Pictures Of English Oddities
77First of all, I guess I should explain that the items pictured here may only be "oddities" to me. They're actually things I find fascinating more than odd I suppose. I'm quite sure the English wouldn't find them very odd at all.
I have lived in Texas all my life and the photos I'm sharing with you were taken by me on one of two trips I made to England in 2006.
I have shared these photos with family and friends as I recalled the fun I had while in England. These are things you won't typically find around Texas. I'm not sure if you'd expect to see them where you're from, but either way, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
They still bring a smile to my face.
Traffic Control in Work Zones
I was really fascinated by this concept. We don't have anything like it in Texas. Notice the un-manned light system that lets each side know when it's their turn to go through this construction area. It's brilliant! We spend thousands of tax dollars placing real men out there in orange vests carrying tattered orange flags to wave you through the area. I'm sure Pam Roberson would prefer the manned cone method. You'll have to read her hub "Seduction in a Construction Zone" to appreciate that comment.
Innocent Drinks Advertising Van
I thought this was an unusual way to advertise your product. This van was parked in the parking lot of a Tesco supermarket. I guess he has to use his side mirrors to see what's behind him.
Faggots on the Menu
Faggots are traditional English dish similar to meatballs. It's customary to eat them with peas (mushy peas). We tend to use the word in America in a more derrogatory manner. Please don't send me hate mail. It's just comical to see in writing, that's all.
Feeding the Swan in the Lake District
I don't believe I've ever seen a swan in Texas. I'm sure there are some somewhere, but we don't normally find them on the shores of our lakes willing to eat bread from your hand. That's my daughter feeding them. I have no idea what the big sign says anymore, probably something about "Don't Feed the Swan". Just kidding.
Military Tanks in Training on the Roundabout
I was surprised to see a military tank in front of us on the roundabout. My husband pointed out that it's not just any tank, it's displaying an "L" on the back to indicate it's a "Learner" driving it! Yikes!
Squeezing in to Tight Spots
I just love all the small vehicles (pronounced in Texas as ve-HICK-uls) in England. In Texas, we seem to think bigger is better. Check out this delivery van that seems to just fit between the two buildings. It's the skinniest van I've ever seen.
HSBC Branch Locations
In Texas, I'm used to seeing large multi-story glass and chrome bank branches. This tiny HSBC branch location (I believe this one is in Padstow in Cornwall) seems like a fixture centuries old. Notice the ATM machine on the wall? It's just so cute and quaint.
Incredibly Narrow Roads
This roadway is so narrow. Notice how close the stripes are painted next to the buildings. That's how close they drive to the buildings. You cannot step out of one of these businesses without the fear of being run over. Notice someone has parked their electronic wheelchair on the side.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did taking them. If you ever get a chance, you really should visit England. It's more affordable than you think. In March 2006, I was able to fly roundtrip non-stop from DFW to London Gatwick Airport for less than $400.
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Thanks LM! No spewing today, eh?
No, but then I didn't have any comments about my third eye, hooked nose and warted chin to make me laugh, either.
I really did enjoy this hub.
I loved all the "Odd" things I saw in Europe. Everyone really should try to visit other cultures. You can learn so much about your own. Very much fun!
Thanks LM, you forgot that the warts on your chin were hairy. Warts just aren't very scary unless they have that one thick hair portruding out of it.
Thanks Christoph! Did you ever get that song you were looking for? I hated to call them oddities, because they're quite normal to the English, I'm sure. But, for me, they were odd. Glad you enjoyed some odd things in your travels to Europe as well. I highly recommend European travel!
I was trying to forget, but you just keep bringing it up.....
You're too much fun, KCC!
LOL.....fun is what makes the world go around.....well...that and the whole gravational pull, moon, sun and galaxy stuff.
Here have a snow cone.
Well they looked perfectly normal to me! (check my profile)
Funny hub.
