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I think Britons appreciate the architecture and history but more so in other places in Britain rather than the local version. And on a side note, I also watch David Pakman's American political channel and Blinkist is his longest sponsor and although I like the concept of it, I always assumed that it was for Americans if getting it linked to his channel but now that I see you recommend it, I just signed up. And on the other side note, I have had a jokey gift for you for about two years now Alanna but do not know how to get it to you. Do you have a P. O. Box that I can sent it to, or a care of address that is not your home or works, as although I myself know that I am not a weirdo (well not that weird anyway) I do appreciate that you have to be careful.
Great vlog!!!! By the way do you watch the Ken Continuem vlogs, where he covers Toronto and other great places in Canada!!!! He's got such a great voice for broadcasting, i don't know why he's not doing it professionally!!!! He is so so good, like your good self. 😊.
It’s lovely to hear someone so positive about their experience about living in the UK. So many people seem to criticize and constantly complain about theUK that it’s refreshing to hear so many nice things you say. We know that the UK is not perfect by any means but most of us are proud to be British and very proud of our beautiful country.
What I love about the Brits(Greek here) :-Witty humour and the people's mentality in general -History(you have lots of things to be proud of) -Architecture -Pub culture -Preservation of your traditions -Greeeeeeen landscapes -Bumble bees -Steak ,kidney and ale pie
@@kimarnill7648 That's so very sweet of you Kim.God bless Wales I wouldn't get through some days if it weren't for Welsh currant bakestones 🇬🇷🏴❤️
Hey Alanna, one very British thing I didn't hear mentioned was to be sitting in a pub having a pint and someones big fluffy dog wanders over to say hello to you. You just can't beat a big fluffy dog can you. 🍺🐕😊
Saw a joke the other day that said in some countries (especially the US and Canada), you can drive for 4 hours and still be pretty much in the same place. In the UK you can drive 4 hours and have gone though 5 different accents and now bread rolls are called something different.
In the UK you can drive the entire length of the mainland (Britain), Lands End to John O Groats, in as little as 15 Hours, and pass through 3 Countries (England, Wales & Scotland), each with their own Languages.
I went to Texas once, and asked how long it take me to drive to AZ (to see the Grand Canyon) and the guy looked at me like I was mad, and said if you head that way for about a day you'll reach the border with AZ. Same in Canada, when I drove up to the North Western Territories, the scale of the US and Canada is just mind blowing to a Brit.
I was at a National Trust Property recently and there was a functioning dove cote, that was just as it was when it was built in the 13th century. I realised that that one structure was older than anything built in North America.
I remember reading in one of Bill Bryson's books that there were more 18th century buildings in his village in Yorkshire than in the whole of North America.
Hi from the US. Steve, the North American continent in the regions of what is now the US and Canada wasn't settled by Europeans until the 1600's. There were just what we now call "Old Growth Forests" (huge trees) and migrating Native Americans on the land. There was no agriculture as we know it today. Although territories were claimed by the British, the French and the Dutch, the wealthy patrons who ruled these provinces like kings did not live here because it was too primitive. If you had immigrated here through the 1700's, you would have likely been a subsistence farmer who knew how to build a modest log cabin in the German or Scottish manner for housing. In the developing cities, in the 18th Century there would be some brick or stone housing, most of it not at all elegant, but most of the housing for those not rich in, for example, New York City, was built of wood until 1832 when building with wood was banned due to all the fires that they caused. These cities are lucky enough to have some grand homes and institutions built in the 1700's, but not many, and many that were built then did not survive. Most of what had been built before 1700 wasn't worth keeping. Most of my ancestors came to the US from the British Isles before 1852 and I'm interested in the old buildings and cottages you have there. I hope to visit the UK again to see more historic buildings and all the beautiful gardens. Treasure what you have!!
@@fatbelly27 Thank you for this information! I wasn't thinking that the oldest building would be in the West, Sante Fe NM. Adobe structures aren't that permanent, but it seems this structure has been renovated many times so it has been continually maintained. I've been to Sante Fe and I remember being in a museum and other older buildings in the center of town, so it's quite possible I've been there myself in 1996.🙂
Moving to England next month from New York and I cannot wait ❤I’m so excited for a fresh start in a new place that I absolutely love. I’ve done a TON of research, visited several times and watched your videos and videos like yours, and while I know it won’t always be easy, and it’s not perfect- It’s definitely an improvement from what is going on in America right now ❤
Hi Alanna, congratulations on your new job at the UK tourist board. Seriously, it's uplifting to hear those positive thoughts about our country - especially in dark, cold January.
I’ve been uploading videos to my humble channel for years, all about the history and countryside, then, after the most spectacular day in the English countryside yesterday, a video of which I uploaded, I’ve decided to do a couple of videos a week just dedicated to a year of the English seasons, countryside and animals. Sounds naff, but I’m 68 and this will, hopefully, be something my kids can remember me by.
