVHI/AAAAAAAACLI/tF1wQZXv--c/s1600/Driving.png" title="Driving" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke driving in America.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
2. <b>Customer Service.</b> 'The customer is always right' is not a phrase the English understand and 'service with a smile' you can forget about that! I remember when I first moved to England I used to say hello to the shopkeepers whenever I entered because I felt so awkward at not being greeted.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C0dOCHx5F0w/UdVuwG84VZI/AAAAAAAACK4/JE9MwjhgVTU/s490/Customer+Feedback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Customer Feedback" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C0dOCHx5F0w/UdVuwG84VZI/AAAAAAAACK4/JE9MwjhgVTU/s1600/Customer+Feedback.jpg" title="Customer Feedback" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ingimage.com/imagedetails/60619726_extInt0/ISS_4109_02471-Isignstock-Contributors-Customer-feedback.html" target="_blank">Ingimage | Royalty Free</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And the number 1 thing I miss about America... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. <b>My family and friends.</b> This goes without saying really. The <u>hardest</u> part about being an expat is being a part from your loved ones. I don't think any expat would disagree with me on that one. The problem now is when I move back to America, and it will happen at one point, I will miss my family and friends here. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peluw_FCqm0/UdV6FnyHkEI/AAAAAAAACLY/nhtEMB23SEQ/s490/Friends.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Friends" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peluw_FCqm0/UdV6FnyHkEI/AAAAAAAACLY/nhtEMB23SEQ/s1600/Friends.png" title="Friends" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my friends and me at my surprise 'Bon Voyage' party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGRqEqOqPsY/UdVhyBUtj5I/AAAAAAAACKc/VKWr-eEJmlU/s406/ExpatDiaries1_zpsc8244472.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGRqEqOqPsY/UdVhyBUtj5I/AAAAAAAACKc/VKWr-eEJmlU/s320/ExpatDiaries1_zpsc8244472.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm linking up for the first time with for The Expat Diaries </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with Chelsea (<a href="http://lostintravelsblog.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lost in Travels</a>) and Rachel (<a href="http://www.postcardsfromrachel.com/" target="_blank">Postcards from Rachel</a>). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q: </b>What do you miss about your home or what would you miss if you left?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4597313234092574285.post-274272672406992722013-07-02T21:22:00.000+01:002014-01-28T13:48:55.571+00:00The White Queen Review 3 | Witches & Revolts<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sunday was a perfect English summer's day spent laying out in the back garden with a gin and tonic, listening to the roar coming from Silverstone race track where the British Grand Prix was taking place. Of course a warm Sunday in June wouldn't be complete without a BBQ with venison sausages and bacon-wrapped chicken. After such a glorious end to the weekend I usually get a spot of the "Sunday blues". However I believe I've discovered the cure and that is the third episode of BBC's <b>The White Queen</b>, based on Philippa Gregory's novel series <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/1471129950" target="_blank"><i>The Cousins' War</i></a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxOyRJgXpT0/UdLMw-zGF8I/AAAAAAAACHw/BcNVfyH7gCQ/s490/Jacquetta+Woodville+%2528Janet+McTeer%2529+and+Elizabeth+%2528Rebecca+Ferguson%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jacquetta Woodville (Janet McTeer) and Elizabeth (Rebecca Ferguson)" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxOyRJgXpT0/UdLMw-zGF8I/AAAAAAAACHw/BcNVfyH7gCQ/s1600/Jacquetta+Woodville+%2528Janet+McTeer%2529+and+Elizabeth+%2528Rebecca+Ferguson%2529.jpg" title="Jacquetta Woodville (Janet McTeer) and Elizabeth (Rebecca Ferguson)" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/posts/The-White-Queen-Philippa-Gregory-on-resurrecting-history" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">BBC</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The year is 1469 and Queen Elizabeth (Rebecca Ferguson) has taken refuge in the Tower of London with the rest of the Rivers family. King Edward IV (Max Irons) is being kept prisoner by Lord Warwick and his brother, George, at Warwick's home. Their plan is to discredit Edward IV in parliament and put George on the throne. Unfortunately things don't go their way and parliament stays loyal to Edward IV. Edward thus released and returns to his good lady wife in London.<br />
<br />
