This practice is usually done by a small girl who dons the same design or dress of the bride herself. This is to avoid being singled out by any jealous evil wishers who might envy her life of happiness in the duration of the ceremonies.

Also, brides are also advised to carry a silver horseshoe to the hem of their wedding dresses. In the olden days, brides were even asked to carry actual horseshoes for good luck. The former is what most brides apply now since good luck is what any newlyweds will always be after.

Upon your arrival at a station, you should have a look at the colour-coded signs that will direct you to the line you’re looking for. The London Underground system is divided into 6 different fare zones. The London city centre is of course in Zone 1. Your ticket price depends on the number of zones through which you travel. You can easily buy your ticket from an automatic ticket machine or alternatively at the ticket office at any station. Both single and return tickets are available and they are valid only on the date shown.

If you know where you want to go, I recommend you should use the ticket machines because they can save a lot of your time. The instructions are easy to follow. The ticket machines usually give change, but I would suggest that you use the correct money if possible. By doing this, you will help keep change for other passengers who really need it.

Most London Underground stations have ticket gates. You need to pass through them quite a few times throughout your journey. Upon your arrival, just insert your ticket into the slot of the machine through which the ticket will pass. You can then take it from a slot at the top and the gates will open to let you through. When you have completed your last journey, the gates will open and let you through but your ticket will be retained by the machine.

As far as I’m concerned, London’s Tube is probably one of the most famous in the world. However, I feel that there is something about being underground I am not very keen on. For instance, the massive crowds swarm towards the train platforms, rushing up and down stairs, following the signs and the annoying ‘Mind the gap’ thing. Based on my experience, the trains are also absolutely packed. I have so many times been pushed up against someone really stinky. It’s never easy to find yourself a seat, and you can hardly see anything. Having said that, I still believe it is the cheapest and quickest way to get around London though.

To sum up, The London Underground is really easy to use so long as you are equipped with a map. To avoid wasting your time, simply validate your ticket and pass through the gates, stand on the right hand side of the steep escalators, or just walk down on the left if you are in a rush. The Tube normally arrives every few minutes so you don’t need to run. In summer the tube can be really hot and smelly, but again it is another part of travelling around the capital of England.

Famous throughout the world for their considerate helpfulness and assertive authority that even extend till these days to not carrying a loaded firearm, the ordinary English police are a globally recognised figure in all respects. They have been portrayed in many TV dramas, and their everyday duties have never ceased to stir one’s imagination.

The average English bobby is much respected all over the world for his consideration, efficiency as well as ability to do his job. He is also renowned as being honourable and morally upright and is among the very few unarmed police patrols in the crime-dogged world. Even though the uniform has gradually changed over time, there is little doubt it is still highly recognisable.

The English police did and to a large extent still do represent citizen security and the spirit of community that made them such a symbol of England for a number of years. Many say that the good English bobby is simply the envy of the world. In addition, they also argue that the English police should never be stripped off their bobby status as they always handled the situations in the kindest possible manner.

One of the things that people will always remember is the good old English Bobby being marched out by their sarge at the beginning of their shift. The most popular sight was probably the police standing in the street phone boxes calling their station, or the glossy blue light flashing telling the bobby to answer the phone. Another very familiar sight was the sarge attracting the attention of the tired constable by tapping the pavement with his truncheon.

I myself am a fan of police drama The Bill in which the English police are always capable of sorting out the most difficult offences. It is also fascinating to see them getting tough on crime and giving people a sense of security watching the show on TV. The English police in the drama are always in large numbers and even the worst offenders will have a hard time dealing with them.

Unfortunately though, in reality we no longer see that many English constables anymore. I reckon there should be more police back on the streets to help tackle the street crime in England. Countless times I have heard awful stories of people being murdered even in broad daylight which is appalling. Hardly can anyone understand what is going on here. The government has apparently generated a lot more tax revenues than ever before but it seems very little is spent on street policing.

I read a report published about the cost of the British lifestyle. It was published by Metro.co.uk. Based on this report, the British lifestyle is the third most expensive in the world. The report states:

The study by the bank HSBC found that money in every other country in the world, apart from Norway and France, would go further.

It examined how long the typical British salary would last if people maintained their standard of living, including eating out in a restaurant twice a week.

It found that the average British salary would run out after 11 months and one week in Norway, while in France it would run out after 11 months and two weeks.

But, at the other end of the scale, a year’s British salary would last four years in Iran, two years and ten months in India and more than two years in Peru, Egypt, Argentina and Costa Rica.

Interesting – I always thought that our cousins from across the ocean lived costlier lifestyles than us. Then again, this study was conducted months ago and perhaps, with the changes in the economy, lifestyles have changed as well.

Photo courtesy of fishyfish_arcade

Being predominantly rural, the Cumbria area is one of the best places – if not the best – to go walking in England. If going on leisurely walks is your idea of relaxation, then Cumbria should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

The two main footpaths in this area are the Cumbrian Way and the Dales Way. If you take the former route, you will start by the sea side and head on northward to experience some of the most spectacular sceneries. The latter route will take you west into Yorkshire. Either way, you will have a one of a kind walking experience.

