The Johnsburg, Illinois, 9/11 Ceremony-- Part 1

I am writing the 9/11 stories today since I wasn't able to yesterday.

Yesterday, the weather especially didn't cooperate.  It rained pretty much all day, at times quite hard.  Accumulation in Chicago was at 3 inches and I'm guessing from water collected in sone containers in my yard, about 4 inches here. 

And, it was quite windy.  On he morning I took my English flag down (Queen Elizabeth) and decided not to put the U.S. one up.  The wind blew down my NIU Huskies banner on the front porch.

I went out on the driveway and got my Sunday Chicago Tribune and paging through it, did not see one article about 9/11.   I was surprised.

I had read in the Northwest Herald newspaper (for McHenry County) that a group in Johnsburg, Illinois, were going to post U.S. flags between the bank on Johnsburg Road and the Johnsburg Library.  Since that is just four miles from home I decided to go to that.

Part 2  continued today on my Down Da Road I Go Blog.  

--RoadDog

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 6: Getting Sloshed, Bevvied, Wellied and Pissed As a Newt

If your better half witters on (gabs and gabs), tell them you're knackered (exhausted) and it's been donkey's years (ages) since you've slept.  After washing up (doing the dishes) and hoovering (vacuuming), you can have a plate of biscuits (cookies) and, if you're so inclined, a neat (straight) whisky.

Too much of that whisky will get you sloshed, paralytic, bevvied, wellied, ratted, popped up, or even pissed as a newt.

Then, there's the question of accents.  These days accents are trendy in Britain.  Politicians, newscasters and movie stars have been favoring deep accents over the Queen's English.

It's hard for American ears to pick out all the variations -- and some accents are so thick they sound like a foreign language -- but most Brits can determine what region a person is from by their accent.

All across the British Isles, you'll encounter new words, crazy humor and colorful accents.  Pubs are colloquial treasure chests,  Church services, sporting events and local comedy shows are linguistic classrooms.

The streets of Liverpool, the docks of London and children's parks throughout the UK are playgrounds for the American ear.  One of the beauties of touring Great Britain is the illusion of hearing a foreign language and actually understanding it ... most of the time.

--RoadParalytic

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 5: Homeys and Face Flannels

The British never say they have a two week vacation, but instead, many go on a holiday for a fortnight.  These are often spent in a homely (homey) rural cottage or possibly spent on the Continent (continental Europe).

When they go, they might pack a face flannel (washcloth) and hair grips (bobby pins) in their bum bag (never a "fanny" pack - which refers to a most private part of a woman's anatomy).

If it's rainy, they wear a mackintosh (raincoat) or anorak (parka) with press studs (snaps).

If you get settled into a flat (apartment), you can post letters in the pillar box or give your mum a trunk (long-distance) call.  If that's too dear (expensive), she'll say you're tight as a fish's bum.

--RoadHoliday

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 4: Places and Driving in the U.K.

Then, there are those great British place names like Upper and Lower Slaughter, Once Brewed and the Itching Field.  You'll visit "brilliant" (wonderful sights, that will give you "goose pimples" (goose bumps).

Your car will have a bonnet and a boot  rather than a hood and a trunk.  My family has always referred to a car's trunk as the "Boot."  Put it in the boot.  The what?

You'll drive on motorways (as opposed to interstates).  That gal on GPS always refers to motorways.  And, when you driving asphalt becomes divided, you are on a dual carriageway.

Never go anticlockwise (counter clockwise) in a roundabout (traffic circle).

Gas is petrol, a truck is a lorry and when you hit a tailback (traffic jam), don't get your knickers in a twist (upset) --  just be patient and queue up (line up).

Oh, Dem English.  --RoadBrit

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 3: About Those Scribbling Blocks and Crisps

In a stationery store, you can get sticky tape or Sellotape (adhesive tape), rubbers (erasers), and scribbling blocks (scratch pads).  At garden shops, those with green fingers (a green thumb) might pick u some courgette (zucchini), swede (rutabaga) or aubergine (eggplant) seeds.

