Well I have finally moved to Windsor just two weeks ago and adjusting to my new life here. I tried to change my user name to MOVEDtoengland but can't
figure out a way. I discovered where the "South Path" is and walk it almost daily now as it's a great direct way to get to Peascod Street.
(Thanks to everyone here who contributed to the previous South Path thread!)
I do have some questions I hope I can find answers to here on the Royal Windsor Forum!
First, where is a good place to get Fish & Chips takeaway? (And are those really called Chippies?)
Is there a local newspaper that I can subscribe to that delivers papers to my house?
Why can't a find a cannister set that includes a cannister for flour?
I have learned what the word YOB means - but where does it come from? Is it an abbreviation for something?
Why are all the eggs brown?
Is it true that when the Queen is in Windsor the planes stop flying over us?
I thought it was supposed to be cool and raining all the time in England - what's with this gorgeous weather since I've been here??
Will the mailman pick up letters from my house or do I have to drop them in a postbox?
Was Ward Royal really in Clockwork Orange?
That's all I can think of right now, I'm sure I'll be back with more!
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The Royal Windsor Forum |
MOVED to England
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 movingtoEngland |
MOVED to England |
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Posts: 31 ( 2-Jun-2009 06:43 PM) |
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BobB |
Moved to England | ||
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Posts: 167 ( 2-Jun-2009 07:21 PM) |
Hello and WELCOME to Windsor.
Sorry, but you have to find a postbox for your mail. Yes, Ward Royal was in Clockwork Orange. I am sure all your questions will be answered. Good luck and enjoy your life in Windsor,we love our town and I am sure You will. I am drinking a welcoming toast to You right now. Regards BobB |
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thamesweb |
Chippies in Windsor... | ||
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Posts: 1788 ( 2-Jun-2009 10:21 PM) |
First, where is a good place to get Fish & Chips takeaway? (And are those really called Chippies?) The 'chippie' (Yes! But strictly speaking the 'local chippie'!) in St Leonards Road, opposite the Arts Centre, serves up a rather greasy/oily version of our national dish so I resorted to the 'chippie' in Dedworth - I think it is called Topps. They are the best I have found these days given that several have turned into Fried Chicken shops ('chiccies'!!... no, I am joking!) or Pizza Palaces (Palace! Pah!). I am told that a couple of the Chinese Take-Aways do a nice fish 'n' chips. Anyone know any others? Why can't I find a cannister set that includes a cannister for flour? Try a charity shop. Don't they do stick on labels these days? Or how about Tupperware? There are three local papers, the Windsor Advertiser, Windsor Observer and Windsor Express, the latter being delivered free in certain parts of the town, but I think you will need to talk to your newsagent around the corner and see what he can do. Trouble is local papers rather shot themselves in the foot by delivering for free and taking away sales from the newsagents. A number of the news stories they feature are included on their web sites but far be it from me to advertise them! Why are all the eggs brown? Are they? There is of course no difference in their content, but for many years people used to think there was, so brown was preferred over white. Is it true that when the Queen is in Windsor the planes stop flying over us? No! It is a 'wind thing'. The flight direction should change at least once a day, usually around 3.00pm. what's with this gorgeous weather... Beginner's luck! Will the mailman pick up letters from my house or do I have to drop them in a postbox? Dream on! There is normally a postbox not far away. |
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cranbourne |
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Posts: 24 ( 3-Jun-2009 12:11 AM) |
"No! It is a 'wind thing'. The flight direction should change at least once a day, usually around 3.00pm. "
Not quite. A bit more complicated than that, and irrespective of what the wind is doing, Windsor is always under an active flight path, whether it be for Heathrow's inbound or outbound planes. Wind predominantly from the East is the worst scenario - all inbounds will route overhead. Buy some good noise-cancelling headphones! |
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thamesweb |
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Posts: 1789 ( 3-Jun-2009 08:20 AM) |
Well, yes, OK, slightly simplified, but departures to the west are routed to the south of Windsor, over the park, if at all possible which can be a relief up
to a point.
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movingtoEngland |
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Posts: 32 ( 3-Jun-2009 02:13 PM) |
Thanks BobB for the welcome toast! Yes I think I will like living here.
