I’m nearly old enough to be your grandmother but I still haven’t given up on my lifelong dream to make it to England someday. In the meantime I’m really enjoying all your posts. Thanks for the postcard!
England is great. I liked the countryside guesthouses. Lots of discounts for "pensioners"= retired people of a certain age. Be prepared for rain and cool weather. Take walking shoes. You will have so much fun.
Kendal mint cake is so sweet because it was marketed towards walkers and climbers as easily carried emergency rations providing lots of energy. Fun video as always.
My grandmother was originally from Sheffield, and whenever we went back to the UK to visit family, she would smuggle back food. When she got too old to travel, she made the rest of us do it whenever we went over. Every time I came back to the US, I'd be smuggling enough chocolate digestive biscuits that I expected to be tackled by a swat team at any moment. When our local market started carrying McVitie's, I think it was the beginning of a new life for her.
So cute! We do miss the strangest, small things lol For me, no matter what country I lived in I took in my suitcase a box of stovetop stuffing mix, box of mac and cheese, pack of instant sweet potatoes, dry milk, can of pumpkin, and can of sweet potatoes. Instant Thanksgiving dinner. (Always went to USA for Xmas)
The BritRailPass for 15 days is really a tremendous buy. I was the envy of all my English friends as I just walked onto any train I felt like taking. And despite everyone's ritual moans about how the British rail system has declined, to an American it's unbelievably reliable, omnipresent, and useful.
I'm from Missour in the U.S.A. i..to us..a city bus is a unbelievable convenience..even though I was raised to believe you wouldn't 'be caught dead on one!"..that changes very rapidly when your vehicle breaks down!
The US rail system is notoriously primitive, extremely limited, slow and unreliable. Rumour has it that by the 23rd century, they will have a train that runs at nearly 160 km/h! I live in Spain where we have one of the fastest, most modern systems in the world with trains running at up to about 350 km/h.
I loved those when I lived in Glasgow, they are provided by Scotrail which is only slightly better than the service down south (bus and train, what luxury haha). My experience is Germany has the most reliable rail system in Europe, and it was the first time I was able to buy a ticket without having to talk to anyone. The London tube system tho, oh that was wild my first experience as a kid from a small Scottish town.
Laurence..sir..I just viewed your video of your trip back home..Grimsby! The reunion with your parents! I now can see why are the kind of person you are!..you come from 'good stock'! Honest, modest, hardworking people that have seen life and have met its challenges! I don't cry..but when your mother hugged you..there was a stray tear!!!!..(my cat must have been slicing onions..)
Love the UK. About 5 years ago I went to London, Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon, Bath, Salisbury, Wales, Brighton, Leeds, and Stonehenge. Glad u and your wife had a great time and thank you for responding to my last comment it's an honor. Love your videos and I subscribed.
Yay! 🙌HELLO! I've been looking foward to these videos. 👏 I've never been to England however I can't wait to visit. For now I live vicariously through your videos.☺❤
The Yorks motto ie the "do owt for nowt" translates to: Hear all, see all, say nothing; Eat all, drink all, pay nothing; And if ever you do anything for nothing - always do it for yourself. I'm a Yorkie lass born and bred lol
My mom was from York. Her family owned the home she was born in in 1926 to 1991. 5 St. Peter’s grove. We stayed there ever time we visited. It is now a bed and breakfast so we can still stay there. My mom use to say as a child she would have the minister to herself.
Yorkshire people are tight with money. They are not ungenerous, but they won't tolerate extravagance or waste. The “throwaway society” is inimical to them. They will have drawers or sheds full of things which “might come in useful”. String on parcels is carefully undone and kept for future use, and similar for the wrapping paper or boxes that make them up. We will re-use envelopes for letters; the ashes from the fire were riddled to get the ash to put on the allotment, while the cinders were kept to put on the path when it was snowing or icy. If the coal would contain a “dog” (or “a nigger in the woodpile” - nothing offensive here, just a rock that was black, but wasn't coal and could not burn) it would be taken back to the coal merchant with a vociferous complaint. On the other hand, a Yorkshireman will give you his last crust of bread if he thinks you need it more than he does.
WOW you guys traveled at exactly the right time!! So glad guys got from travel before covid and experience freedom and fun just before the doom and gloom! ❤️👍
The "Mint Cake" appeared to taste as appetizing as British Flap Jacks, meaning that they taste horrible. I love many British foods, drinks and snacks,but Flap Jacks are not one of them. That is a lovely dress, Tarah. I am happy you got it. When you return,Tarah, you be sure to go to Whitby and get a lovely piece of Jet jewelry. So happy you went to the Jorvik center. I am happy there is still that nifty little ride through time. And finally you can not leave Britain without a tea towel, and you have three. Well done.
You can get that jam brand here. In my health food store. Can get ribena at krogers here. Use Ribena for my sno cone maker. Love your vintage style. Me too.