I love that people got annoyed that their town didn't make the cut in 'Crap towns in Britain' that the publisher then later on put out a "Crap towns in Britain 2"just to please the public that their town made it in. Can't beat our quirky humour :D
Alanna you spoil us, you really do, I mean it from my heart, there are some really good UA-camrs out there, but you are a breed apart, your kindness and generousity know no bounds, your weekly videos are something to be looked forward to, its not just you being kind though, it's how thoughtful you are, you occasionally say something not so wonderful about the UK, but when you do this it is always factual and said with good reason and without malace, the balance is always right, I have never known you to say anything that is a bit doubtful/dubious, you really are a ray of sunshine and long may it continue :)
I feel like Brits are the opposite of Americans when it comes to talking about their country. Americans love to talk about how great the US is and Brits love to talk about what they don't like about the UK. Both of these result in an unbalanced view of a place.
It's easy not to notice the history and culture around you. Some years ago an Australian guy I knew was in Paris on Bastille Day watching the parade and the amazing display of culture. There were two Americans in the crowd arguing about which of them was going to sit by the window on the plane home!
I love that even if I live in the middle of a modern city I know I’m only a short trip away from history, free museums, beautiful countryside and National Parks. Thank you for this wonderful list, Alanna!
@@AdventuresAndNaps Actually The Shire is supposed to be based on the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. If I remember correctly Tolkien's son was at school in the area. I've spent years driving about there, but the Hobbits seem to keep out of sight.
Great video! I like the fact that even though it is a relatively small island, the U.K. feels big when you're there. And you can get great falafel, Chinese and Indian takeout on every street corner!
I love the UK because I don't know anything else.i think most people love the land of their birth.i enjoy walking in the country side and if the weather is nice having a fab picnic to me thats like heaven! Thank you for the video.peace and love 💛
As a Brit, I worked in the U.S. for a few years. For 3 days I was like a kid at a circus, but on day 4 I had to "get up for work", and then it was just "normal" straight away!
cant beat it , so lucky to have been raised there, i have been away a few times in my youth for work , but always came back , i was raised in chesterfield and some really great places just a drive away
It's amazing. I live on the back of the fields and I walk in them nearly everyday and there are people who never do. Wow? I know secret footpaths that people haven't a clue about? Love it. So glad you get it. I could go on and on. Love your gratitude. ❤🤠💪👍🙏
We have a walk along a rocky coastline in Somerset near Selworthy, where we cross a stream to a sandy beach and water deep enough to swim or dive in at high tide. In the 50 years we’ve crossed that stream, it’s rare to see anyone else there, even in the height of summer. It’s not that we keep it a secret - we tell all the locals we meet, but they’re not interested, it involves wading, even though we tell them crossing the water is an inexplicable spine tingling event for both of us.
You know you're British when your friends greet you with what other cultures would consider insults. For example someone you haven't seen for a while shakes your hand while glancing down at your trousers and says in front of others "How's the ointment working, has the itch gone away?"
I can certainly relate to North Americans feeling like they are in a book while staying in the UK. The equivelant for us Brits (and I say this as one who has recently moved to small town New England) is that visitng the US/ Canada feels like you are on a giant movie set!
someone once said: if you are born in western Europe you have already won life's lottery (or something like that) and that's how I feel being British. I feel so lucky to live in a country where I don't have to worry about getting ill or not having children to look after me when I am old. I know our Country has many problems and is far from perfect but I would not want to live anywhere else.
@@monember2722 if I fall ill I won't have to worry about affording healthcare, it will be free, and when I am too old to look after myself I can go into a home and they will care for me.
Hiya Alanna, when I lived 6 miles from Whitehaven, it was a little village called St Bees, when the American and Canadians were in the village they could be heard from 1 mile away, how excited they were, where they had been that day, and where they were going the following day, it was all good fun, all the Brits had too shout to their friends even to be heard, what do you think of that, I like you sweater, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England
Very good video. As someone born and bred in the UK, I often say nothing positive about the place - only bad things, especially based over the past few years. But you forget all the things here that you just take for granted. Thanks for reminding me that it isn't all bad at all.
Beer. I love ale. I also love how much the UK has assimilated stuff from other cultures to create a hodge podge, eclectic, colourful and beautiful culture.
Yeah, it upsets me when this butts up against racism and xenophobia. Our immigrants are a huge part of what makes this country what it is and it breaks my heart to see all the anti immigrant sentiment
Really enjoying yr videos about the UK. Really amusing and kind of you. Sense of humour and our moaning about well...everything! Yes loads of lovely historic buildings. Thks again from Liverpool
Many, many thanks for being so nice to us Brits, very much appreciated. Just a small point regarding tea which you might appreciate, did you know that British Battle tanks have all got tea making facilities?
I've flown. I've had a 30 Yr experience of being a traveller. But that 'WOW' of 'grrreeen' coming into the UK. For our little 'tuft' it always supprise me 😊
I’ve lived in the U.K. for around 35 years. Agree about the food, there’s been a revolution here over the last few decades, the variety is possibly the greatest on earth. IMO too many “historic” U.K. towns, unlike those in Italy and France, have been trashed since WW2 but of course Cities such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath etc are incomparable . On the subject of cheese, only France has as good or better. For a small island the variety in landscape is incredible with Scotland having some of the most beautiful on Earth. Yes there are always things we don’t like but my life here has been overall incredible, no regrets at all.
