Carrots on Sticks
Photographed in 1941, when rationing meant children has to settle for less appetizing treats than they were used to (Great Britain).
The Old Ferry Boat Might Be the Oldest Pub In the UK
The Old Ferry Boat makes a reasonably good claim to being the oldest pub in Great Britain. They have been serving fermented beverages here since the 6th century and parts of the Inn date to the 10th century. Alcohol was definitely served on the site from 560, and archaeological records date the foundations back at least a further hundred years. But beyond that, it’s difficult to get conclusive proof of its actual age.
A little girl’s grave stone is ten feet from the corner of the bar and dates to the 11th century. The pub is right on the river and boaters turn up with some regularity.
Address: Back Lane, Holywell PE27 4TG, England
Changes in Britons Shopping Habits; Disposable Fast Fashion is Falling Out of Favour
Retail chain John Lewis’s first report on its customers’ shopping habits, published on 31 October 2013, reveals that Britons have become both more tradition-minded and more individualistic under pressure of recession and a halting recovery. Disposable “fast fashion” is falling out of favour; things that last and have a pedigree are coming in.
There seems to be a national yearning for cosiness. Sales of board games like Bananagrams (a Scrabble-like game) are up 17% on last year. Baking is in: John Lewis sold 29% more bread makers and 70% more cooling racks in the past year. Despite the ubiquity of smartphone cameras, photo frames and expensive cameras are in demand.
Britons mostly shop as one country, but there are some regional variation, most notably in women’s underwear buying habits. Welsh women are especially partial to red lingerie while north-westerners go in for thongs and G-strings. Knickers aside, united by appalling and unpredictable weather, for 80% of items, there is little regional variation in what Britons buy.
Get the full story: How Britain shops – Looking backward, The Economist
Language Travel Guide to London – South Bank Sites and the Tate Modern
Verbalists Language Travel Guide to London
We continue to make London come alive with its language programs and wonderful stories and videos made by famous Rick Steves, one of the main supporters of our communication and language network. This week we explore the South Bank sites.
READ MORE