I hope Laurence & Tarah saw your comment: yeah: they sell that brand even at Wal-Mart! I was surprised to see it there myself. I bought some when I went to France in 1998 because the French people I was with said it was nice & I should take it home. Being 16: what did I know. & I was underwhelmed when eating the jams that they tasted like any other jam. I wonder if the brand is French since it says "Bonne Maman".
After eat all is "sup all" meaning drink everything So it should be: See all and , hear all but Say nothing and Eat all. Drink everything, but pay nothing And if you ever do anything for nothing do it for yourself.
I've been to Viking centre in York..years back but loved the ride and the bit of history...i was 26 then. And those Brit rail passes are awesome! Would never go without one ever...
I grow native southern California plants in my gardens. The U.S. has many native currant and gooseberry species. In most states that do ban Ribes species, it is only the European black currant that is banned. There are a few states that ban every Ribes: New Hampshire, North Carolina, West Virginia, some counties in Maine, permits needed in Massachusetts. California has many native Ribes species (Google: Currants and Gooseberries native to California). American black currant (Ribes americanum) is native to the Chicago area, and is even spineless. You should grow it in your garden.
You must have some mad packing skills-My God! I need the carry on just for my makeup and personal items alone! There is no frickin’ way I could ever-in a million years-live for two weeks out of a carry on. Do you do laundry in your sink every night? Wow. That is indeed impressive.
Tarah your green dress is very lovely. I like it alot. Those jam jars are so teeny weeny, are you going to talk about why you guys had a hard time with customs? I know I would like to hear about it.
Hi. You do realise that Kendal Mint cake is an survival energy block for hikers to caught out on the moors. Too much energy in them to eat as candy, normally.
Thank you to you both! I thoroughly enjoy watching you and hearing you guys talk about your trip and what you brought back. I don’t know what it is about you two, but your videos put me in a good mood and listening to you two get along so well as a couple is like a breath of fresh air to my soul.
Sadly, I've never been to England, but when my sister went years ago, she asked what I'd like her to bring back for me. My first response was to bring me back an Englishman, but my second choice was one of each coin. Still waiting for a British guy, but I do have the coins.
SCBJQ 😂 Funny enough this is exactly why i’m going to England for! Already have one, just need to get there... eventually. I wish you luck and patience... tons of patience.
Tara looks great! England really agreed with her! I see that I bring the same stuff home from Holland. Team Holland jerseys, and Oranjeboom t-shirts. Not a single windmill in my house. Not a one.
Your logic is equal to my husband's. Me:Why didn't you put that away. He: I did. Me:Where is it? He: In the fridge. Me:Why? It doesn't go there. He: I didn't know where it went. Me: You got it out. So yes you did. He: I forgot. Toothpaste fudge. Somehow not appealing. I recognized the character, Lawrence. I just don't remember why. Monty Python? We had a red currant bush in our back yard when I was a kid. You can get those jelly jars in Lancaster County. I have a few.
Lawrence, you pronounce apricot correctly, it's a-pri-cot. I was born and raised in the US Apricot Capital -- Santa Clara County -- now better known as Silicon Valley. Anyone who says ap-ri-cot has very likely never seen an apricot tree -- it's just something they've heard about.
How does she have an all American accent and you have , motherland accent? Are you a couple, did you meet in U.S or England? How nice. Americans are fascinated with Europeans, I wld like to snag me a Euro. 😜🤩
Hi! I’m originally from California, and grew up in the vicinity of many apricot orchards. In CA we say: APE - rih - cott, just like the British do. I guess in the U.S. pronunciation can be quite regional. Love your fun “what I got on my vacation” video, especially Tarah’s green dress and antique hatpin! More than that, it’s just fun to listen to you two chatting...
I remember airport security stopping me with my jar of jam once headed back to the U.S. "Oh all liquids in carry-ons have to be under (such and such) amount." "Well, it's jam," I said. "But we can't allow liquids of that amount in your carry on." I stared at him a moment. "Its jam. I've never seen a liquid jam. Have you?" And with that logic he let me through.
Lucky! We tried to bring a chocolate paste. They threw it in the garbage! I asked if we could just go back and eat it(make sandwiches). They refused. So sad.
@@momoftwosweetkids Wow. Sometimes it's because of what's in an item too. Though I can't imagine what would be in chocolate paste. I'm afraid if I'd been confronted with this dilemma I would have quickly opened it up and shoveled a good wad of it in my mouth "There it's food! Would you like some too?" I wouldn't normally do something like that in an airport but sometimes...LOL
UK Items smuggled into Chicago: 1. Two Bowler Vintage items: A dress and a sweater. 2. Manchester United programmes. 3. Hatpins (For utility purposes only, with caps.) 4. "Everything You Know About England Is Wrong" book. 5. An "Allotment Gardener" magnet. (World War II on the Home Front memorabilia.) 6. Ceramic thimbles from York. 7. A "Jorvik Past Port" for the Viking Centre. 8. Honey's Kendal Mint Cake. (Looks like peanut brittle?) 9. BritRail England 15 Day Consecutive Pass. (Also a paper ticket.) 10. Tea Towels from the Shambles market. (Yorkshire Pudding recipes rampant, and A Yorkshireman's Motto. ) **Sorry, my Yorkshire dialect unscrambler was put away when PBS' "All Creatures Great And Small" and the "James Herroit" tales ended 11. Jam jars from across the UK. (From Marmalade to Black Currant.!) 12. Enamel pins. (RSPB donation premiums.) 13. Foreign exchange! (UK coins, ready to confuse U.S. vending machines.)