The Pub, its struggling at the moment, and that is a huge shame, you can walk into a pub on your own, and before you know it you going around the area from pub to pub with a group of 5 to 10 people who are all having a fantastic time.
Bill Bryson is absolutely BRILLIANT ! In one of his books, he described the method of numbering British Roads. It was a laugh out loud moment, he is SO witty ! An American, he wrote Notes on a Small Island (Britain), Down Under('Strailia), the Road to Little Dribbling, 'One Summer - America 1927'.
It’s true we do take our history for granted but we are also proud of. My cousin used to own a bar next to the millennium bridge to St Paul’s called the Centre Page . This pub is in Charles Dickens and the oak bench seating is still exactly as if was . Locals came in for a drink and don’t think about it but he had coach loads of Americans visit to sit on a bench in history
How did nobody say "Bollocks" or "Bollox"? It is the dog's bollocks of words! Surely the greatest word in existence (and where, other than the UK, will you ever hear it (maybe Aus or NZ)?
I believe Canada was named after one of the Earls Carnarvon from Highclere Castle, the Estate used as Downton Abbey in the television series and subsequent movies.
Glad to see the music that comes out of the UK gets a mention! Hmm, an 'Alanna Rates Her Favourite British Bands'... could be a fun future video (he asked whilst being about as subtle as a large brick wall painted bright red...) 😉
If you haven't yet.. you must watch the tv show called Detectorists.... it's everything about British humour... like to know what you think about it?? Keep the vids coming!! Thank you!!
Sorry to hear that you were unwell over Christmas, but for future reference there are Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) in Whitstable and Herne Bay. The Herne Bay one isn't open Christmas Day, but I think the Whitstable one is. If you can't get an appointment with your GP, you can go to one of these and they're staffed by GPs. I think there's also one at Canterbury Hospital. :)
Humour - the art of being able to take the absolute piss out of somebody but knowing that it may come back on you, as much as being able to do it to yourself and being able to laugh at it again when the tale is retold.
I do love the countryside in the uk....I grew up in Lancashire, so literally within 2 hours of the Lake District and the Yorkshire dales, and right on the the edge of the Pennines
recently i found a new interest in our lost pagan history, trying to find out about the pre-christian uk is very interesting cause its so lost. its nice to imagine or guess at what culture they would've had, lots of mystery
I often feel like a tourist in my own city. I'm forever taking photos of places and buildings I've probably seen a thousand times before, so I totally understand what you mean about how important it is not to take your surroundings for granted!
Sometimes we need to hear this from people from other nations to remind us how lucky we are. As Bill Bailey points out in his shows the best you will get from a Brit about their country is that ‘it’s not too bad’ or ‘could be worse’.
I think one of the best things about the UK is the fact that everything is so "average" - we have a lot of weather, but nothing extreme, no volcanoes, no earthquakes, no tornadoes, etc. I've spent my entire 67 years here in the UK, so I haven't really got anything to compare it to...still glad I was born British though! 🙂🇬🇧
Well, we have had a few tornadoes over the years. Birmingham in 2005 was an EF2 on the Fujita scale but nothing like the utter monsters which rake the USA.
There's been at least two earthquakes in the UK in the last 20 years. They barely did anything, though, so you can be forgiven for not remembering them
Don't forget our wildlife is pretty average too. The only dangerous thing we have is a badger with tuberculosis and even then it's only the cows that are a bit worried!
Hi Alanna,as a”Brit”I think that I didn’t appreciate my country enough until I hear such comments from your viewers,and i think about how beautiful it is here,Obviously it is not perfect…where is?but I consider myself lucky to have been born, and brought up here.cheers.Roly 🇬🇧.
I would recommend going to your local non league football club. You'll find all walks of life from the local community there. Great places to spend a Saturday afternoon.
You are so right regarding our historical sites, i never thought about them until i became friendly with Americans through a fb tourist group, and i now appreciate our castles and how old our history is much much more, i’ve taken a few Americans on some small unoficial tours, just as friends though & not like a job
I think sometimes as Brits we can take all the history for granted sometimes, although as someone who has lived here his entire life i always appreciate the fact that I'm never too far away from a castle or historic landmark or building.
I'm British, and I could hardly disagree with any of the points raised, but what therefore do *I* love about Britain? All of those things to some extent - in particular, the walk through the green countryside with a pub trip appeals just as much to me as it does to you, Alanna - however, if I think deeply enough upon this matter, I find myself observing this: aside from all the main history, my own history is in Britain; my entire formative period was here, my past is here; I am quite a nostalgic person, so Britain is part of me and I'm part of it. Is that answer good enough?!
Hi, we've placed another order for scents from Edenbridge.....one for me, one for my significantly better half. We've had a few and without exception they've been great. Congratulations on the job - you're looking so happy lately.
