Anyone have good news to share about the U.K.? ??

The tv prog The Big Build. The British at their best ????

lemongrove Quote [Grandad the Andre Rieu concerts on tv are very good, my only ‘dislike’ is his hair, which for some reason I find very off putting.] End Quote

lemongrove, he has had long hair (or should that be "longish) for most of his life/career. However, he did re-style it shorter a few years back following his heart problems brought on by stress.

He now has gone back to his more traditional "longish look." So, perhaps the length of his hair signals the level of his stress.

However, he and his orchestra are wonderfull performers and perhaps what does not come across in the recorded televised concerts is how funny they all are when seeing them live.

One minute you are in fits of laughter, and the next, the sound and strength of the music overwhelms you, and you are literally in tears.

And I am not usually the emotional type.

Ooops, sorry to be a bit political there. (Don't want to bring anyone down.)

The heady sweet aroma in the air of summer flowers in the garden at dusk is my happy time of late.

Another here who agrees SirChenjin Good post.

I cannot be the only one who's noticed that the UK is an abysmal place to live, according to the Labour Party who trade in abject misery (everywhere) and really do need a new logo - "Everything is Awful" Has anyone else noticed?

The research by By Demos "The Optimism Project" states that most people are perfectly happy with their lives in the UK. (You'd think we were living on the edge of an abyss if you read the thoughts of certain GN posters )

If you ask them about the UK in general though, apparently it is dysfunctional politics in Westminster, and dismal politicians telling us 'life is crap' that is bringing them down. The squabbling and self-serving nature of the House of Commons over the last three years has been appalling. It is a topic of conversation, more so than Brexit itself. Most people are outraged that our politicians seem to be working within the Westminster bubble, and have forgotten the people who elected them.

So, most of us are doing OK and most of us are glad (still) that we live in the UK with so many great things going for it.

Perhaps we should stop reading the GN News and Politics forum? Could it be to blame for much of our discontent?

I'm with the optimists!

Not having to pay to use the loo (I’m looking at you, Netherlands - even in department stores! <traumatised > )

And people picking up after their dogs (most of the time).

Ah! Thanks SirC

Grandad the Andre Rieu concerts on tv are very good, my only ‘dislike’ is his hair, which for some reason I find very off putting.

I like an orderly queue, and knowing that if the bus is full the people who got there first will be the ones who get on!

Should anyone wish to hear and see André Rieu and his orchestra, there is an extensive video collection on YouTube and a number of his full concerts on the Sky Arts channel.

Great atmosphere here in Maastricht with fans of all generations and from all over Europe in the city for the concerts, Groups of musicians from the orchestra are to be seen around the town throughout the day.

Great stuff, turning out to be the holiday of a lifetime.

No lemon I’m not a Sir (or a bloke!)

Crystaltipps
Not all of them, but most. IMHO.

Actually, I love our weather, so many changes with proper Seasons, I couldn’t be doing with wall to wall sunshine.

I agree SirC ( are you really a Sir?)
Well said Happychops if misery guts don’t like this thread why join in at all.

I like lots of things about the U.K. - beaches that are free to access, free museums, the NHS, the fact that we’re going through Brexit and Indy refs and there hasn’t been widespread rioting or murders, open countryside, national parks, our openness and tolerance in comparison to many other countries, M&S food...the list is endless really. Sure, things could be better but overall it’s not as bad as we often make out it is.

Exactly crystaltipps. (Thu 18-Jul-19 17:37:01)

Lovely to hear of your trip Grandad.

Enjoy Grandad have often watched his televised concerts ???

Apologies my above post should read "tomorrow nights concert", not "tonights concert"

Wine getting to me already. ??

Many happy Brits here in Maastricht Belgium. They are all here along with many from other European Nations to see the famous André Rieu concerts that he and his orchestra give every year at this venue.

We arrived Saturday with tickets for the Sunday concert, and enjoyed ourselves so much we have managed to obtain six more (the size of our group) for tonight's performance.

This time we shall be seated outside one of the cafes around the outside of the square, so, the wine no doubt will be flowing like water.

Also been to several of the first and second world war monuments (Menin Gate etc) where there were also many Brits paying there respects and tributes, and that is a profoundly moving experience.

So, the British at their best out here, and great to witness.

And of course we are far superior to all those foreign places.

Why do people think we need cheering up with repeating nice things about the U.K.? ( though mostly seems to be England on here). Maybe because we have huge social divisions, we have unstable government, the £ is tanking and there is lots of uncertainty about the future. Oh but never mind we have cricket on the village green, jam for tea and some beautiful scenery so we can all feel smug.

Think Ken Dodd ladies,
Please feel free to join in ,
?Happiness , Happiness, is the the greatest gift that we possess , I thank the Lord that we’ve been blessed with a little bit of happiness ?
Get out your tickling sticks ladies ohh tattyfaleraity , or something like that ??

You?
You now appears prepared to join in and stir happychops and do I hear a faint resemblance to Trump getting the crowds to shout "send her home" in your post? I thought we were all Gransnetters and all able to post where we choose.

Why are people bickering? This post seemed to be created to encourage people to put on happy things to cheer people up, yet you squabble.
I feel sad that people who try to be optimistic and look on the bright side of things can’t do that on gransnet. If you do not want to join in with this lovely post, please feel free to look for another that would suit your needs better.

The N.T, beautiful coastline, super niche pubs, the green, green grass of home!