Cadbury chocolate! How could you not bring that back? Yes, it's made in the US as well, but it tastes different (not nearly as good!). I'll never forget my first trip to Britain and deciding to eat a Cadbury bar. What a difference. I swooned! Please: next time, I'd appreciate a roasted almond Cadbury bar. Thanks in advance.
If you do anything for nothing do it for yourself 🤣 Trust a yellow belly not to know simple Tyke language 🤣🤣 and I’ve never heard any Yorkshire accent sound like that 🤣🤣🤣❤️
I'm from England and I went to York years ago on a school trip. York is a lovely place to visit. And I love the old cobble streets and all the history that goes with it. I do hope that the both of you had a fantastic time there
Do they do allotments in America? I thought that was a uniquely British thing. The teatowel said (basically) if you ever do anything for free, do it for yourself. Thissen = thy sen = yourself.
I’m still curious if you experienced any Reverse Culture-shock while back in the UK. I have used those rail passes and yes they are great. Bye the way, I will be in London (Love London) probably at the end of this month and again in September! I’ve been several times before. Really looking forward to it! Love Black Currant too. I live abroad so I can get it whenever I want.
My mother taught me to always buy tea towels as my own souvenir because they pack so close...everything else we shipped thru the post, expensive, but it all arrived safely so Well Done Posties everywhere!
Laurence I bet when you first heard Mr Brightside by The Killers I bet you thought the band was incredibly British. I am from Michigan and I thought The Killers were British and was blown away when I found out they were from Las Vegas.
We've got Blackcurrant flavoured soda/pop called Cassis in The Netherlands. So when you said they didn't have blackcurrants in the US I went for a Google. It appears Cassis is not a thing in the UK either, buy they have a drink called "cider and black". Which is (hard) cider with blackcurrant cordial . That sounds great. Edit: Also, Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke were never big here and I only heard about Grape soda a few years ago. Never seen that here. I wonder if that is in part because we had Cassis.
Blackcurrants are almost completely unknown in the US, for a simple reason: It was discovered that they carried Pine Blight which was a serious threat in the Northeast, so it's cultivation was banned nationwide around 1900. There are a few places where it's being cultivated, but no one knows about it, and there isn't any blackcurrant-flavored anything in the US. Doesn't help when you're a Yank like me who got hooked on Ribena, costs a bloody fortune here.
Her eyeglasses are something from the PRIOR previous century. (19th century, not 20th. 1800-1899) They're almost IDENTICAL to my great-great grandmother's. And grandmother. And for a while, my mother. Getting vapors and swooning, are we?
Sounds like y'all had fun!🤗 Yes, I say y'all from Texas. Tara I love your vintage clothes. Love your spectacles too. Love your minty cake faces!!! I must donate very soon. Totally sincere.❤
“See all, hear all Say nothing, eat all Drink all, pay nothing And if you ever do something for nothing Do it for yourself ( or you).” That’s from 3 years of Medieval Studies from an American in MA.😁 Yes, we do have black currant, but usually from a specialty store. My husband loves it. Red currant can be bought at a supermarket.
I love Kendal mint cake although I haven't eaten it for years. You used to be able to get it in brown or white depending on which sugar was used. Great as an emergency food for walkers up in the Lake District in case you get into difficulty.
My British mother always brought back Wheatabix. We brought back Chocolate. However my middle sister always brought back Marks and Spencer girls underpants.
Just now watching (4 years late)- if I could fill my suitcase with M&S shortbread and butter & treacle toffee from the shop in Penrith, I would! (Also, while "up" in Penrith, visit the Lake District and the Pennines- most beautiful places in U.K.)
This old vid was more enjoyable, , because Mrs Lawrencr. Appeared. Why can't we have some 2023 videos, with this attractive woman, appearing occasionally ?
“Ear all, see all, say nowt; Eyt all, sup all, pay nowt; And if ivver tha does owt fer nowt - Allus do it fer thissen” - Yorkshireman's motto Translation: "Hear all, see all, say nothing" (I.E. don't speak ill of people but keep the info for yourself) "Eat all, drink all, pay nothing" (I.E. get food & drink for free wherever possible) "And if ever you do something for nothing, do it for yourself" (I.E. be selfish)"
