Background: Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter is suspended due to bickering over the peace process.
June 18th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Chester The last few days have been very busy! On our last day in Edinburgh we climbed Arthur's Seat, a large hill overlooking the city and then had lunch at a pub about 20 minutes outside of the city. The ... [full story]
April 1st 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Chester
Our little Ka (photo) was quite comfortable and easy to drive. It made it easier on Michael that Britain drives on the left hand side of the road. We also received some helpful advice about safe d ... 11 photos[full story]
May 29th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire Filled with another massive breakfast we made our way through the country lanes of Cheshire in double quick time. The sunshine even stayed with us as we found our to way to Manchester.
Rolfe's drea ... [full story]
May 19th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Wirral So.................home it is!
128 days, 13 flights, 20 hostels, 8 hotels and mikes set of bed bugs later and it was back to England on the first ever flight into the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow, t ... [full story]
April 28th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Wirral (N&P)
- Touched down back in Blighty on 3rd March, it felt a bit chilly after several months of baking heat. Family friends Breda and Sean opened their home to us for the first two nights back, fe ... 69 photos[full story]
April 28th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire After a massive English breakfast (which following closely on the heels of last nights enormous dinner, was not strictly needed), we headed off along Torside reservoir, crossed the dam and then along ... 12 photos[full story]
March 26th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Nantwich Phase 2... mmm.... Forgot that an MOT was due this month. I had the big 80K service done in January (which fortunately I hadn't forgotten - £500 - and I won't be forgetting in a hurry) when they told ... 4 photos[full story]
April 3rd 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Chester One of the coolest women I have ever known is called Jane Barnard. The mother of my friend Joe, she is one of the woman I aspire to be as I grow older. She raised four sons, one of whom was killed i ... 15 photos[full story]
April 2nd 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Chester This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden - demi-paradise -
This fortress built by nature for herself
Against infection and the hand ... [full story]
March 19th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cheshire » Nantwich
The week started badly. I got "told off" (by a Hungarian... yeah as if getting 'told-off' at aged 38 was not enough, it came from a foreigner) for using a red pen to feedback to students. Apparently ... 20 photos[full story]
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