Lovely video, Alanna! A bit more old school, this one and you seemed, I don't know... _happier_ somehow. The result of the new schedule, perhaps? Cheese? Cider? Whatever, a real pleasure to watch.
Why do you not like rain? It's a necessity of life. Also. Toronto gets more rain than London per year. Toronto = 831mm per year, London = 585mm per year. In fact it rains a lot more in a lot more places than it does in London per year! And here is a fun fact... Seattle gets more rain From Oct to Jan than London does all year. Thank you for the videos... very enjoyable... great job and keep it up :)
The countryside is the big winner for me, not only is it beautiful, there's so much of it, and we lack any dangerous predators. As much as i loved the national parks i visited in the US, the whole "beware of the bears/cougars/rattle snakes" thing kinda made relaxing in nature a lil trickier.
Yes, there's a saying that you have to eat it for it to kill you! Then again, the UK does actually have the highest density of poisonous plants (as in poisonous on ingestion) in western Europe, so that just proves my point!
So lovely to rediscover your channel. I thought you had left us! Your videos are like a burst of brilliant sunshine on a cold winter day. SO thought provoking. You make me think of every day things as if I am an explorer discovering things for the first time! Bless You!🤩
If you think England is green and rainy you should come over Ireland maybe the West of Ireland. I am living in Cork, however I was born and bred in England, folk are even friendlier over here, and rainy, lots of rain.
PUBS, Yes. My local use to be Stables and a Hotel of sorts in the 15th cen and became a Inn in 1743. Its been a Pub (per say) since 1821. However a few years ago I found out that before the building was constructed as a Stable, there was also a Church on the site (spooky) dating back to the 11th cen some time.
The Forestry Commission; who care for the publicly owned woodlands; one of which I live right next to and visit almost every day when the Bluebells are here!
Ha ha you made my proud to feel British and that's saying something 😉 But we forgot all the great firsts and inventions 😜! Glad you sound a lot better gurl 😀
There are many things that an individual values about their own Country, while there are many things that a visitor admires. We take for granted those things present everyday, but if it raises any concerns, have a cup of tea.
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Just signed up and ready to get blunked with *knowledge*!
Sounds cool - like the Bluffers Guides but more
I think Britons appreciate the architecture and history but more so in other places in Britain rather than the local version.
And on a side note, I also watch David Pakman's American political channel and Blinkist is his longest sponsor and although I like the concept of it, I always assumed that it was for Americans if getting it linked to his channel but now that I see you recommend it, I just signed up.
And on the other side note, I have had a jokey gift for you for about two years now Alanna but do not know how to get it to you. Do you have a P. O. Box that I can sent it to, or a care of address that is not your home or works, as although I myself know that I am not a weirdo (well not that weird anyway) I do appreciate that you have to be careful.
Great vlog!!!! By the way do you watch the Ken Continuem vlogs, where he covers Toronto and other great places in Canada!!!! He's got such a great voice for broadcasting, i don't know why he's not doing it professionally!!!! He is so so good, like your good self. 😊.
It’s lovely to hear someone so positive about their experience about living in the UK. So many people seem to criticize and constantly complain about theUK that it’s refreshing to hear so many nice things you say. We know that the UK is not perfect by any means but most of us are proud to be British and very proud of our beautiful country.
What I love about the Brits(Greek here)
:-Witty humour and the people's mentality in general
-History(you have lots of things to be proud of)
-Architecture
-Pub culture
-Preservation of your traditions
-Greeeeeeen landscapes
-Bumble bees
-Steak ,kidney and ale pie
I totally agree with all of those!
And our museums are full of your history!
@@johnturner4400 I would say thankfully I wouldn't trust our country to conserve theme here ,just my opinion 😅
Greece is the cradle of civilisation, you should be proud.🏴🇬🇧
@@kimarnill7648 That's so very sweet of you Kim.God bless Wales I wouldn't get through some days if it weren't for Welsh currant bakestones 🇬🇷🏴❤️
Hey Alanna, one very British thing I didn't hear mentioned was to be sitting in a pub having a pint and someones big fluffy dog wanders over to say hello to you. You just can't beat a big fluffy dog can you. 🍺🐕😊
Not that great if you have an allergy to dog fur. Keep it with you please.
@@jasonsmart3482 Dogs with fur?
You can beat them, but the RSPCA will have you.
Saw a joke the other day that said in some countries (especially the US and Canada), you can drive for 4 hours and still be pretty much in the same place. In the UK you can drive 4 hours and have gone though 5 different accents and now bread rolls are called something different.
Totally 😂
*cobs
Baps 😄
In the UK you can drive the entire length of the mainland (Britain), Lands End to John O Groats, in as little as 15 Hours, and pass through 3 Countries (England, Wales & Scotland), each with their own Languages.
I went to Texas once, and asked how long it take me to drive to AZ (to see the Grand Canyon) and the guy looked at me like I was mad, and said if you head that way for about a day you'll reach the border with AZ. Same in Canada, when I drove up to the North Western Territories, the scale of the US and Canada is just mind blowing to a Brit.