What was already a strained relationship between Elizabeth and the two plotters has now completely disintegrated. She sees Lord Warwick and George as traitors and seeks revenge for their actions towards her beloved Edward and of course the deaths of her father and brother which occurred in the previous episode. Edward IV, on the other hand, is willing to forgive and forget. He believes the two are sorry and will not attempt to revolt again, besides he is looking to bring peace to his kingdom. <br />
<br />
So eager is Edward to ease tensions that he even invites Warwick and family (which includes George who is married to Warwick's eldest daughter Isabel) to London for Christmas. Family at Christmas can be awkward even at the best of times, but this is too much. While Edward IV may be willing to forgive his kinsmen, Elizabeth makes it clear that she has not and never will. Case in point, the awkward conversation with Countess Warwick and her two daughters.<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JGlk0ZxaA7U" width="450"></iframe></center>
<br />
Warwick has not given up his plots against Edward IV so easily and he is starting a rebellion again not even half-way through the episode. This time, desperate to further her son's claim to the throne, Lady Margaret Beaufort joins Warwick's rebellion with Jasper Tudor, Henry's guardian. The rebellion fails and the traitors must run for their lives.<br />
<br />
You can watch the episode 3 of The White Queen on BBC iPlayer <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036n5wf" target="_blank">here</a>. Here are my 5 unmissable things we learned from The White Queen this week:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. <b>Crimping was not just popular in the 1980s.</b> Newsflash crimping became trendy in the 1400s, or at least The White Queen's version of the 1400s. And I'm not the only one to have noticed, even Glamour Magazine remarked on The White Queen hair dresser's love of crimping!</div>
<br />
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TheWhiteQueen&src=hash">#TheWhiteQueen</a> making anyone else want to dig out the crimpers? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Elizabeth&src=hash">#Elizabeth</a><br />
— Glamour Magazine UK (@GlamourMagUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/GlamourMagUK/statuses/351435956705964032">June 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
</center>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's not just the crimping that has people talking about The White Queen, it's also Rebecca Ferguson's incredibly long wig! Apparently it was even the longest real hair wig that the wig studio had ever made. And do I really have to mention the Princess Leia hair buns we witnessed in episode 2? <a href="http://quintessentially-english.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-white-queen-burger-king-wants-his.html" target="_blank"><i>Please see my episode 2 review for more detail.</i></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaKBMOcz2LU/UdGr5TgLS7I/AAAAAAAACGc/0ZRNLaMlpMw/s500/Actress+Rebecca+Ferguson+in+make-up+for+The+White+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Actress Rebecca Ferguson in make-up for The White Queen" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaKBMOcz2LU/UdGr5TgLS7I/AAAAAAAACGc/0ZRNLaMlpMw/s1600/Actress+Rebecca+Ferguson+in+make-up+for+The+White+Queen.jpg" title="Actress Rebecca Ferguson in make-up for The White Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://facebook.com/BBCOne" target="_blank">facebook.com/BBCOne</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
4. <b>Warwick should give up this king-making malarkey.</b> It seems every time we see Warwick (James Frain) and George (David Oakes) they are plotting some rebellion or other. It's just a shame they appear to be so bad at it. They'll rub their hands together and smirk like comic villains and say the revolt will work this time. Next thing we know they're riding back with their tails between their legs saying "We've failed". Even the involvement of the House of Lancaster can't help them win. Then again, had they not involved Lancaster<span style="background-color: white;"> they might not have failed,</span> but more on that later. The episode ends with them running away to France. Just give up boys and let Edward IV continue to be king!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4u9cCydA0s/UdLS95DNADI/AAAAAAAACH8/VSJgMGRbdlo/s490/Lord+Warwick+(James+Frain)+and+Edward+IV+(Max+Irons).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lord Warwick (James Frain) and Edward IV (Max Irons)" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4u9cCydA0s/UdLS95DNADI/AAAAAAAACH8/VSJgMGRbdlo/s1600/Lord+Warwick+(James+Frain)+and+Edward+IV+(Max+Irons).jpg" title="Lord Warwick (James Frain) and Edward IV (Max Irons)" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. <b>Lady Margaret is a master schemer.