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Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
"The Top 10 Things": We love about the U.K.
Kaylee and I have now lived in the United Kingdom for six months! Can you believe that? It seems like only yesterday that we were living and working in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Wow. The time has flown by!
We have settled in quite nicely. I have found a good rhythm of work and play. I've transitioned from a "what do I do today" kind of mentality, to a thorough planning of my monthly schedule. I am enjoying serving NLCC as a Pastor. I love the people here and the relationships that I am daily building upon.
So, in honour of our six month anniversary of living in the U.K. I put together a top ten list for your enjoyment.
10. The History
The United Kingdom has a very rich with history dating back further than the Roman Empire. The city of London even pre-dates what we know as the nation of England! The town we live in, Morpeth, has a a motte and bailey castle that was constructed and finished in 1095. It's amazing to think that a castle that pre-dates the nation of Canada, U.S.A. and the Reformation is sitting at the top of hill I walk past everyday on my way to work. The church building that I work in was completed in 1898, a mere thirty-one years after the establishment of Canada as a nation! This is all to say, I am constantly blown away at the depth of history on every part of this great island.
9. The Accents
What's not to love? There is a delightfulness in pronunciation of the English language here in the home country. As the originators and perfecters of all things English, the language has reached a diversity of accents here in the home country. It has been said to me that every thirty miles there is a different and distinct variation on the English accent. It's fascinating to me the diversity of annunciations found in the U.K. Check out this video as an example. This is very different than our experience of Canadian accents. Canadians tend to divide our accents between East & West, culminating in the sing-songiness of Newfie.
8. Beautiful landscape.
The rolling green hills are breath taking and diverse. It's a welcome change to the flatlands of Saskatchewan. (Sorry Saskers) I recently took a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. We took the A1 along the North Sea. I was really taken by the vast beauty of this island. There are even mountains in Scotland! (although nothing compared to the Rockies) ;)
7. Lack of snow.
We had our first green Christmas ever. It was surreal. I keep expecting a -40 type blizzard to roll in any day now. Don't get me wrong. Snow is great, but I am enjoying a bit of break from the harshness of winter. The lowest temperature I've seen yet is -2 degrees celsius. Imagine, my Canadian friends, not having the air hurt your face and shock your lungs when you go outside.
6. Tea time.
It's a great way to relax and unwind. Tea time is a great way, to coin the popular phrase, to "keep calm, and carry on." I love the hospitality and community that is created through a simple hot beverage. There is a relaxed approach to life that is represented by practice of relaxing over a "cuppa". I love having tea and reading a good book, or finishing a meal with good Yorkshire Gold or Tetley.
5. Chocolate
I do not joke.... the United Kingdom has some of the best chocolate in the world. It puts North American chocolate to shame. In the UK, chocolate must contain at least 20% cocoa solids. In the US, on the other hand, cocoa solids need only make up 10%. In North America they add vegetable fats and wax to prevent melting during shipping & storage. The result is a very different product. I once left my Cadbury chocolate bar on our couch which is close to a heater in the room. I came back a few minutes later to a mostly melted chocolate bar. This may seem bothersome, but I let me assure that it is worth the hassle for such a great product.
4. The Humour
UK people know how to laugh! The humour is great here! It's witty, subtle, and smart. A few examples of the great British comedy: Monty Python, Rowan Atkinson, Jimmy Carr. The comedy here can also be quite uproarious as well! I think the Scotts & Irish fill in any gaps that the English might lack in their humour. A few good examples Kevin Bridges, Danny Bhoy, and Neil Delamere.
3. The Architecture.
When Kaylee and I visited London back in December of 2013 we saw every kind of amazing examples of architecture. Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, Modern, Industrial, Post-Modern.... it's all here in this one beautiful country. A local attraction that drew my fascination is the Durham Cathedral founded in AD 1093. The cathedral is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture. I sat in the traditional evening service with a full choir and was mesmerized by the gravitas of experience. The arches pull your attention upward towards the many stain glass windows- that each illustrate a passage of scripture. There was a point during a period of prayer that I stopped to reflect on the almost thousand history of prayers offered in this Cathedral. It connected me to the past and a history that I previous was completely unaware of. My sense of wonder has been ignited by ancient buildings that speak of long forgotten people who have gone before me. And through it all... God is faithful, enduring, and present.
