"You know what I haven't done? Sat whinging and nursing the shoulder chip of low esteem."

Good point. I have to say Sir Musket, I admire your unquestioning self-confidence in your opinions, and your dogged refusal to entertain the view they might occasionally be flawed. I've never been an alpha male I'm pleased to say.

Bill D - I agree with Sir M and think you would find it fascinating here. Things are always different when you see them first hand and while the stately piles of the aristocracy are certainly worth a look as ever it's the smaller things that I think you'd find most interesting, the nooks and crannies of the towns and villages.

As for pubs, get over here asap to sample them, they're being closed down at a frightening rate. Our session pub is due to shut in February, parts of it are 14th century and the owners, the execrable Punch Taverns won't spend a penny on upkeep. There are astill good pubs to be found, but even the most spit and sawdust ones are in danger of gentrification. Ugh.