Makes sense to me, Gypsy! I left a comment on one of your Wales hubs. I love the picture of Tintern Abbey. It's beautiful. I love it there. Thanks for stopping by, I knew my UK friends wouldn't find anything odd about the photos. LOL
Gotta love Europe and our curious European ways, KCC! :-) I once saw an army truck full of soldiers with a L sing on the back, and upon closer inspection, I realized the guy riding shotgun was testing the driver :-) I guess they do the tests under real life circumstances! Laugh!
You do have an eye for the odd! :) And faggots and mushy peas? Sounds really quite unappetising...shudder.
I know, Elena! Roundabouts are scary enough for me without having a tank driver learning to drive on one too!
Faggots remind me of maggots and that is certainly not appetizing sounding!
Thanks Elena and Feline Prophet for stopping by!
Good old England. I see most of this on a daily basis and being as odd as my country do not bat an eyelid. When you look at it all on here though it does look barmy. My hubby loves faggots, but I am glad to say the eating kind :)
Hi,
I loved looking at your pics, living in England I don't really see these as oddities. Although, now you come to mention it I see what you mean about faggots. I hope you tried some - they are delicious!
Kerry
You reminded me of how strange I thought Japan was when I first went there. . . thanks for this look through another's eyes. Perspective, perspective, perspective! Love it!
This is great! We have a few swans here, mostly geese, of all species. You NEVER want to hand-feed geese..mean mean mean birds. They'd just as soon attack as fly!
Being another UK resident I've never really thought of these things as oddities, but it's refreshing to see the observations of people visiting your country. You brought back some memories of school dinners, as they sometimes used to serve faggots. They really are pretty disgusting!
Thanks for stopping by folks!
Ethel & Kerry: LOL...I wish I had tried them while I was there.
Teresa: That's it...it's all about perspective. I guess that's a writer's greatest challenge, to make others see his/her perspective on a topic.
Candie: I've heard that about geese!
Moon Daisy: I'm sure you'd find lots of oddities here! So many opinions on faggots! Good? bad? wish I had tried them now!
I enjoyed this Hub. It is well done. Cheery Oh!
Thank you very much, James! Glad you enjoyed it! I remember mentioning to you about Tintern Abbey. Gypsy Willow has a great hub that has the most beautiful view of Tintern Abbey in Wales. Here's the link: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Beauty-of-Wales
And a pack of fags are 20, (or 25) cigarettes!
So true, TOF! I just didn't have a photo for those! How the heck you been?
Chipper thanks KCC (See, I can talk Limey too!)
A man of many talents you are! Glad to see you!
Oh yes, it was Gypsy Willow's fine Hub at the link above that inspired me to create me own about my trip to Wales.
Oh wow, that's cool James! Because it was YOUR hub that inspired this one.
It seems quaint and funny but you should try living there for 40 years like I did, it is certainly not much fun. You are taxed to death, the so called free medical care that you actually (through stealth taxes) pay a fortune for is so bad you only dare use it in a total emergency, I have some real horror stories. The English people are generally good, but they like to fight for no reason whatsoever, a wrong look is all it takes, how do I know? I am one of them. The society is so oppressive with the communist regime in charge, freedom of speech or anything else does not exist, that's why I left, real shame, it used to be a great palce.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience Business email. I've only visited there and married an Englishman. All I know is Texas. I love Texas. Does it have faults? You betcha. I hope you're happy wherever you are now.
There are certainly some very interesting pictures here and I am sure if you were in the UK for much longer you would get even more unusual/crazy pictures of British things etc (think Morris dancing or chasing a massive cheese down a hill). Near me there is a bank branch which is even smaller than the one you show, and looks even more unlike a bank. There is also an extremely narrow road probably smaller than the one in your picture which is on a major bus route with 8 or more buses an hour going along it-despite the fact that they only fit through once they have put their wingmirrors in!
Thanks BristolBoy! I'll have to ask my husband about the Morris dancing or chasing cheese! Frankly the roads scare me to death with their narrowness. The hedgerows make it even worse!
