Random notes from the UK

[magid]

In no particular order, and certainly not comprehensive...

• Doritos has "Latinos" crisps, which has, of course, led to all sorts of ribald sentences :-)
  
• Moor hens, mocking birds, a pheasant, and possibly a kingfisher
  
• Tube trains have upholstered seats and armrests
  
• Jaq and Theora's wedding was beautiful, and I'll probably have more coherent things to say anon
  
• Meeting new people who were friendly and congenial, also helpful
  
• Walking through a thunderstorm, and seeing a field so full of yellow flowers it still looked sunlit through all the rain
  
• The kosher book is fascinating reading, partly because English sweets have such fantastic names (and many, many thanks to Theora for getting it, despite the hassle, as well as lots of kosher food)
  
• I think I've managed to lose one of my more favorite skirts and my sneakers. *sigh* Not a huge deal, in the long run, but frustrating, especially when it's my own fault. (I really hope I can find some skirts when I get home; last time I looked I found nothing I wanted.)
  
• Detailed maps including walking paths of many sorts
  
• Narrow, narrow two-way roads with hedges on either side
  
• Traffic calming by blocking off one of two lanes briefly
  
• Riding in the passenger seat in a stick-shift car is odd, because the stick is in the right place, but the wheel isn't there.
  
• I've been run over by a train, and been over a train (a train sort of aqueduct running over the road, and a foot hovering over the back of a wedding dress)
  
• Green, green, green, and wonderful green smells after the rain
  
• A greater understanding of the highway numbering scheme
  
• I'm very unused to smoking happening inside anymore
  
• I can't believe I've watched as much TV as I have. Highlights: Takeshi's Castle (I don't understand why anyone would put themselves through that; I guess I have to chalk it up to being Japanese (Sorry, Scholargipsy.).), a show in Sign (with captions for the Sign-impaired), and an episode of the new Doctor Who (the first of a two-parter: MAB, I hope Queue and I can impose on you to see the other half!).

Comments

[magid.livejournal.com]

I have to wonder what it would be like riding in a 'teaching' car, that has an override on the other side. (I wonder if they can sell the same models in both countries, just setting different sides to override :-)

In the States, the major N-S highways end in 5, and generally go up from west to east coast (which is why Rte. 95 runs up the east coast), while E-W highways end in 0. But that only works for interstates, and other than that, it seems random, so it's neat to see another country's scheme with more thought put in.

[jaq.livejournal.com]

The teaching cars here have extra brake and clutch pedals on the passenger side but none of the other controls duplicated. My instructor seemed quite adept at reaching over and adjusting the steering wheel when necessary from the other side.