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Post by housesparrow on Mar 31, 2009 6:51:54 GMT
Sarah Brown will have the job of entertaining the spouses of the world's most powerful leaders during the G20 summit. At last year's G8 in Japan, the "first ladies" visited a traditional village and were introduced to the art of kimono folding.
If you were Mrs Brown, where would you take the wives (and one husband) to show them the best of Britain? What culture would you choose - and what "typically British" food would you serve?
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Post by riotgrrl on Mar 31, 2009 9:51:06 GMT
Sarah Brown will have the job of entertaining the spouses of the world's most powerful leaders during the G20 summit. At last year's G8 in Japan, the "first ladies" visited a traditional village and were introduced to the art of kimono folding. If you were Mrs Brown, where would you take the wives (and one husband) to show them the best of Britain? What culture would you choose - and what "typically British" food would you serve? Oooh, nice one Sparra!! Does it have to be in the London area, or can we imagine that the summit is taking place anywhere in the UK? |
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Post by housesparrow on Mar 31, 2009 10:10:25 GMT
Have jet, will travel. Or maybe just a private coach on a train will do better for our green credentials. London to Glasgow in three and a half hours now, isn't it?
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Post by riotgrrl on Mar 31, 2009 10:30:36 GMT
Have jet, will travel. Or maybe just a private coach on a train will do better for our green credentials. London to Glasgow in three and a half hours now, isn't it? I wouldn't bring them to Glasgow. Or Edinburgh. It's a 'British' state visit, so I'd stick to England. If we brought them to Scotland we're getting into a 'Scottish state visit', and that's a whole different load of issues. I'm thinking maybe York. Or would it be too embarassing to remind the English that they were once a conquered nation (by the Romans)? ( ;D) But York has that real English historic/heritage feel going on and I'm sure would make a good day-trip. Failing which, why not Newcastle to show the more modern side of England? I can't quite imagine Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni larging it without cardigans at the Big Market (? is that what it's called), but whenever i go thruogh Newcastle on the train I think there are some really beautiful buildings and bridges and stuff there, and it's a much ignored city. Never actually got off the train . . so it's still very much just an idea. |
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Post by housesparrow on Mar 31, 2009 10:43:03 GMT
If I were to show visitors the "real England" I would go up north too. I haven't been to Newcastle but if I took visitors there I would have to take them to some of the Roman sites along Hadrian's Wall, where they could see breathtaking scenery probably not imitated elsewhere in the world.
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Post by Patrick on Mar 31, 2009 12:18:28 GMT
How about Suffolk or Norfolk? I know it's been invaded by the second home owners as much as Cornwall or Devon and you'd be hard pressed to hear a local accent any more, but plenty of tradition going on still - (apart from the Marrying your sister type of thing of course!  ) A trip to one of our numerous derelict factories saying - this is where people used to work before the Global Corporations moved the business elsewhere, sacked all the workers and halved their pension schemes? Or would that be a bit bitter? Why don't they just have a game of tag in the playground? Bring out their "Inner Spacehopper" - Bet that's never happened before! |
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Post by riotgrrl on Mar 31, 2009 13:23:39 GMT
I know nothing about Norfolk beyond what I have learned from Alan Partridge.
Don't fancy it much.
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Post by swl on Mar 31, 2009 13:37:07 GMT
Take them to Bradford and say "Look, if your partners don't get a bloody grip this is what everywhere will look like".
Failing that, Madame Tussauds.
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Post by trubble on Apr 1, 2009 9:11:44 GMT
How about Suffolk or Norfolk? I know it's been invaded by the second home owners as much as Cornwall or Devon and you'd be hard pressed to hear a local accent any more, but plenty of tradition going on still - (apart from the Marrying your sister type of thing of course! ) A trip to one of our numerous derelict factories saying - this is where people used to work before the Global Corporations moved the business elsewhere, sacked all the workers and halved their pension schemes? Or would that be a bit bitter? Why don't they just have a game of tag in the playground? Bring out their "Inner Spacehopper" - Bet that's never happened before! Memo to self :  Do not ever be lured into going on a special 'PatrickToursInc' package holiday. |
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Post by trubble on Apr 1, 2009 9:14:24 GMT
Day 1
Private tour of Buck House or Windsor Castle.
Lunch included.
Some kiddies hospital for the 'ahhh' factor.
Evening Boat Party on the Thames.
Dinner and Mojitos included.
Day 2
The Lakes or The Moors or White Cliffs of Dover or similar natural beauty spot.
Picnic lunch on side of road beside caravan - egg sandwiches.
Afternoon at the bingo.
Evening meal at the Ivy or similar.
Followed by dancing and port at a Private Club and chatting into the wee hours.
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Post by Patrick on Apr 1, 2009 10:03:47 GMT
Memo to self : Do not ever be lured into going on a special 'PatrickToursInc' package holiday. I'm great at hoildays! Didn't you see the fabulous prize I laid on for Everso's Birthday? You were tempted by the game of Tag though weren'tcha! I could tell! |
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Post by trubble on Apr 1, 2009 10:11:39 GMT
Let's put on a package holiday for ARF.  Shall we bring him around Britain or around the world? edit: oops can't even spell Britain apparently so maybe not there.  |
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Post by Patrick on Apr 1, 2009 10:15:37 GMT
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Post by Patrick on Apr 1, 2009 10:22:15 GMT
edit: oops can't even spell Britain apparently so maybe not there. That's all right - I'm still wondering where "Hoilday" comes in the calendar! |
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Post by housesparrow on Apr 2, 2009 5:41:55 GMT
I've been racking my brains to think of a typically British pastime to rival kimono folding.
Sunday boot fairs?
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Post by trubble on Apr 2, 2009 8:37:37 GMT
Cricket?
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Post by riotgrrl on Apr 2, 2009 14:31:02 GMT
I've been racking my brains to think of a typically British pastime to rival kimono folding. Sunday boot fairs? Binge drinking surely? |
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Post by everso on Apr 2, 2009 15:00:28 GMT
For a kick off I'd take them all down Whitechapel High Street in London's East End to visit Tubby Isaac's shellfish stall and they'd all have to eat a plate of whelks.
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Post by everso on Apr 2, 2009 15:07:22 GMT
I know nothing about Norfolk beyond what I have learned from Alan Partridge. Don't fancy it much. Don't dismiss Norfolk. There are some lovely places in Norfolk and the beaches have sand dunes and stuff. Sandringham is definitely worth a visit when H.M.'s not there. Suffolk is quaint and there are some beautiful towns - Lavenham for one. And of course Rob lives in Suffolk. |
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Post by Patrick on Apr 2, 2009 15:08:33 GMT
For a kick off I'd take them all down Whitechapel High Street in London's East End to visit Tubby Isaac's shellfish stall and they'd all have to eat a plate of whelks. |
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