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I was reading a travel blog about an English guy whose work assignment had him traversing the globe on a container ship from the UK round to China then back via the USA to the UK. At one point after being in the Pacific for days with no land in sight, rough seas and nothing but rain and grey skies in winter, his spirits sank pretty low. He then posted this pic (shown below) and said something like "this is where I wish I was right now".
I also could picture myself sitting out on that front patio drinking a beer on a beautiful English summer day having great conversation with friends. The UK has some amazing countryside with a high standard of living and best of all a pub culture we just don't have in the US. When I think of a rural lifestyle in the US, this kind of picture doesn't come to mind. Rural Americans tend to be very religious, non-drinking types. I think a retired life in this kind of village in the UK would be pretty decent.
Anyone over there ever been to this place? I haven't but wish I could pop in there every week. It's called the Half Moon Pub. I'm pretty sure it might be near Chelmsford(Essex).
The UK does have some beautiful places... the trouble is, it's rarely "a beautiful English summer day" that allows you to sit outside! And be aware that pubs like the one in this photo are not your "usual" pubs - that's a particularly beautiful one - most don't have thatched roofs.
And it's also true the US doesn't have the pub culture the UK does... but that does not mean the US does not have beautiful rural towns too. They're just different.
Another thing over here Tom that is fabulous are the canals and the towpaths beside them - they are one of my favourite places to walk because the paths are scenic and you get to see all the narrow boats.
As a matter of fact I went on a bike ride to Essex with a friend of mine on Tuesday and stopped off for a drink at this old village pub here in North Weald (photo taken on a previous visit), but didn't sit outside because of April showers. I've been to Chelmsford recently too and it is a very nice place. Thanks for this thread (and to all the sad bastards on this forum who get enjoyment out of moaning about various aspects of British people and life - don't bother!) as I love the romanticised image of a pastoral English life too. I enjoyed my time abroad but am perfectly content in the knowledge that I couldn't permanently live anywhere else but here. A lot of the picturesque rural villages which almost all have those kind of pubs are being or have been gentrified by retirees or second home owners which push prices beyond the reach of younger locals and spoil them as true living communities, but at least it's in the interest of the people moving in to preserve the rustic charm of them.
The UK does have some beautiful places... the trouble is, it's rarely "a beautiful English summer day" that allows you to sit outside! And be aware that pubs like the one in this photo are not your "usual" pubs - that's a particularly beautiful one - most don't have thatched roofs.
And it's also true the US doesn't have the pub culture the UK does... but that does not mean the US does not have beautiful rural towns too. They're just different.
The UK doesn't get the same summer we do, but I don't care if it was 70F and cloudy, I'd still very much enjoy sitting there.
The Cotswolds has dozens of pubs just like that too, usually right on the village green or with a large garden to sit in and guzzle scrumpy and eat Ploughman's lunches (boy, does he get pissed ).
It is the same here in Ireland. We have these sort of pubs in our countryside too. Thats a good thing about Ireland and the UK. We have great pubs in our countryside.
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) as I love the romanticised image of a pastoral English life too. I enjoyed my time abroad but am perfectly content in the knowledge that I couldn't permanently live anywhere else but here. A lot of the picturesque rural villages which almost all have those kind of pubs are being or have been gentrified by retirees or second home owners which push prices beyond the reach of younger locals and spoil them as true living communities, but at least it's in the interest of the people moving in to preserve the rustic charm of them.
).
