A snippet from the National Trust magazine. At their last AGM they debated the proposition that Britain's greatest contribution to civilisation is the public footpath. The motion was carried.
Posts: 961 | Location: West Sussex, England | Registered: 08 February 2007
Ah yes! Chocolate digestives...a true contribution. Actually, my choice for the greatest contribution is hard cider! Much more refreshing on a warm day (and yes, they do get those in England), and much less likely to make me feel like I need a nap than that other local pub drink.
Judy
Posts: 3899 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
... the chockey bickey! (A university friend taught me how well they go with a hot chocolate drink laced with whisky! An excellent night-cap. The hot chocolate has, of course, to be Cadbury's. Cadbury has just been taken over by Kraft, much to the nation's consternation ... it was the top news headline a couple of days ago!)
Posts: 961 | Location: West Sussex, England | Registered: 08 February 2007
I don't know about 'hard cider' but "REAL CIDER" made from traditional cider orchards is still alive in the SW and also Norfolk. It's not easy to find and most is sold direct from the farm. It is completely different to the mass produced fizzy bottle stuff. But be warned it is often strong and drinks like apple juice. You don't realise the effect until you stand up....
Here's a web site to get you started. But also look for real cider in Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire...
Hmm - Eleanor - should we add cider to our Word Game thread? What I call "hard cider" is what you identify as Real cider. And at the risk of hijacking WSB's thread - thanks for including the link. It has set me off on a new research project. Look for the "Ciders I have Known" report soon.
Judy
Posts: 3899 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
You will have me waxing lyrical about the joys of real cider..... I have many happy memories of Dunkertons and Henny's vintage cider. Western's is pretty good too and is available in bottles at most supermarkets.
Another couple of web sites Michael recommends are here and here.
What I call "hard cider" is what you identify as Real cider.
You may have already found this out as part of your research project (if the research involves reading, and not just drinking ), but that's not exactly accurate. What Americans call "hard cider" is simply "cider" in Britain. In Britain, "real cider" is to "cider" more or less as "real ale" is to "ale." It's made the traditional way--with no added carbonation, flavorings, or other additives--as distinct from the mass-market stuff, which has acquired a bit of a bad reputation as an inexpensive, sweet way to get drunk that appeals to young people on a binge.
Posts: 820 | Location: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 28 June 2006
Originally posted by WSB: A snippet from the National Trust magazine. At their last AGM they debated the proposition that Britain's greatest contribution to civilization is the public footpath. The motion was carried.
A I second that vote. It's the amazing footpaths that connect with everything; the wandering off for an hour, a day or a week, knowing you will be walking paths people care about, paths that cross gorgeous views, cliffs, backyards, and other peoples' woods that makes me love this nation.
I have a wonderful horse (Archie) and we enjoy riding out in the fields and trails here in Massachusetts. Increasingly, we find our way blocked by hunters, new houses across old cart paths, and snowmobile/quad bike trails with dangerous, loud machines all year long. There is no right of way, no rights at all. In fact we are proud in this nation that we "own" land and can hang bright yellow no trespassing signs that keep walkers on old trails, out. Sad.
I'd have voted for Australia as the #1 contribution - a wonderful country with outgoing and funloving people; of course their seasons are backward, water goes down the drain backward, and they always get to New Year's before we do...
Posts: 738 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
I would say the birth of modern railways, which allowed people of every class, race and continent to travel freely. It is somewhat sad to see the UK being outstripped in rail development by Europe and Asia.
Funny, Kim -- I thought when you mentioned the "cozy" that you were talking about another of Britain's greatest contributions to civilization - the tea cosy! Here's one appropriate to the season:
Judy
Posts: 3899 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Yes - keeps the tea hot whilst it brews. They look like woolly hats with opposing slits in the side for the spout and the handle to poke through. Not quite as universal as they once were.
NB: Comparing someone's winter hat to a tea cosy is not a compliment (unless they were going for that effect )
Posts: 1400 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
), but that's not exactly accurate. What Americans call "hard cider" is simply "cider" in Britain. In Britain, "real cider" is to "cider" more or less as "real ale" is to "ale." It's made the traditional way--with no added carbonation, flavorings, or other additives--as distinct from the mass-market stuff, which has acquired a bit of a bad reputation as an inexpensive, sweet way to get drunk that appeals to young people on a binge.
(really need icon of rotten apple being thrown, here).
