As an
ex South African, before I can delve deep into the benefits of being integrated
into British society, I have to consider this question: What has Britain given
me besides the side effects of colonialism?
Here
is the list of answers I came up with:
- The Weather
- Freedom of speech
- A gateway to other countries
- Dr Who – specifically David Tennant
- Buses every 10, 12 or 20 minutes apart
- The courage to be who I really wanted to be
- Excellent period dramas on the Beeb & Channel 4
- Terry Pratchett & a truck load of other favourite authors
- Priceless friendships
- My teaching career
- My writing career
- Argentine Tango
- Lindy Hop
The main
thing Britain has given me above all else is the ability to think on my
feet. This is crucial in the
temperamental environment of the UK. The
first 10 years of my 3 decade stay in the UK was one of a seemingly perpetual
winter – much like that of the Wall in Game
Of Thrones if people need a visual clue. Thermal vests and leggings are now
my bosom buddies. Sorry BFFs Bev, Chantal, Mands et al - I know you thought
differently.
So it
will come as no surprise that I value Thermal Underwear with vigour and rely on
my ability to layer clothing. It took
many years of intensive study for me to perfect this particular art. Even now I
sometimes get it wrong as it is an ever changeable thing with more to learn at
each turn.
While
at university in Salford I quickly learnt that walking at speed is a great way
to stay warm. If this doesn’t work make sure you have a Macdonalds enroute so
you can nip into their toilets and use the hand-dryers as hand-warmers. I still
employ this technique to good effect now.
Bus
Roulette was a game I devised one day when it was cold, wet and cold and wet.
What this involves is taking any bus going vaguely in the direction you need
just so you can get out of the cold and wet; then transferring onto another bus
only when forced to do so. I also learnt the value of a back seat placed over
the engine and why the top deck on a night bus is a no go area.
Discussing
the weather is a national pastime and not to be dismissed as insignificant. It
took me many years to understand it was part and parcel of my journey towards
Britishness. I now make every effort to engage in a weather discussion with
some hapless soul at least once a day.
So it is no accident this post consists mainly of just that. And I make
no apology for it whatsoever.
But
this ability to be at one with British weather is not the only thing I’ve
gained from my 3 decades here. To find
out what else there is, you’ll have to take a peek at next week’s post.
It's often been said that many countries have a climate, but Britain has weather so we have something to talk about. Thermal undies are also a very good idea, they are a fairly recent item in ships like M&S - I certainly remember playing bus roulette before the advent of thermals.
ReplyDeleteI still play bus roulette, even with the thermals. It's a never ending game. And try the thermals at UniGlo. Thinner than you would imagine and in some fabulous colours too.
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