I am glad to be British because

Manchester Christmas Market comes out in the Top Ten Christmas Markets in Europe. So that's something else that is good about being British. We copy things well.

Thatbags The bread in Iceland was very very good as well. No doubt made in the same tradition.

I must try and get some recipes.

one of these would be nice

Ah yes! Sweden. I'll have to look into doing Norway.

This is more interesting than flags isn't it.

I bought some Wessex Mill strong flour from the garden centre yesterday. I must remember to get some in time for lunch. I used to use the Canadian extra strong from Waitrose, when I used to be very serious about breadmaking. It was very good. I used half wholemeal and half strong white. Nowadays I see you can buy ready mixed 'half and half' flour.

No. Gothenburg is in Sweden.

I can't remember why I went to Gothenburg. It rained.

I can't remember if I've been to Norway. Is Gothenburg in Norway? I've been there.

I use strong Canadian wheat.

Bread is good in Norway too. Just saying

And bread I make at home, even in a machine, is at least as good as any I've bought anywhere, including actual manna (made from sprouted wheat grain; delish) in Los Angeles. Just saying again.

I don't agree that "Britishness ,is the envy of the world" Marmark1 and I think it is one of the British arrogances think it is. Many of the richest countries are seen as good places to go to and most people would just like their own country to be safe. Why should people want to be us if they could have safety and a reasonable life in their own country and who has interfered so much and caused a great many of the problems.

I like living here but can we please get things into some sense of proportion.

I do feel, and it is probably just the way I read it, but rather than "I am glad to be British because ... " which feels as if it carries a sense of entitlement I would be happy to give lots of answers to "I like living here because ..." that would include all our forum members, where ever they live, too.

Bread! In bakers' shops. It's much better than anything you can buy abroad. French loaves always look better than they turn out to be. Ours are delish.

Dare I say ,Ahem,all the wonderful Britishness ,is the envy of the world.Thats why they want to come here.

Deary me. This thread has degenerated into what would locally be called on Twitter a #fleg discussion! Please don't go there! We specialise in flags here.

I have dual nationality being British and Irish. I wouldn't mind living in the Republic of Ireland. Very friendly talkative people ....but no NHS! Charged for having to stay in hospital!! Or I would like to live in England near my children and grandchildren where people are tolerant and polite but a bit reserved.

As it is I am stuck here in N.Ireland with the best and worst of both worlds

A garden shed near me proudly flies the White Rose of Yorkshire!
I rather like the Exmoor flag but regrettablyhave no reason to fly it.

Indinana woops! Re Terry Wogan being from 'the British Isles', I don't think the majority of the population would take kindly to you saying that

Northern Ireland is part of the British Isles but not the Republic of Ireland.

OlderNoWiser when I was being interviewed for a teaching job at a local college I was told English is a difficult language to learn and it was a huge advantage to speak English.

I taught many adults whose first language was not English and they all thought the same. Foreign students always wanted to speak English to get practice with 'natural' English speakers. Perhaps now it's easier for children to learn English than adults because of TV, the Internet and social media. So much is in English that we don't give a second thought to. Even if you Google a page and it is not in English, press the button and it's translated for you.

I don't like seeing flags in gardens either, unless it's to do with a sporting event or something like that. In my area the BNP fielded a candidate at the last election, so some will support that party. They lost their deposit, but it is still significant change in the local community. I am not keen on seeing flags as I perceive them as signalling support for parties like the BNP and UKIP.

I do like the idea of a red dragon in the centre of the Union Jack. Wales should have its own representation. When I've seen the Welsh flag flying in Wales, a lot of the time the Union Jack is next to it.

Just occurred to me - with a dragon on hand you wouldn't need a hot glue gun, just get him to breathe on the glue stick (but not on the fabric)

RQ you are in the supernatural bit
Oh no, all normal here, that's just up the road in Herefordshire.
All very strange up there (where my ancestors are from)

My sewing machine is out, left up from another job, I could get cracking in the morning.
Now, how to train your dragon to sit nicely in the middle while I applique around him
Perhaps I could train him to hold a

Oh dear, I really am off to now.

I have a workshop full of DH's tools - all too big and heavy for me, plus I am not very confident with power tools. I am gradually buying tools that suit the size of my hands and my much weaker muscles. Best yet is an electric screwdriver. A mini hot glue gun sounds useful.

Thanks for the tip Elegran, I must get one. I am still pleased with your tip about using a bath scrunchie to clean the sink.

Spoilsport!

You could use a glue gun. I am tempted to get one after reading one of the threads and looking on Amazon (the mini ones are only £6 to £10)

There will be no patch sorry

That's good, because I forget where the sewing box is, haven't used it in years.