I tried putting letters in my mail slot yesterday and found they were shoved back inside my house. I hope my postman doesn't hate me now... Could have sworn I saw an episode of "Keeping Up Appearances" where Mrs. Bucket hands the postman a letter to mail and fusses over whether the proper postcode would be stamped on it LOL. There is a postbox a few houses down from me so it's no problem at all though. I don't mind the brown eggs, just seemed strange not to find any white as it's difficult to even find a brown egg where I used to live. (Egg colouring at Easter must not be a popular activity here!) I find it even more odd that the eggs aren't refrigerated at the store, I thought they had to be but obviously not. I've spent quite a bit of time going through the charity shops around Windsor. Having to restock an entire household from scratch, I have to find ways to cut corners! I try to buy as much as I can locally instead of heading out to the big superstores in Slough, etc. though. I always figure the locally run businesses need my business much more than the huge chains. (I never shopped at WalMart in the states...) Finding bargains and good offers in Windsor has become a challenge for me. I still don't understand what most people do with their flour though - it won't fit in the tiny cannisters that I can only seem to find here. Very perplexing.... I'll give Topps a try for fish one night. Haven't tried the one on St. Leonards but discovered a neat little food shop called the Windsor Larder nearby. (We bought a bbq grill at the local hardware store and was told that the man's name on our bbq also owns the Windsor Larder.) I've tried to look up info on Ward Royal and Clockwork Orange but I can't find Windsor as a filming location. There is another concrete apartment complex that is listed as a location in Thamesmead South? I noticed some times of day the plane traffic seems worse. Other days I don't notice it at all. My husband isn't the least bit bothered because he grew up living near Chicago O'Hare airport and says I won't notice it after a while. Still in search of the best place for Sunday Roast in the area. I think next weekend we'll try the Duke of Connaught on Arthur Road. Last weekend we tried the Bexley Arms which was very good. I won't know the best though 'till we've tried them all! Our dog is enjoying being able to go into the pubs with us and is getting to know all the local pub dogs as well so she is doing great. That's all 'till next time - cheers! |
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thamesweb |
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Posts: 1790 ( 3-Jun-2009 05:05 PM) |
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vikingnick |
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Posts: 32 ( 4-Jun-2009 03:40 PM) |
Welcome to Windsor and glad you're enjoying it. I'm sure you'll soon settle right in.
Couple of points of view on your questions: Funny how different tastes are. I think the chippie in St Leonard's Road does a great bag of chips, so worth trying all of them until you find the right one for you. Most of them don't open on Sunday or Mondays though. The Windsor Observer can be ordered direct from their offices and is cheaper if you order it for a year in advance - about £11.00 I think and you get a booklet of vouchers for local businesses. Only problem is that it gets delivered most weekends late on a Saturday afternoon, which is no good for the What's on this weekend' section, if its reporting about something on the previous Friday night or Saturday daytime !!! I think the way you know if the Queen is in the castle is when they fly the Royal Standard rather than the Union Jack - but I might be wrong and no doubt will be corrected. Don't worry about the weather,' normal service' will be resumed soon !! Finally, try The Alma pub in Springfield Road for a Sunday lunch. They are a little pricey, but very generous and try to go on a sunny day as they have a great garden and the pub dog is a little black scotty type. Very friendly. Good luck. |
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thamesweb |
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Posts: 1791 ( 4-Jun-2009 07:32 PM) |
Absolutely right... the Royal Standard flies when the Queen is in residence.
Saw several flour canisters in the shop at the garden centre at the very end of Clarence Road, Dedworth Road, beyond Tesco, but they have just reorganised the entrance so you have to walk in at the far side, and make your way all the way around the garden centre before you can even get into the covered area!! Not a good plan! |
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BobB |
Garden/Keep fit centre. | ||
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Posts: 171 ( 5-Jun-2009 08:20 PM) |
I noticed many people using the exit as the entrance.
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spranglebolt |
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Posts: 61 ( 6-Jun-2009 09:16 AM) |
Just a minor point. I've always understood that there are two different Royal Standards flown at the round tower as alternatives to the Union flag. When
the really humungous one is flown HM is in residence, but when the normal sized one is flying it's just one of her substantial family or hangers-on who are
hanging about there. Please don't tell me I'm wrong after all these years!
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spranglebolt |
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Posts: 62 ( 6-Jun-2009 09:20 AM) |
As our esteemed moderator has reported, Wyvale is mucking about with the garden centre, no doubt because the group is in some difficulty. Another aspect is
that they now devote more space to furniture etc than plants, arguably because there's more profit. Personally I prefer Squires.
