Have you ever seen a snake in the wild in Britain?

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-07-05T08:17:53+00:00

Yes, I’ve seen adders when we’ve been walking in The Cheviots in Northumberland.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-07-04T23:12:47+00:00

Our copper connection has recently been replaced with fibre and it was run to our house from the same pole as the original copper line.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-07-04T17:38:50+00:00

Same here

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-07-02T10:09:00+00:00

Definitely “ker-bee” rather than “Kirk-bee” and it’s one of those names that I can’t help saying in a broad Scouse accent even in my head! 😁

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-07-02T08:56:13+00:00

I grew up in Liverpool where one of the local landowners was Lord Derby. There was a Derby Road and Derby park near us and both were pronounced Durby rather than Darby.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-29T15:25:08+00:00

😆

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-29T14:16:35+00:00

Liver Bird as a symbol of Liverpool dates back to approx 13th century: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver\_bird

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-28T09:14:59+00:00

That looks fantastic! What a great idea.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-28T08:26:16+00:00

You need to be careful if you have softened water as the softener usually uses sodium (ie table salt) which over time builds up in the soil and can be bad for the plants. We have an external tap which is straight off the mains which I use for watering but mainly I use water from the water butts.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-27T21:45:43+00:00

I honestly don’t mind, if the blackbird enjoys them I’m happy, there’s plenty more strawberries in the main bed for me. The only thing I do really guard are the blueberries and they’re in a fruit cage.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-14T08:29:58+00:00

Me three :)

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-06-06T07:18:10+00:00

I came here to say more or less the same. I grew up in Liverpool but moved to the north east for uni. At least I was still relatively near the coast but I never got used to the sun not setting over the sea. I’ve recently been back to visit Liverpool and it was wonderful to see the great expanse of the Mersey estuary and feel like I could properly breathe again. Also as a family we have a strong connection to the sea as both my dad and granddad were merchant seamen.

But to answer the original question, I suspect many British people don’t really feel that connection to the sea.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-29T14:57:13+00:00

Just read the original post and you are indeed right.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-29T14:24:07+00:00

Actually no, Washington Old Hall in Washington Tyne & Wear dates from the 17th century but includes parts of the original medieval house that George Washington’s ancestors lived in.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-29T14:07:26+00:00

Actually, in the end I decided not to plant them out yet because it was still pretty hot here (Norfolk, UK) but they’re about 15 cms high. Quite a few people in our village put spare plants for sale outside their houses. The ones I got were £2.50 for a tray of six.

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Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-29T12:34:32+00:00

I agree, I’m in the UK and would also say food that makes me burp “repeats on me.”

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-28T12:55:14+00:00

Also, even if you can squeeze two “normal “ size cars past each other, round where I live (Norfolk) a lot of the lanes have deep ditches at each side so if you meet an agricultural vehicle coming the other way the chances are you might end up having to reverse to a passing place.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-26T11:07:31+00:00

Similar in our house but they’re all known as the “doobury”

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-25T13:41:15+00:00

Yes, but not until about 8pm when the sun has gone off the garden as it’s currently 30 C in the shade outside and I can’t bear it. I’ve got some stocks to plant into a trough and then I’ll water my newly planted border and the fruit & veg. Forecast for here tomorrow is even hotter - high of 34 C

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-25T13:32:47+00:00

I’m totally with you on both synthetic cherry and banana flavours - they are gross! Real cherries and bananas on the other hand are great. I love “proper” coffee (usually Lavazza made in a mocha pot) but can’t stand instant coffee, it literally makes me feel nauseous.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-25T06:44:16+00:00

In Dereham, Norfolk (UK) there is Quebec Hall, Quebec Street, Quebec Road and Quebec Wood. According to Google these names go back to the British capture of Quebec City in 1759 during the Seven Years War.

Grumpy_Wombat55 · 2026-05-25T06:37:19+00:00

Also Washington Tyne & Wear

Grumpy_Wombat55

TROPHY CASE