I was at a National Trust Property recently and there was a functioning dove cote, that was just as it was when it was built in the 13th century. I realised that that one structure was older than anything built in North America.
I remember reading in one of Bill Bryson's books that there were more 18th century buildings in his village in Yorkshire than in the whole of North America.
Hi from the US. Steve, the North American continent in the regions of what is now the US and Canada wasn't settled by Europeans until the 1600's. There were just what we now call "Old Growth Forests" (huge trees) and migrating Native Americans on the land. There was no agriculture as we know it today. Although territories were claimed by the British, the French and the Dutch, the wealthy patrons who ruled these provinces like kings did not live here because it was too primitive. If you had immigrated here through the 1700's, you would have likely been a subsistence farmer who knew how to build a modest log cabin in the German or Scottish manner for housing. In the developing cities, in the 18th Century there would be some brick or stone housing, most of it not at all elegant, but most of the housing for those not rich in, for example, New York City, was built of wood until 1832 when building with wood was banned due to all the fires that they caused. These cities are lucky enough to have some grand homes and institutions built in the 1700's, but not many, and many that were built then did not survive. Most of what had been built before 1700 wasn't worth keeping. Most of my ancestors came to the US from the British Isles before 1852 and I'm interested in the old buildings and cottages you have there. I hope to visit the UK again to see more historic buildings and all the beautiful gardens. Treasure what you have!!
Oldest extant building in the United States is the Palace of the Governors 1610-1618
@fatbelly27. Thanks for this information. Where is this Palace of Governors?
@@fatbelly27 Thank you for this information! I wasn't thinking that the oldest building would be in the West, Sante Fe NM. Adobe structures aren't that permanent, but it seems this structure has been renovated many times so it has been continually maintained. I've been to Sante Fe and I remember being in a museum and other older buildings in the center of town, so it's quite possible I've been there myself in 1996.🙂
@@suzanneantippas8420 In Santa Fe, New Mexico.
As a Brit I’m always interested to hear this from a Canadian. The only other place I’ve ever considered living.
Moving to England next month from New York and I cannot wait ❤I’m so excited for a fresh start in a new place that I absolutely love. I’ve done a TON of research, visited several times and watched your videos and videos like yours, and while I know it won’t always be easy, and it’s not perfect- It’s definitely an improvement from what is going on in America right now ❤
Welcome to England,
You will be welcomed. KorkytheKat UK
welcome to the UK.
See!? Everyone is so lovely ❤️
Good luck and welcome to our tiny island off the northern coast of Europe! Whereabouts are you moving to?
I love how everywhere in the UK is surrounded by rich history...🇬🇧
Me, too!!
You are wrong to say we don't see or understand what we have. We just don't need to talk about it all the time because it speaks for itself.
I bet you have not been to the town where I grew up, it is not that nice and thankfully I no longer live there.
Hi Alanna, congratulations on your new job at the UK tourist board. Seriously, it's uplifting to hear those positive thoughts about our country - especially in dark, cold January.
😂 Thank you!!
I’ve been uploading videos to my humble channel for years, all about the history and countryside, then, after the most spectacular day in the English countryside yesterday, a video of which I uploaded, I’ve decided to do a couple of videos a week just dedicated to a year of the English seasons, countryside and animals. Sounds naff, but I’m 68 and this will, hopefully, be something my kids can remember me by.
I love that people got annoyed that their town didn't make the cut in 'Crap towns in Britain' that the publisher then later on put out a "Crap towns in Britain 2"just to please the public that their town made it in. Can't beat our quirky humour :D
Alanna you spoil us, you really do, I mean it from my heart, there are some really good UA-camrs out there, but you are a breed apart, your kindness and generousity know no bounds, your weekly videos are something to be looked forward to, its not just you being kind though, it's how thoughtful you are, you occasionally say something not so wonderful about the UK, but when you do this it is always factual and said with good reason and without malace, the balance is always right, I have never known you to say anything that is a bit doubtful/dubious, you really are a ray of sunshine and long may it continue :)
My sentiments exactly.
I feel like Brits are the opposite of Americans when it comes to talking about their country. Americans love to talk about how great the US is and Brits love to talk about what they don't like about the UK. Both of these result in an unbalanced view of a place.
That's true! You typically only hear one side of the story for both countries
Just mention healthcare costs to an American and this can often render them speechless.
I love the UK
It's easy not to notice the history and culture around you. Some years ago an Australian guy I knew was in Paris on Bastille Day watching the parade and the amazing display of culture. There were two Americans in the crowd arguing about which of them was going to sit by the window on the plane home!
I love that even if I live in the middle of a modern city I know I’m only a short trip away from history, free museums, beautiful countryside and National Parks. Thank you for this wonderful list, Alanna!
Totally agree! Thanks so much for watching!
Great comments - as you say, us Brits often take what we have for granted; sometimes it feels like we’re living in the Shire in the LoTR
Totally!! I remember visiting Wales for the first time and thought - this is definitely LOTR lol
@@AdventuresAndNaps Actually The Shire is supposed to be based on the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. If I remember correctly Tolkien's son was at school in the area. I've spent years driving about there, but the Hobbits seem to keep out of sight.