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thamesweb |
The size of the Royal Standard | ||
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Posts: 1794 ( 6-Jun-2009 09:46 AM) |
I am afraid you are wrong about the size of the flag indicating the status of those present at the castle. The Royal Standard is only flown when the queen is
in residence and the size selected is more to do with how windy it is than anything else - except when there is a Royal Birthday or Garter Day or some other
special event in which case they fly the 'Birthday Standard' (aka The Ceremonial Standard), weather permitting, which is truly ginormous. It measures
38 feet (11.58 meters) across by 19 feet (5.79 meters) deep. It takes two people to hoist it at the moment when the Queen enters the grounds of the castle.
I have seen this flag flown in quite windy conditions with the flag streaming out from the flag pole which must be under some strain, but protocol requires that the largest flag be hoisted. However, I am sure that if there is any danger of the flag pole being ripped out, then a smaller flag would be raised. Take a look at Victorian, or earlier illustrations of the castle and you will often see an over-large flag flying which must be the Ceremonial Flag. Coincidence or what when the artist was painting his picture? |
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Hazel Austin |
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Posts: 252 ( 9-Jun-2009 02:24 PM) |
Here at last then - and the dog! I'm usually in the history forum, so I found you by luck looking for something
else, but having seen the fascinating conversations this end - chippies, flour bins and brown eggs - I shall hang out here more often now in case I miss
something :-)
Last Edited By: Hazel Austin
9-Jun-2009 02:34 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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Pat Larkin |
Flour cannisters, 'yobs' and little differences in our vocabulary. | ||
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Posts: 640 (12-Jun-2009 10:50 AM) |
Hello, M.T.E. I hope you're settling in gradually and you are feeling a little more 'at home' in England. By now, you will have sussed-out,
(worked out), many of the little differences you may come across 'over here'....I was going to comment on the lack of 'Flour' cannisters, jars
or containers, but left it a bit late... Can I just say though, that I've had a 'tea, sugar and coffee' set for donkeys years now, but I've
never owned or used a 'flour' jar......I think perhaps, the reason is that we tend to buy just enough flour to make our cakes, pies, tarts and quiches,
then buy more on the next shopping expedition.....Maybe in the olden days, (our parents' era), they stored flour because it was necessary to do so. We have
fresh food deliveries every day now in the big supermarkets, but years ago, perhaps smaller grocers could only take so much of each commodity, and customers
would buy more than they needed, just in case the shop 'ran out'...hence, storage jars.
We call stores 'shops', we call purses 'handbags'. We say we are going to 'catch' the bus, whereas you might say 'take the bus'. Our 'shopping precinct' is your 'shopping mall'. So many small differences, but isn't it lovely learning the 'new' language, and you'll find everyone will be only too pleased to help you out if you get stuck!!.....I visited America and hadn't realised til that trip, how many of our everyday words are different. I enjoyed the experience of converting my English to American and found it refreshing to speak English but in a different way. On another thread on the forum, I've written that I asked a barman for 'Archers and Lemonade with no ice', he, not understanding my request, replied 'Excuse me Ma'am'. My cousin, who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years, explained, 'the lady wants Schnapps with 7up and hold the ice'....that to me was smashing, and I remember that particular moment every time I see '7Up' in a magazine advertisement. (Oh, we pronounce that word 'adverticement', so you see, lots to adjust to still, but you'll cope and love the experience too. If you enter 'Yob' into Google, then choose 'Wikipedia', they'll explain in full about the 'yob' word. It surprised me that it's as old a descriptive term as it is - if that makes sense...I think the London 'backslang', (reversed language), was my choice of explaining how we came by this word. Have a go and you may be a little surprised at what you read. One more thing, M.T.E., do watch yourself on our roundabouts, that's if you have a go at driving...I didn't see a single roundabout in America, (Nevada or California). Lots of cross-roads, but not a roundabout it sight. Remember, 'look right, left, then right again'...really, just reverse the procedure you used back home, and good luck. |
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thamesweb |
The Royal Standard Today | ||
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Posts: 1842 (15-Jun-2009 07:03 PM) |
The Royal Standard was flown today to mark 'Garter Day' when members of the Most Noble Order of the Garter gather at the castle as guests of the Queen
for lunch and a subsequent service in St George's Chapel. The procession of the Garter Knights in all their finery from the Upper Ward to the Chapel is a
remarkable sight.