Of course, there are other options for those who are not “heavy duty walkers.” There are countless other footpaths wherein you can take more leisurely and shorter walks. Cumbria Calling lists down some of them:

• Buttermere – a two hour walk takes you all the way round this lovely lake
• Derwent Water Ferry – take the Derwent ferry from Keswick to Hawes End. Walk to Lodore Falls and take the ferry back to Keswick
• Stiffer than a stroll, but possible without being a mountaineer is to climb Skiddaw from Keswick.
• Ullswater ferry and walk. Take ferry from Glenridding pier to Howtown. It is then a three hour walk back along the lake shore to Howtown
• Take the ferry from Bowness to Sawrey, walk along the lake shore to Bass Rock, return through the National Trust woods
• Grizedale forest. There are a number of waymarked walks. Details from Forestry Commission
• Round Grasmere. A pleasant walk all the way round the lake at Grasmere will take about two hours

So put on your walking shoes and head on over to Cumbria!

Photo courtesy of Pikaluk

Based on parent and child feedback, there are some models that consistently garner good reviews. Some of these are categorized as big doll houses. The GuideCraft Grand Victorian Dollhouse is a classic do-it-yourself kit which features balconies, French doors and spiral staircases. The Majestic Mansion Dollhouse comes in a massive size of 4 ½ feet plus detailed interior. Another of the big doll houses is the KidKraft Savannah Dollhouse which offers the flexibility of using typical doll house figures or Barbie dolls. Plan Toy’s The Green Dollhouse with Furniture is the ultimate eco-friendly version of a doll house which provides additional level of play and education. The Classic Heirloom Victorian Doll House by Melissa & Doug possess unrivaled interior and exterior detailing.

Though relatively smaller than most big doll houses, the Wooden Folding Princess Castle of Melissa and Doug offers a different style fit for young royalty. Fisher Price’s Loving Family Dollhouse is a plastic Victorian dollhouse that is both durable and colorful. The Deluxe Wooden Furnished Dollhouse by Melissa and Doug is small but offers big-time and long-lasting easy play time. One of the most entertaining big doll houses is the So Chic Dollhouse which is truly massive in size for a toy. It comes with wheels and can be played on both sides at once. Not to be forgotten is the Mattel Barbie 3-Story Dream House Playset. Boasting of realistic sounds and lights, the third floor can be detached when desired. There are doll house models which can be bought small but can later be expanded with additional parts.

While the 1:12 scale is typically used for adult collectors’ dollhouses, finding one done on the 1:24 scale is very possible.  Children’s play dollhouses are commonly made on the 1:18 scale although there are some done on the 1:16 scale.  Much larger dollhouses in a 1:6 scale are manufactured to accommodate 11-12 inches-tall dolls like Barbie.  Young girls can get to enjoy the best dollhouses in their preferred size and construction.

Dollhouses may have an open back as usually seen in US versions or have a hinged front to view the interior as seen in British-made houses.  They may be made of metal, fiberboard, wood, cardboard, or plastic.  Dollhouses that come in kits are usually made of thin plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).  Those that are made with the former can be assembled through a system of tabs and slots while those constructed of MDF or the heavier type of plywood use nails and glue.  The wide range of choices made available in the market ensures that children have access to the best dollhouses in varied price ranges.

The more adventurous ones can opt to build their own dollhouses.  Choosing a ready-built one does not diminish in any way the fun derived from focusing on the best dollhouses as a hobby.  From the process of building, lighting, and decorating to providing the miniature furnishings to the house, hobbyists will have the time of their life creating their own distinct dollhouses.  Building one’s own dollhouse requires a blue print as opposed to a kit which just needs to be put together as directed.

One of the best people to take tips from is Richard Thompson, a retired project manager. He is no ordinary retiree. As a matter of fact, Thompson has been named as Britain’s best money saver by Money Supermarket. So what does Thompson know that we don’t already? The Times Online recently featured him and had this to say:

So, how exactly does he do it? He investigates everything from home insurance to savings accounts to make sure he is always getting the best possible deal. Thompson, 60, then plays market-leading deals to their full advantage by, for example, borrowing money at 0% and paying it into high-interest savings accounts so that it is earning money for him, not the banks.

And if you think that credit cards are a no no, think again. You can follow Thompson’s example:

Thompson has three credit cards — from Virgin, Halifax and Alliance & Leicester — all with interest-free balance-transfer deals. With no credit-card debt to pay off, he transferred the cash into a current account, then moved £18,000 into a Tesco Internet Saver account paying 2.75%.

Thompson said: “Not many people realise that card firms will transfer a balance into your account, rather than paying off a rival card.” He transfers the required amounts back to the card providers in time for the end of the 0% introductory deals, thereby avoiding paying any interest. Over 12 months he stands to earn up to £495.

Interested in making considerable savings? Follow this Brit’s example.

Golden Retrievers are classified as toy dogs because of their friendliness. They are also tagged as show dogs and field dogs. The difference lies in the length of their hair. Field dogs are easier to groom because they have shorter hair.

Having big boned structure, these English dogs are prone to bone diseases, notably their hips which may develop into hip dysplasia. Their skin is also sensitive hence the need to ensure that they would be eating the proper dog food and bathed at proper times to avoid contracting fleas that wills surely make them itch and develop skin allergies.

Darts for its part has been known to be only a recreational activity that goes along with beer. But the level of competition that many would refer to as the Masters of Darts tournament have their own set of traditions and distinctions.

Darts actually originated in the middle ages where soldiers would hurl arrows on the upturned side of a barrel where arrows would be hurled closest to the cork bung, with the closes being the winner. Today, the concept has been totally developed into bulls eyes, where the score would be higher than that of farther hit targets in darts.

[tags]darts, sports, traditions, culture, competition[/tags]