The Miss List

I came up with the list idea back in the early days, when I began to realise all the trappings of everyday life in England that I would miss. What better way for a self-confessed list obsessee?!

So then, in no particular order, here goes:

1) Nights being light after 10pm in summer - since we are so much further south here (the latitude of the UK is level with somewhere in Canada!), the light nights never get quite that extreme/cool

2) The English country pub - don't get me wrong, there are plenty of cool and varied bars to drink in here, but it just not quite the same. The American relationship with alcohol (including the influences of its puritanical roots and prohibition) means that none of these establishments have the same easy-going, family-friendly vibe

3) Puffins - my favourite bird. Well, with that face, who could blame me?! I'm not sure if those stubby little wings are enough to carry them over here!

4) Magpies - another favourite, with their black, white and blue plumage. Not spotted any here as yet

5) Meat pies - technically these are not 'missing' in America, although the tradition here is much more for fruit pies. It's very hard to find what they term "pot pies" in the supermarket, and the quality is awful! Karen and her HP sauce are forlorn :-)

6) Fish and chips - this is a quintessential entry to the list. As above, while it's fairly easy to find decent battered fish with some kind of chips in many a bar or seafood restaurant, they unfortunately can never be the fish and chips me and Dad used to pick up on a Saturday morning, or served in newspaper by the sea. I don't know what exactly makes the difference, but I can see me having fish and chips for breakfast, dinner & tea on future visits home!

7) Sausages - being one of my favourite foods, this has been a particular priority. America certainly has a great diversity of sausage types, mostly originating from the different immigrant cultures, be it German, Polish or Italian. These are all great, and something which I had no exposure to in the UK, but what I was looking for was a decent British sausage! After a bit of a search, I came across a butcher from Colchester who has a shop less than ten miles away - hallelujah!

8) Things you CAN get (for a price) - Jamaica ginger beer, Walker's shortbread, salt & vinegar crisps, chocolate digestives, Smarties, clotted cream, Ribena. Airdrops of said goods would be gratefully received!

9) Things you won't find for love nor money - Cadbury's Dairy Milk/hot chocolate, Milky Way, butterscotch Angel Delight, prawn cocktail crisps, cordial, pork pie.

10) British humour - American comics and comedy shows are great in their own right. Of course I've seen many of them before at home. What I miss is the edginess of shows like Top Gear and the Inbetweeners - it's enough to make a poor American blush ;-) - and the cutting whit and satire of classics like Have I Got News For You

11) Bonfire night - "Remember, remember the fifth of November - gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." This celebration commemorates the failure of one Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament during a visit by King James I in 1605. Every year there are huge fireworks displays and bonfires across the country. Standing out on a freezing cold night in the warmth of the bonfire, watching the beautiful fireworks is something I have always enjoyed. Sadly, no more - no British-focused organisation or business here is doing anything for it :-(