I'm so glad you're enjoying being in the UK, Alanna! And we're so pleased you are here! Bless you!!!! 😊.
Great video! I like the fact that even though it is a relatively small island, the U.K. feels big when you're there. And you can get great falafel, Chinese and Indian takeout on every street corner!
So true!
the grumpiness - we brits can be the grumpiest gits in the known universe and I love that about us
Yep, that's me a grumpy old git 😂😂
I like to play up on my grumpiness as a joke too, which is very British. We enjoy being grumpy old gits 😂
I love the UK because I don't know anything else.i think most people love the land of their birth.i enjoy walking in the country side and if the weather is nice having a fab picnic to me thats like heaven! Thank you for the video.peace and love 💛
Alanna, it is an absolute delight to have you here with us. Cheers !
As a Brit, I worked in the U.S. for a few years. For 3 days I was like a kid at a circus, but on day 4 I had to "get up for work", and then it was just "normal" straight away!
Totally! It stops being a fun holiday when you need to go to work 😂
I was not expecting today's life journey to lead me to "platty jubes". And yet here we are. Thank you, Alanna. Thank you.
I live in a very historic part of Derbyshire and it's good to be reminded of what we too easily take for granted.
cant beat it , so lucky to have been raised there, i have been away a few times in my youth for work , but always came back , i was raised in chesterfield and some really great places just a drive away
It's amazing. I live on the back of the fields and I walk in them nearly everyday and there are people who never do. Wow? I know secret footpaths that people haven't a clue about? Love it. So glad you get it. I could go on and on. Love your gratitude. ❤🤠💪👍🙏
Thanks so much for watching!
We have a walk along a rocky coastline in Somerset near Selworthy, where we cross a stream to a sandy beach and water deep enough to swim or dive in at high tide. In the 50 years we’ve crossed that stream, it’s rare to see anyone else there, even in the height of summer. It’s not that we keep it a secret - we tell all the locals we meet, but they’re not interested, it involves wading, even though we tell them crossing the water is an inexplicable spine tingling event for both of us.
You know you're British when your friends greet you with what other cultures would consider insults. For example someone you haven't seen for a while shakes your hand while glancing down at your trousers and says in front of others "How's the ointment working, has the itch gone away?"
Need some Elizabeth Arden cream?
I can certainly relate to North Americans feeling like they are in a book while staying in the UK. The equivelant for us Brits (and I say this as one who has recently moved to small town New England) is that visitng the US/ Canada feels like you are on a giant movie set!
I love UK television (TaskMaster, 8 out 10 Does Countdown, Would I Lie To You etc)...📺🇬🇧
When I last visited, the queueing was refreshing after the battle in other parts of Europe. I believe it helps your mood because it seems so fair.
Being a Brit that had lived in the USA for 4 years, I was shocked, by the differences.
I love EVERYTHING about the UK especially the amount of dogs everywhere,I've got two rescue dogs and I wouldn't swap them for all the tea in China.
Ahh that's lovely!
I like cats best.
someone once said: if you are born in western Europe you have already won life's lottery (or something like that) and that's how I feel being British. I feel so lucky to live in a country where I don't have to worry about getting ill or not having children to look after me when I am old. I know our Country has many problems and is far from perfect but I would not want to live anywhere else.
You won't have to worry about getting ill or not having children to look after you? What does that mean?
@@monember2722 if I fall ill I won't have to worry about affording healthcare, it will be free, and when I am too old to look after myself I can go into a home and they will care for me.
@@lindabryce689 oh I see.
Hiya Alanna, when I lived 6 miles from Whitehaven, it was a little village called St Bees, when the American and Canadians were in the village they could be heard from 1 mile away, how excited they were, where they had been that day, and where they were going the following day, it was all good fun, all the Brits had too shout to their friends even to be heard, what do you think of that, I like you sweater, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England
Very good video. As someone born and bred in the UK, I often say nothing positive about the place - only bad things, especially based over the past few years. But you forget all the things here that you just take for granted. Thanks for reminding me that it isn't all bad at all.
You can walk 1 mile down St Helens Road from Prescot towards St Helens and the accent is totally different. Listen to Steve Gerrard then Johnny Vegas
Beer. I love ale.
I also love how much the UK has assimilated stuff from other cultures to create a hodge podge, eclectic, colourful and beautiful culture.
Yeah, it upsets me when this butts up against racism and xenophobia. Our immigrants are a huge part of what makes this country what it is and it breaks my heart to see all the anti immigrant sentiment
Really enjoying yr videos about the UK. Really amusing and kind of you. Sense of humour and our moaning about well...everything! Yes loads of lovely historic buildings. Thks again from Liverpool
My younger bro who emigrated to Vancouver roughly about two years ago now said he misses green fields and English countryside
Many, many thanks for being so nice to us Brits, very much appreciated. Just a small point regarding tea which you might appreciate, did you know that British Battle tanks have all got tea making facilities?