But this post is really about the giant Ceremonial Royal Standard which earlier in the day was wrapped around the flag pole in the absence of much wind but which towards the end of the day was replaced by a much smaller version as rain and the chance of a thunderstorm or two swept through the Thames Valley. Royal Standard Flying in 2008 The Royal Standard will be flown all week as the Queen is in residence for 'Royal Ascot Week'. |
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movingtoEngland |
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Posts: 33 (16-Jun-2009 01:55 PM) |
Hello, sorry I've been away so long! I've been a bit under the weather so my adventures in Windsor have for the time being slowed down considerably.
No I have not found a flour cannister yet...in fact I stopped in the little kitchen shop (yes I am calling it a shop already and not a store!) and asked if they had such a thing and was told, "We are asked that question frequently by people from abroad." (Which I am pretty sure translated to, "Yet ANOTHER American asking a silly question..") But unfortunately, no such item existed in their shop. I am now the owner of three smallish identically sized stainless cannisters. (The typical American set has 3 or 4 cannisters in graduated sizes.) One I have filled with sugar, another coffee, but the third remains empty. I haven't quite figured out what a person would purchase in three equal quantities that they'd want in cannisters on a countertop. My box of teabags is much too large to fit. I'll get back to you on that... I wouldn't mind one of those large enameled metal cannisters though. It's funny how so many words have double meanings in the USA and the UK. I've already discovered that lemonade is actually 7-UP. But when I was looking for packages of lemonade drink mix at the store, I couldn't find any! Powdered drink mixes are so common and have been around so long I took it for granted they would be here. After not finding anything of the sort my hubby inquired at his workplace and I found out there is a product called "Squash" which is the equivelant to making (American) lemonade. I noticed the bottle of Squash I purchased had the Royal Seal on it so I figure if it's good enough for the Queen it must be good enough for me! Also what we call chips you would call crisps, and what you call chips we would call french fries. American jelly would be something to spread on toast. An American biscuit would be a savory scone-like item, a pudding would be a specific milk-based, custard-like dessert. There are many more, I'll have to start keeping a list. I figured I may as well just get used to brown eggs and haven't really looked for white ones ever since. If I feel compelled to color eggs for Easter I may have to search for white ones. Not sure about the eggs in the states being free-range or not - honestly I had never noticed eggs being advertised as free-range until I came here so I'm not at all sure what the conditions are for the chickens there. The eggs in my refrigerator right now are brown, free-range eggs! Speaking of grocery stores in general - what is different with the shopping trollies (we'd call them shopping carts) ? All 4 wheels want to go every which way or something. Looking around at others though it seems I'm the only one having problems? I hadn't quite figured out what to call the main shopping area - I've been calling it "downtown". It is called the "shopping mall" though? I haven't figured out how to say the word "garage" the English way yet. I bought a bottle of Waitrose "Squeezy Brown Sauce" which made me feel instantly more British  . Seems such a funny unimaginative name, though.
It's been a real adjustment not having electrical outlets in the bathroom. (Personally I think it's a conspiracy against women since I am SURE I've seen outlets for men's electric shavers in UK bathrooms...) I've been drying my hair blindly in my bedroom where there is an outlet. Considering the fact I have very thick, curly, unruly hair, the results have not been good! Walking around Windsor, I've noticed that most women not only don't have bad looking hair, but on the contrary look very nicely coiffed. So after explaining my horrible dilemma to my hubby he found a nice large mirror at a boot sale for our bedroom this past weekend and I can now see what I am doing. My dog Maggie has two new pub dog friends - Haggis and Bono. She loves going to the pub and has discovered "pork scratchings". I don't think I'll ever get the nerve to drive here - we didn't have roundabouts where I came from either and I haven't quite figured them out yet. If I ever drove here I think I'd have to get a tiny car, like a Smart car, to be able to park in all the tight little spots and get through the narrow streets. I just don't think my driving skills are good enough to drive here! My hubby bought an average sized car and is used to driving here now though. I wonder how many times I will hear "You must be used to a much larger car in the USA?" which is funny because this car is actually larger than the one we had in the states. I missed the procession of Garter Knights, I'll have to look out for that next year because I'd like to see it. I missed the giant Royal Standard too. 