You can't be good old fashioned Cornish hedges and their equivalent elsewhere. They are stone walls retaining soil and can be many feet high, with normal hedging/bushes growing out of the top. Should imagine they are very nasty, especially if you crash into them at 60mph (which is the speed limit on many single track roads!).
Faggots truly are delicious, a bit like a big fluffy pork meat ball in a rich gravy. I loved them as a kid, and I still love them now, plus they are an inexpensive meal. :)
you can add my UK beach hut to the list then!
Well Malco, I did head over to check out your UK beach hut. I do find it interesting how UKers still insist on being on top of one another. I know it's a space issue, but in Texas we enjoy our privacy too much to be that close together. Even more so on vacation (holiday)! Here's a link to malco's hut http://hubpages.com/hub/Beach-Hut-Heaven
Yeah, did you notice though, there was nobody there! Get the timing right, and you get the beach to yourself. i.e. avoid weekends.
You are right though, we do congregate!
I did notice that. Looked sorda like a ghost town. I kept expecting to see some tumbleweeds roll along the beach there. LOL
Nice pics! The drink van is just bizarre. It makes me think of the dog van on Dumb & Dumber. As for the work zone careful where you show that since many people could lose a really simple job here in the states with that info.
Great hub - they don't look at all odd to me, and it's great to see what does look strange!
Thanks Camping Dan! I loved the van, such a cute way to advertise. We love wasting money here in the states, don't we? That unmanned light system was awesome.
Thanks for stopping by, I'll have to go check out some of your hubs since I don't remember seeing you around.
LG....thanks! Looks like home to you, doesn't it? LOL I knew all you UKers would get a kick out of what us 'foreigners' think is odd. You'd likewise have a field day here.
I'm sure I would, you get used to the things around you, they are "normal"
snicker snicker..faggots and peas
Behave.....LOL
LOL...that too, LG!
Nice hub. You might enjoy some of our wacky comedians - Bill Bailey and Eddie Izzard are both very funny on English oddities.
Jon Green
Yes, Jon, my husband introduced me to Bill Bailey. I do like him. I don't think I've heard anything on Eddie Izzard but I'll look him up! Thanks!
You're being far to kind! There's plenty of wierder stuff we do over here!
LOL...Give me a break Sufgatinho! I was only in England a total of 8 days I think. We drove over 2000 miles during that time and there's only so much a gal can see! LOL But, I'll make you a deal. If you write THAT hub, I'll put a link here to it. Deal?
Is that outdoor carpeting covering the innocent drink van? I love it. Hand it to the Brits, they sure know how to be cute.
Yes, I think it is, Dolores! Made to look like grass. We thought it was cute too.
I really enjoyed your hub, thank you!
Thank you, Scramblingman!
This hub so reminds me of home, it would be so nice just to pop into that cafe and order that £3.95 special faggots are a special favourite of my husband and son yummy!
I remember one trip to the USA when my husband got off the highway to go and see Billy the kids grave at one point on the way we passed under a very ordinary looking bridge that had a plaque that stated 'An historic bridge built 1937' we fell about laughing at this our house was older than the bridge, we did think for a while about getting a plaque made for the house saying 'An historic house built 1935' lol loved the hub.
My husband would be laughing right there with you Maggs! Back when he and I were first chatting online and I was describing my town to him, we figured out that the town I live in was founded much later than when his flat was built! We think houses are ancient if they were built in the late 1800s.
I love to learn...this was interesting and fun! Thanks! :)
I'm so glad you stopped by Tom and that you found it fun and interesting!
Lively pictures! Good hub.
LOL..thanks Lewj! Thanks for breathing some life into this old hub. It's one I enjoyed creating, but it's be lying rather dormant lately. :)
Laughing Mom 2 years ago
I saw the title and braced myself for God only knew what.
These are more than oddities and most definitely more than interesting!
I took the boy for another snow cone today, and managed to keep it in the cup this time. I knew you'd be proud.