</b> When it comes to schemers Lady Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale) has proved herself to be one the best. This week she took Jasper Tudor's advice and asked her husband to send an army to join Warwick to overthrow Edward IV. When he refused, she then manipulated her husband to take her to see her mother. There she tells her brother that the Lord needs him to build an army for the rebellion. Poor boy, he ends up being killed by Edward IV when he goes to confess the revolt. I mean really Edward, there was no need for that! When the rebellion goes pear-shaped, as all of Warwick's rebellions do, all parties involved must flee. But not before Lady Margaret and Jasper share a passionate kiss. What happened to "thou shall not commit adultery" Margaret? Did you forget about that commandment in all your scheming?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGL_UDoyz0w/UdMrTp2oq6I/AAAAAAAACIk/SKolikYwljk/s490/Amanda+Hale+as+Lady+Margaret+in+The+White+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Amanda Hale as Lady Margaret in The White Queen" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGL_UDoyz0w/UdMrTp2oq6I/AAAAAAAACIk/SKolikYwljk/s1600/Amanda+Hale+as+Lady+Margaret+in+The+White+Queen.jpg" oya="true" title="Amanda Hale as Lady Margaret in The White Queen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. <b>I would not like to be a king-maker's daughter. </b>Isabel Neville (Eleanor Tomlinson) is Warwick's eldest daughter and married to George. Really she's just a pawn in her father's political game. Her father is determined to have her Queen, if only so he can rule through them. So confident is he in his victory that he goes as far as sending the coronation robes to Isabel. Of course these are quickly whisked away again when he fails, as he does. I don't think Isabel is sorry to see the coronation robes go, she's cottoned on to her father's games and doesn't want to be Queen. She doesn't just have her father's <span style="background-color: white;">scheming <span style="color: black;">to deal with,</span> did I mention she's pregnant? "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Unfortunately, she's not able to have her baby in the safety of her own home. Thanks to her</span> father's failed revolt the entire family must flee to France, forcing a very heavily pregnant Isabel on to a ship. She could barely handle the carriage ride, let alone a ride across the channel. The crossing of the English channel is rocky at the best of times but they have a <span style="background-color: white;">storm to contend with. In</span> the saddest moment of the entire series, Isabel loses the baby but it's okay, George says, they can have others. And who said romance was dead?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HVrrfPG3eE/UdMqWC-Yk5I/AAAAAAAACIU/2oo3xe2ycV8/s490/Isabel+Neville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eleanor Tomlinson as Isabel Neville" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HVrrfPG3eE/UdMqWC-Yk5I/AAAAAAAACIU/2oo3xe2ycV8/s1600/Isabel+Neville.jpg" oya="true" title="Eleanor Tomlinson as Isabel Neville" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. <b>The Woodville women should have attended Hogwarts.</b> In the previous episodes it appears that Elizabeth and her mother Jacquetta (Janet McTeer) might have some magical powers. For example, Elizabeth pulls the crown ring out of the river, a p<span style="font-family: inherit;">remonition</span> of her marriage to King Edward IV in episode one. However the Woodville women go from being seers to full-on conjurers of the elements in episode three! Did you know that blowing near a bowl of water could cause such a storm?
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I thought these powers were just a bit of artistic license taken by Philippa Gregory but apparently not. It seems that Jacquetta was put on trial for witchcraft in 1470. In 1484 Richard III revived the allegations of witchcraft against Jacquetta, claiming that she and Elizabeth had procured Elizabeth's marriage to Edward IV through witchcraft.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yW5LGazEAtk/UdLTu3m1VKI/AAAAAAAACIE/QGZzpS08Ldo/s490/Faye+Marsay+as+Anne+Neville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Faye Marsay as Anne Neville" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yW5LGazEAtk/UdLTu3m1VKI/AAAAAAAACIE/QGZzpS08Ldo/s1600/Faye+Marsay+as+Anne+Neville.jpg" title="Faye Marsay as Anne Neville" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC" target="_blank">facebook.com/WhiteQueenBBC</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Q:</b> What was your favourite scene in this week's episode of <b>The White Queen</b>? Who do you think is the better schemer - Warwick or Lady Margaret?</i></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Erin x</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Order your copy of The White Queen from<br />
Quintessentially English's <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/quintessengli-21/detail/B00BMRTPEM" target="_blank">Amazon Associates Store</a>. </div>
</div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=666666&lc1=1786b4&t=quintessengli-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=tf_til&asins=B00BMRTPEM" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
Erin @ Quintessentially Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10414621469335501102noreply@blogger.com4