If you need a torch (flashlight), visit the ironmonger's (hardware store).

In Britain, fries are chips and potato chips are crisps.  A beef burger made with mince (hamburger meat), comes on a toasted bap (bun).  For pudding (dessert), have some sponge (cake).

--RoadBrit

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 2: Playing 'Naughts and Crosses' and Sucking on a 'Dummie'

Every day in England, you'll see babies in prams and pushchairs.  They'll be sucking on dummies as their mothers change wet nappies.  After time goes by, those kids will turn in their nappies for smalls and will even eventually  spend a penny on their own. 

"Spend a Penny" is a British expression for a visit to the loo (bathroom).

Older British kids enjoy candy floss (cotton candy), naughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe), big dippers (roller coasters), and iced lollies (popsicles).

Kids are often in need of an Elastoplast or sticking plaster (Band-Aid), which their parents might buy from the chemist's (pharmacy).

Had Enough?  --RoadPenny

England Has a Language All To Themselves-- Part 1: Getting 'Knocked Up' in the Morning

From the October 11, 2020, Chicago Tribune "A trip to Britain comes with linguistic surprises" by Rick Steves.

Okay, go ahead and have a "chin-wag" with the English.

Oscar Wilde once said that the English "have really everything in common with America nowadays -- except, of course, language."

There are many British expressions which might not be clearly evident as to what they are talking about to us Americans.

Okay, "chin-wag" means to have a chat.

Rick Steves remembers once checking into a small-town B&B as a teenager and having the landlady ask him:  "And what time would you like to be knocked up in the morning?"  Her husband then added, "Would a fry at half-eight be suitable?"

Confusing?  especially about getting knocked up and then a fry?  Hunh??

The next morning he got a knock on the door at 8 a.m. and a huge British breakfast a half hour later.

--RoadShagger

Top Ten Weird Europe Attractions: Magic and Wild West and Narrow, Real Narrow

From the March 19, 2021, Listverse by C.J.Phillips.

Want to go to the offbeat.  well, here are some ideas.  I am just listing and saying one thing about each.  For more info and pictures, go to the site.

10.  TRING NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, TRING, ENGLAND

Lots and lots of taxidermy.

9.  THE MAGIC HILL, DUNDALK, IRELAND

You vehicle might act weird.

8.  RIDE AND EAT ON THE BUSTRONOME, PARIS, FRANCE

Six courses while traveling through the streets.

7.  MINI HOLLYWOOD, TABERNAS, SPAIN

America's Wild West in Europe.  Where "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and other Spaghetti Westerns were filmed.

6.  SPREUERHOFSTABE, REUTLIGEN, GERMANY

The narrowest street in the world.  (12.3 inches wide)

Interesting, Very Interesting.  --RoadStrange

10 Rude-Sounding English Names-- Part 2: Titty-Ho

5.  Great Cockup

4.  Tongue of Gangsta

3.  Titty-Ho

2.  Wetwang

1.  Twatt

Oh, Well.  --RoadHaHa

While On the Subject of Funny British Names, Here Are the Original Ten-- Part 1: Shitlington Crags

From the April 17, 2019, ListVerse  "10 Rude-Sounding British Places With Unbelievable Back Stories" by Matt Garrow.

Again, more information and pictures at the site.  I'm just listing them.

10.  Brown Willy

9.  Cockermouth

8.  Bell End

7.  Sandy Balls

6.  Shitlington Crags

Anybody Seen My Sandy Balls?  --RoadBall

10 More British Places With Hilariously Rude Names-- Part 2: Where Is Sluts Hole?

Again, go to the site to find pictures and more information. I'm just listing these funny names.


5.  Mudd

4.  Wide Open

3.  Penistone

2.  Sluts Hole

1.  Fanny Hands

So, the next time you're over there, some good photo ops.

Wide Open.  --RoadMudd

10 More British Places With Hilariously Rude Names-- Part 1: Crapstone

From the November 5, 2019, ListVerse by Matt Garrow.