They had to be included so that tank crews would stop getting out of the tank to make a brew and getting killed as a result! 😅
I've flown. I've had a 30 Yr experience of being a traveller. But that 'WOW' of 'grrreeen' coming into the UK. For our little 'tuft' it always supprise me 😊
Cider! I know of no other country that has as much variety
I’ve lived in the U.K. for around 35 years. Agree about the food, there’s been a revolution here over the last few decades, the variety is possibly the greatest on earth. IMO too many “historic” U.K. towns, unlike those in Italy and France, have been trashed since WW2 but of course Cities such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath etc are incomparable . On the subject of cheese, only France has as good or better. For a small island the variety in landscape is incredible with Scotland having some of the most beautiful on Earth. Yes there are always things we don’t like but my life here has been overall incredible, no regrets at all.
What a great country..This is a great place to live ..Many thanks .Like this one ..
The Pub, its struggling at the moment, and that is a huge shame, you can walk into a pub on your own, and before you know it you going around the area from pub to pub with a group of 5 to 10 people who are all having a fantastic time.
Bill Bryson is absolutely BRILLIANT ! In one of his books, he described the method of numbering British Roads. It was a laugh out loud moment, he is SO witty ! An American, he wrote Notes on a Small Island (Britain), Down Under('Strailia), the Road to Little Dribbling, 'One Summer - America 1927'.
It’s true we do take our history for granted but we are also proud of. My cousin used to own a bar next to the millennium bridge to St Paul’s called the Centre Page . This pub is in Charles Dickens and the oak bench seating is still exactly as if was . Locals came in for a drink and don’t think about it but he had coach loads of Americans visit to sit on a bench in history
How did nobody say "Bollocks" or "Bollox"? It is the dog's bollocks of words!
Surely the greatest word in existence (and where, other than the UK, will you ever hear it (maybe Aus or NZ)?
I believe Canada was named after one of the Earls Carnarvon from Highclere Castle, the Estate used as Downton Abbey in the television series and subsequent movies.
Glad to see the music that comes out of the UK gets a mention! Hmm, an 'Alanna Rates Her Favourite British Bands'... could be a fun future video (he asked whilst being about as subtle as a large brick wall painted bright red...) 😉
If you haven't yet.. you must watch the tv show called Detectorists.... it's everything about British humour... like to know what you think about it?? Keep the vids coming!! Thank you!!
Totally agree
Loooove Detectorists! Pure unashamed, understated British comedy to a tee (or tea! )
@@johnpoile1451 i can't see you comment... what did you say?
Sorry to hear that you were unwell over Christmas, but for future reference there are Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) in Whitstable and Herne Bay. The Herne Bay one isn't open Christmas Day, but I think the Whitstable one is. If you can't get an appointment with your GP, you can go to one of these and they're staffed by GPs. I think there's also one at Canterbury Hospital. :)
Humour - the art of being able to take the absolute piss out of somebody but knowing that it may come back on you, as much as being able to do it to yourself and being able to laugh at it again when the tale is retold.
I love the background lighting in this video!
Yay! Thank you!
@@AdventuresAndNaps You're welcome!
Ooh, I mentioned 'Notes from a Small Island' a few minutes ago, at another of your videos.
Alana! We are grateful that you live here!
I do love the countryside in the uk....I grew up in Lancashire, so literally within 2 hours of the Lake District and the Yorkshire dales, and right on the the edge of the Pennines
That's awesome!
recently i found a new interest in our lost pagan history, trying to find out about the pre-christian uk is very interesting cause its so lost. its nice to imagine or guess at what culture they would've had, lots of mystery
I often feel like a tourist in my own city. I'm forever taking photos of places and buildings I've probably seen a thousand times before, so I totally understand what you mean about how important it is not to take your surroundings for granted!
All I have to say is I love my father so much I adore Brits 🇺🇸💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞🇬🇧
Sometimes we need to hear this from people from other nations to remind us how lucky we are. As Bill Bailey points out in his shows the best you will get from a Brit about their country is that ‘it’s not too bad’ or ‘could be worse’.
I think one of the best things about the UK is the fact that everything is so "average" - we have a lot of weather, but nothing extreme, no volcanoes, no earthquakes, no tornadoes, etc. I've spent my entire 67 years here in the UK, so I haven't really got anything to compare it to...still glad I was born British though! 🙂🇬🇧
I really agree with this comment, average is perfect for me 👌
Well, we have had a few tornadoes over the years. Birmingham in 2005 was an EF2 on the Fujita scale but nothing like the utter monsters which rake the USA.
There's been at least two earthquakes in the UK in the last 20 years. They barely did anything, though, so you can be forgiven for not remembering them
Don't forget our wildlife is pretty average too. The only dangerous thing we have is a badger with tuberculosis and even then it's only the cows that are a bit worried!
@@chojin6136 One of those earthquakes made my toolbox fall off a workbench. It was chaos.😂
The British Army has a tea making boiler in its tanks, they can heat food in them too.
Hi Alanna,as a”Brit”I think that I didn’t appreciate my country enough until I hear such comments from your viewers,and i think about how beautiful it is here,Obviously it is not perfect…where is?but I consider myself lucky to have been born, and brought up here.cheers.Roly 🇬🇧.