Well I guess that's all for now - I'm trying out a new British recipe for dinner tonight so better get started on it. I purchased a Yorkshire Pudding baking pan but haven't tried it out yet. I'm not sure if I have a good recipe yet for that. Actually, I haven't bought flour yet because of the whole flour cannister problem and I can't make the Yorkshire Puddings till I have flour! |
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Pat Larkin |
10 out of 10 for trying, MTE. | ||
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Posts: 649 (16-Jun-2009 04:14 PM) |
I loved your posting, and I congratulate you on your efforts to use English words in your everyday vocabulary.....I agree about the 'outlets' in the
bathrooms over here, (which, by-the-way, we call 'plugs' or sometimes, 'sockets'). You will find yourself speaking so 'Englishly' one
morning, (excuse the bad grammar), that it will come naturally to you....Bite the bullet, get some flour, and make those Yorkshires....it's not rocket
science and we all have to learn the hard way.....I make my batter mix either the night before, and put it, covered in clingfilm, in the fridge, or, an hour
before I want to pour it into hot fat and put it in a hot oven. Give the mixture a good beating to get those air bubbles moving, have a go. You will conquer
all these little obstacles, MTE, but don't put pressure on yourself....have a bit of fun and laugh at your disasters....I've had many, so, you'll
be in good company..... I made 'fairy' cakes, (chocolate ones), when I first had children round for a birthday party. They were like rocks, so, my two
girls took them into the garden and rolled them down the garden path. They had great fun with their little friends, watching my fairy cakes bouncing on the
pavement. Everyone had a go and I got over my disappointment very quickly....Egg custard, I thought, was the usual custard mix but with a raw egg added and
whisked in.....NO, this was a complete disaster and everyone laughed so much that I had to agree with them, I was no great cook....I had invented custard and
scrambled egg - disgusting, but another lesson learned the hard way.....
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BobB |
Sockets in bathrooms | ||
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Posts: 181 (16-Jun-2009 07:35 PM) |
Good evening Ladies.
The shaver outlets found in bathrooms,without getting complicated, are different to ordinary outlets.They are also made only for low powered appliances,such as shavers,toothbrushes etc. MTE.There is another problem to consider,in most circumstances,our voltage is about double of that in the U,S.Please never be tempted to use anything electrical(using commonsense)in the bathroom,unless it is meant to be used in the shaver socket. Regards BobB
Last Edited By: BobB
16-Jun-2009 09:12 PM.
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cranbourne |
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Posts: 26 (16-Jun-2009 07:59 PM) |
Hello MTE
not sure if this will help, but here we go... In the village of Virginia Water (8 miles SE of Windsor) there is a sizeable community of your fellow countrymen and women, particularly in the area near the railway station and the 'Old Sanatorium' development opposite - the area is sometimes referred to as 'Little America'. With ACS and TASIS both only a short distance away, there's no shortage of chances to meet up with your fellow countryfolk. Also, there was a shop in VW called 'Natural Meats' which sold, amongst other things, genuine foodstuff commodities from the USA - I suppose it was attempting to cater for the US community 'niche market' on its doorstep. I think the shop has closed now, but I would not be surprised if somebody nearby has had the forethought to take up where Natural Meats has left off. Could be worth a drive out to have a look, meet a few people, and if nothing happening, you could always go for a stroll around VW Lake - worth the trip on its own! Also, a morning coffee in Starbucks at the Staines branch of Sainsbury's will often reveal even more people with a familiar accent - especially the ladies. good luck, and welcome to England! |
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movingtoEngland |
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Posts: 34 (20-Jun-2009 06:39 PM) |
Thanks for all the advice! The story about fairy cakes made me laugh - though I had to look up fairy cakes to see what they were, they sound much like American
cupcakes. Ok so I finally bought flour (no cannister yet though) and will be making (or attempting to make) Yorkshire puddings tomorrow, as well as a
"Sunday Roast". We'll see how it goes...
I've been told about all the Americans living in Virginia Water but haven't been there yet. Starbucks seems to be everywhere these days - it originated in the state of Washington. Coffee is the morning drink of choice for most Americans, but I've been drinking more tea since I've moved to England to be less American and more English I guess. I think I even prefer the "squash" now to the powdered lemonade drink mixes that I couldn't find. For now I'm trying to figure out all things English and try to learn to live like an English person, if I can. Bob you are correct, it would not be lovely to get electrocuted anytime soon! 
I'll get back to you on the Sunday Roast and Yorkshire puddings. |
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