I am just listing their names.  Go to the site to see pictures and a lot of information.

So, next time you're in England and driving around, visit these places.

10.  Bitchfield

9.  Townland of Stranagalwilly

8.  Crapstone

7.  Brokenwind

6.  Hole of Holcrum

Photo Ops?  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, March 2017: Illinois Route 66 Goes Big in England

MARCH 8--  Exporting the buzz of Route 66 to England, the Outside Collective Group has made a big Route 66 mural in the side of The Hat and Feathers Pub on the corner of Clerkenwell and Goswell roads in London.  The mural measures in at 52-feet high.

Route 66 places featured on it are Illinois' Paul Bunyan statue in Atlanta,  a gas pump from the Soulsby gas station in Mt. Olive, the Brooks Catsup bottle in Collinsville, the Cozy Dog Drive-In mascot in Springfield, the Chicago Theatre marque in Chicago and an Illinois Route 66 shield.

Impressed Me.  --RoadDog

Messin' With the Crosswalks in Hawaii

Just came across an article about someone going around in Hawaii and painting the work "Aloha" on some of the crosswalks. Strictly illegal, but kind of neat, too.

And, speaking of crosswalks, I like the ones in England which, for the sake of Americans who get hit by cars, say "Look right, left and right before crossing." Of course, they drive on the other side so approach where we don't expect.

And then there was a famous crosswalk in the Abbey Road section, for some reason.

At the Corner of Walk and Don't Walk. --RoadDog

500-Year Old Bar Ordered to Paint Original Spanish Armada Wood

From the April 6, 2013, Yahoo! News by Eric Pfeiffer.

Part of Plymouth, England's Minerva Inn is made of wood from sunken ships from the Spanish Armada in 1588 as well as the fact it has been in business for 500 years.  You'd think it would get some respect.

However, the city says the structure is a fire hazard and the wood needs to be painted over with a flame resistant paint.  That would cover up thousands of hand-carved messages from service men and celebrities.

Bar manager Shelly Jones is fairly sure that Sir Francis Drake, the commander of the British fleet that defeated the Armada would like what is being forced on the bar, which, besides being rich in history, is also supposedly haunted.

No Paint.  --RoadDog

New Beer in Town, Route 66 Premium Beer

First we had that great Wilmington, Illinois, Root 66 Beer, now, we have something with a bit more of a kick. I speak of that new Route 66 Premium Beer. I haven't seen it yet, but understand it's in the UK.

Earlier this month, the UK's Barkeeper site mentioned that Protege International's Route 66 Premium Beeer was now available in 60 Tesco stores. Tesco stores are a lot like our Wal-Mart stores.

They have a website: www.route66beer.com which features a picture of Cadillac Ranch's cars, but with one of them a bottle of beer.

Some other things from the site:

"Route 66--a long, Rejuvenating, Lean, Cool drink."
"The unforgettable Route 66 is the embodiment of the American Dream."

The label has a desert scene with old car and the words Route 66 on it.

This Has Certainly Whetted My Taste. Hey, Pass Me One of Those 66es. --RoadDog

Viking Treasures Found in the United Kingdom

The July 20th Chicago Tribune reports in an Associated Press story, that a 9th century gilt silver container, probably taken by Vikings from a monastery has been found by a father-and-son treasure hunting team.

It contained quite a collection of coins and silver and was buried more than 1000 years ago. The British Museum reports that this is the largest find of its type in over 100 years. The items in the container came from Ireland, France, Russia, and Scandinavia.

David Whelan and his son Andrew were walking across a farmers field near Harrogate in northern England when their metal detector went off. They found the cache about a foot down in the soil. There were more than 600 coins and dozens of other objects including a gold arm band, silver ingots and fragments of silver.

These finds have to be reported to authorities in Britain.

I Can Just Imagine Their Hearts Racing When They Uncovered That!!! --RoadDog

To ATM or Not to ATM- Is That a Question?