2. British food & drink
Pub food is great! There is nothing like a good fish & chips at the local shop. My personal new favourite food is called a "Steak & Ale Pie". I am seriously obsessed with it. Some other local favourites include: Bangers & Mash, Bacon Butty, Full English Breakfast, Cheese Scones, and Sunday Roast Dinner! Mmmm... There also some mean Curries here in England! There is nothing like a good curry on a cold rainy day. It warms the cockles of your heart. :)
1. The People
U.K. people are great! There is no "one type" of Brit, Scot, Irish, Welsh etc... but if I may speak generally, I find the people of this island have heart, calmness, friendliness, resilience, and wit! I see here in the fabric of the United Kingdom my own roots of being Canadian. There is a culture here that has made an undeniable impact on the history of humanity. The very fact that you are reading this blog in the English language testifies to the amazingness of all things British.
Take care eh,
Paul & Kaylee Walker
We have settled in quite nicely. I have found a good rhythm of work and play. I've transitioned from a "what do I do today" kind of mentality, to a thorough planning of my monthly schedule. I am enjoying serving NLCC as a Pastor. I love the people here and the relationships that I am daily building upon.
So, in honour of our six month anniversary of living in the U.K. I put together a top ten list for your enjoyment.
The Top 10 Things: We love about the U.K.
10. The History
The United Kingdom has a very rich with history dating back further than the Roman Empire. The city of London even pre-dates what we know as the nation of England! The town we live in, Morpeth, has a a motte and bailey castle that was constructed and finished in 1095. It's amazing to think that a castle that pre-dates the nation of Canada, U.S.A. and the Reformation is sitting at the top of hill I walk past everyday on my way to work. The church building that I work in was completed in 1898, a mere thirty-one years after the establishment of Canada as a nation! This is all to say, I am constantly blown away at the depth of history on every part of this great island.
9. The Accents
What's not to love? There is a delightfulness in pronunciation of the English language here in the home country. As the originators and perfecters of all things English, the language has reached a diversity of accents here in the home country. It has been said to me that every thirty miles there is a different and distinct variation on the English accent. It's fascinating to me the diversity of annunciations found in the U.K. Check out this video as an example. This is very different than our experience of Canadian accents. Canadians tend to divide our accents between East & West, culminating in the sing-songiness of Newfie.
8. Beautiful landscape.
7. Lack of snow.
We had our first green Christmas ever. It was surreal. I keep expecting a -40 type blizzard to roll in any day now. Don't get me wrong. Snow is great, but I am enjoying a bit of break from the harshness of winter. The lowest temperature I've seen yet is -2 degrees celsius. Imagine, my Canadian friends, not having the air hurt your face and shock your lungs when you go outside.
6. Tea time.
It's a great way to relax and unwind. Tea time is a great way, to coin the popular phrase, to "keep calm, and carry on." I love the hospitality and community that is created through a simple hot beverage. There is a relaxed approach to life that is represented by practice of relaxing over a "cuppa". I love having tea and reading a good book, or finishing a meal with good Yorkshire Gold or Tetley.
5. Chocolate
I do not joke.... the United Kingdom has some of the best chocolate in the world. It puts North American chocolate to shame. In the UK, chocolate must contain at least 20% cocoa solids. In the US, on the other hand, cocoa solids need only make up 10%. In North America they add vegetable fats and wax to prevent melting during shipping & storage. The result is a very different product. I once left my Cadbury chocolate bar on our couch which is close to a heater in the room. I came back a few minutes later to a mostly melted chocolate bar. This may seem bothersome, but I let me assure that it is worth the hassle for such a great product.
4. The Humour
UK people know how to laugh! The humour is great here! It's witty, subtle, and smart. A few examples of the great British comedy: Monty Python, Rowan Atkinson, Jimmy Carr. The comedy here can also be quite uproarious as well! I think the Scotts & Irish fill in any gaps that the English might lack in their humour. A few good examples Kevin Bridges, Danny Bhoy, and Neil Delamere.
3. The Architecture.
2. British food & drink
Pub food is great! There is nothing like a good fish & chips at the local shop. My personal new favourite food is called a "Steak & Ale Pie". I am seriously obsessed with it. Some other local favourites include: Bangers & Mash, Bacon Butty, Full English Breakfast, Cheese Scones, and Sunday Roast Dinner! Mmmm... There also some mean Curries here in England! There is nothing like a good curry on a cold rainy day. It warms the cockles of your heart. :)
1. The People
Take care eh,
Paul & Kaylee Walker
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