I would recommend going to your local non league football club. You'll find all walks of life from the local community there. Great places to spend a Saturday afternoon.
You are so right regarding our historical sites, i never thought about them until i became friendly with Americans through a fb tourist group, and i now appreciate our castles and how old our history is much much more, i’ve taken a few Americans on some small unoficial tours, just as friends though & not like a job
Why do I love the UK? Because Alanna is here of course!
I think sometimes as Brits we can take all the history for granted sometimes, although as someone who has lived here his entire life i always appreciate the fact that I'm never too far away from a castle or historic landmark or building.
shes a lovley lass, wish everyone was like her, well she is Canadian
I'm British, and I could hardly disagree with any of the points raised, but what therefore do *I* love about Britain? All of those things to some extent - in particular, the walk through the green countryside with a pub trip appeals just as much to me as it does to you, Alanna - however, if I think deeply enough upon this matter, I find myself observing this: aside from all the main history, my own history is in Britain; my entire formative period was here, my past is here; I am quite a nostalgic person, so Britain is part of me and I'm part of it. Is that answer good enough?!
Just walking around where you live, there are always buildings or little things you've not seen before. Thanks Alanna! 🙏🙏
Thanks so much for watching!
@@AdventuresAndNaps 😊😊
After your walk through the countryside, when you get to the pub have a pint of cider, it will sharpen your appetite for your roast dinner.
On an entirely different note, I love that flag in the background. Absolutely top tier.
How we have taken in so many people from far flung places, and incorporated parts of their culture into ours.
You are always so lovely, thank you.
Hi, we've placed another order for scents from Edenbridge.....one for me, one for my significantly better half.
We've had a few and without exception they've been great.
Congratulations on the job - you're looking so happy lately.
I just noticed that one of the people saying ‘music’ was called ‘pickupthepieces76’ If you know, you know. We’ll done that AWB person. ♥️
You were able to go IN to see the GP? The ones near me are STILL phone appointments only.
I haven't been able to get a Dr's appointment for 3 years. I've had 2 telephone appointments which were a waste of time
We are grateful to have you 😘
For me, this is probably your best video to date. Lots of love etc.
Lovely video, Alanna! A bit more old school, this one and you seemed, I don't know... _happier_ somehow. The result of the new schedule, perhaps? Cheese? Cider?
Whatever, a real pleasure to watch.
Why do you not like rain? It's a necessity of life. Also. Toronto gets more rain than London per year. Toronto = 831mm per year, London = 585mm per year. In fact it rains a lot more in a lot more places than it does in London per year! And here is a fun fact... Seattle gets more rain From Oct to Jan than London does all year. Thank you for the videos... very enjoyable... great job and keep it up :)
Wow, you displayed my response! Made my day
The countryside is the big winner for me, not only is it beautiful, there's so much of it, and we lack any dangerous predators. As much as i loved the national parks i visited in the US, the whole "beware of the bears/cougars/rattle snakes" thing kinda made relaxing in nature a lil trickier.
Yes, there's a saying that you have to eat it for it to kill you! Then again, the UK does actually have the highest density of poisonous plants (as in poisonous on ingestion) in western Europe, so that just proves my point!
Lack of dangerous predators: With the advent of 'phone scams, no longer true.
Good video allana i love cheese . cheese and onion sanwichs wow
So lovely to rediscover your channel. I thought you had left us! Your videos are like a burst of brilliant sunshine on a cold winter day. SO thought provoking. You make me think of every day things as if I am an explorer discovering things for the first time! Bless You!🤩
History…Well you’ll love this! I live in a very small southern town, and we have the knee high remains of a castle from 1200.
I could listen to you all day!
If you think England is green and rainy you should come over Ireland maybe the West of Ireland. I am living in Cork, however I was born and bred in England, folk are even friendlier over here, and rainy, lots of rain.
To the people who said about Shakespeare Stratford-upon-Avon is my home town so proud and I miss it
If you get ill over xmas, go to a walk-in centre up your local hospital. That's the go-to service if your GP is unavailable 😉
PUBS, Yes.
My local use to be Stables and a Hotel of sorts in the 15th cen and became a Inn in 1743. Its been a Pub (per say) since 1821.
However a few years ago I found out that before the building was constructed as a Stable, there was also a Church on the site (spooky) dating back to the 11th cen some time.
The Forestry Commission; who care for the publicly owned woodlands; one of which I live right next to and visit almost every day when the Bluebells are here!
World-class theatre and contemporary dance. And Quality Street... 😉
It's my home, I love it
When you’re in the U.K. you get to say: “ I was in a tea house recently.” 🎩
Ha ha you made my proud to feel British and that's saying something 😉 But we forgot all the great firsts and inventions 😜! Glad you sound a lot better gurl 😀
There are many things that an individual values about their own Country, while there are many things that a visitor admires. We take for granted those things present everyday, but if it raises any concerns, have a cup of tea.
Everyone loves the UK because we love everyone who loves the UK!