Just in case this got by you without your knowing it, June 27 was the big 40th anniversary of the first ATM. For those of you who are technologically backward like me, that stands for Automated Teller Machine. I must admit, I've seen 'em, but have never, ever used one.

A June 28th Chicago Tribune article from AP "Thanks to the ATM, 40 years of quick cash" by Raphael G. Satter.

It said that the day before, an estimated $28 billion was given out at those machines worldwide. You can find them almost everywhere these days. They are even in bars, and how long before they'll be in public restrooms. "Let's see, I'm sitting here, oh yes, I could use some dough...."

It said that one version was set up in New York back in 1939, but "the first recognizably modern one was placed outside the Barclays PLC branch in Enfield, a north London suburb (a place where it's hard to know where the city ends and the suburbs begin), on June 27, 1967."

Since I've never used one, you users will have to figure out if the money-getting process is similar today. The first "customers were given special single-use vouchers that they placed into a drawer. After a personal identification number was entered, a second drawer sprang open with a ten-pound note."

The man who generally is considered to be its inventor, John Shepherd-Barron, said he came up with the idea after getting locked out of his bank. Ah, Necessity, the Mother of Invention.

By the end of the 1960s, there were 781 world-wide, mostly in Britain. Today, there are about 1.5 million around the world, and almost 400,000 in the US. Almost 165 million withdrawals are made daily. Why, there's even one at McMurdo Station at the South Pole, in case any penguins need the money. Right, "Happy Feet"?

I wonder if this bit of technology is a good or bad thing?

How did YOU celebrate the birthday and how many times do you use one a week? --RoadDog

Touring Great Britain by Train

The June 10th Chicago Tribune Travel Section had a trip made by a reporter around the island of Great Britain by rail. He went the opposite way that my mom, cousins Graham and Vickie, and I made last summer. And, we went on a bus tour.

I will mention the places that we both visited. First, he went to York with its winding streets of Tudor buildings. Britain's largest medieval cathedral is there, the Minster, where he spent an hour "marveling at the soaring interiors of this Gothic masterpiece."

Next stop was Edinburgh, where we spent two nights on Princess Street. He also stayed on the same street, I wonder of it was the same place. He headed over to the Royal Mile right away. The next day, he toured the hilltop castle.

On Day 3, he visited Stratford-Upon-Avon, "where local lad Will Shakespeare once walked."  Since it is often overrun by tourists (what was he?), I head early to his birthplace, a handsome timber townhouse."

Day 5 he went to Bristol and had a take-out Cornish pasty. He then went to Salisbury and took a bus out to Stonehenge where "20 minutes later I'm circling the ancient site- along with hundreds of chattering visitors. I scan the horizon to count the age old burial mounds ringing the site."

Back at Salisbury, he went to the cathedral.

Unfortunately, I lost the front page which had the reporter's name.

Brought back some memories of the trip last year. Hope Graham, Vickie, and Mom also got some from these. That sure was some Britain guide book that Vickie had gotten from the local library. That book actually went to where it was describing. Then. of course, we got maps and were plotting our course.

I will continue our trip saga on this blog in the near future.

Sure Had a Great Time in England. --RoadDog

The Cutty Sark Burns

The world's last remaining clipper ship, the Cutty Sark, caught fire on May 21st and was severely damaged. The people operating her since she became a museum in 1954 were in the process of an extensive restoration. Fortunately, a part of the ship had been removed at the time of the fire so not everything was lost.

She was built in 1869 on the River Clyde and was originally involved in the tea trade. At one time, the Cutty Sark was the fastest ship afloat. Since 1954, she has been in drydock by the Thames River in Greenwich, England.

I always thought the name was Cutty Shark. I also really like Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky, well, it took some getting used to the taste.

I was fortunate last summer to get to not only see the Cutty Sark in person, but I also took a tour of the vessel. It was during one of the hottest summers on record, and, not very pleasant below deck. This was one beautiful ship and I hope it can be rebuilt to its former glory.

--RoadDog