Jo Molloy
Backto Blighty
UK,Here I Come
Back to Blighty
written by Jo Molloy
illustrations by Hana Phillips Knoblochová
editors: Marie Dosoudilová, Zuzana Pernicová
graphics, DTP: Ondřej Strnad
production: Jan Dosoudil
book and e-book published by Bridge Publishing House
You can read this e-book at www.bridge-online.cz/studenti/e‑books
Backto Blighty
UK,Here I Come
Jo Molloy
CONTENTS
Foreword ........................................................7
London ...........................................................8
Fashion .........................................................12
Eating in Britain .........................................15
Virtual travel around the UK ....................21
Shopping ......................................................25
Our love of celebrity gossip .......................28
Strange celebrations around the UK ........32
The changing world of work ......................37
The Lake District ........................................40
In conclusion ..............................................45
5
Foreword
Blighty is slang for Britain – it was a word used by British soldiers in
India and later it became an affectionate term used by expats around
the world when they talked about going ‘home’, back to the UK. You
don’t live in Blighty but you go ‘back to Blighty’. I’m returning back to
the ‘homeland’ after living in the Czech Republic for a few years, but
will it be the same place I left?
6
’Mindthe Gap‘
London
It’s been some time since I’ve explored London properly. I’ve travelled
through it, visited friends’ houses, commuted1
to work, and had
meetings there. But by ‘properly’ I mean stopped, looked around,
walked the streets and enjoyed being in the city – home to over nine
million people who live in its 33 different boroughs2
and speak over
300 different languages.
So I thought it’s about time I grabbed (took) my Oyster card•
and hopped on3
the Tube4
to join the 2.5 million passengers that
the London underground transports every day to 270 different
stations around the city!
To start with, instead of complaining about the unreliable trains,
for once I should appreciate the fact that it’s an amazing piece of
engineering. There’s a very good reason why it’s always breaking
down or not working – it was built in the 1890s! Secondly, there is
history everywhere you look – with famous stations like Baker Street
(Sherlock Holmes), Oxford Street (one of the world’s most famous
shopping streets) and Hyde Park Corner (London’s well‑known
park). And finally, it has an incredible network of interconnecting
tunnels that stretch (spread) under the whole city where you can be
entertained by street musicians along the way.
West London has historically always been the ‘poshest5
’ part of
town with very nice, large properties (houses) that sell for millions of
pounds. It’s the sort of place where celebrities and royals are caught
by paparazzi photographers exiting the doors of exclusive restaurants,
clubs and bars. Here you’ll find the upmarket6
department store
Harrods, famous for its luxury goods, and the bookshop where
Julia Roberts fell in love with Hugh Grant in the film Notting Hill.
I personally love to wander around Little Venice, an area where two of
London’s canals meet. It’s so pretty with its waterside cafes, pubs and
1	 to commute – to travel to and from work daily
2	 borough – an administrative area
3	 to hop on – to jump onto something that is moving (usually transport)
4	 the Tube – the common name for the underground in London
5	 posh – upper‑class, luxurious or elegant
6	 upmarket – describes something that’s high quality or expensive
8
restaurants. For shopping, I recommend going to Portobello Market
with its cool clothes, antiques and vintage7
jewellery.
East London in contrast was always traditionally the poorest
area of the city. The docks8
were located here and it is where
dirty ships brought goods along the Thames to the warehouses
(storage buildings) that dotted the shore. This was the place where
the immigrants originally settled and stayed. Heavily bombed9
in
the second world war, it’s not the most attractive of places. However, it
makes up for10
it in other ways. The whole area has seen a big change
in recent years – first the artists moved in, and then richer people
began changing warehouses into hip (cool) apartments. Once poor
areas like Shoreditch and Dalston are now full of trendy bars and
cafes. Of course the Olympic stadium in Stratford, built for the games
in 2012, has also put East London on the map11
.
The city of London, also known as the ‘Square Mile’ because it is
literally a square mile in size, is the oldest part of London. Now it’s
one of the most powerful financial centres in the world, but I like
exploring behind the big banks and large international corporations
(big companies) because around every corner there’s a historic
building or beautiful courtyard. Here and there you can still catch
a glimpse of (see) the original city walls. One of my favourite walks
is starting at St Paul’s Cathedral, and walking across the Millennium
Bridge to the Tate Modern art gallery.
The city of Westminster is another ‘small city’ inside the greater
area known as ‘London’, sometimes called the ‘entertainment
district’. Here the brash (bright and showy) lights of Leicester Square
lure (attract) tourists. It’s the place where all the big film premieres
are held and where you’ll find most of London’s largest theatres,
showing anything from Mamma Mia to the ballet Swan Lake. If you
want to get away from all the popcorn, ice cream and tourists, just
a few streets away is the colourful district of Soho, or try Chinatown
for a Chinese meal. Covent Garden is also close by with its boutique
shops and market.
7	 vintage – something from the past from a particular period of time; for example, an
old mirror from the Victorian times in the 1800s, or a necklace from the 1980s
8	 the docks – short for dockyards/port
9	 heavily bombed – it was bombed a lot
10	 to make up for sth (phrasal verb) – to compensate (e.g. “He bought me dinner to
make up for being so late for the date.”)
11	 to put the area on the map – to make it famous or popular
9
There has always been
a north‑south divide in the city.
Those who live north of the river
Thames think it’s superior to
(better than) the south, and
those living south of the river
think the north London types
are snobs12
.
North London, home to
football teams like Arsenal,
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur,
is also where London’s rich,
arty types live. There are chic13
pubs and wide‑open spaces like
Regents Park, and the canals
are a short stroll (slow walk)
away. And even though I’m not
a teenager anymore, I still enjoy
exploring Camden Market where
you can buy anything from
the latest club wear to beautiful
handmade jewellery.
South London is home to
Greenwich Park, the Royal
Observatory and the National
Maritime Museum. Much farther
west is the Richmond Park,
and the botanical gardens of Kew. I never tire of wandering along
the South Bank, the strip of land along the Thames; it’s the perfect
place to view London’s iconic skyline (Houses of Parliament, Big Ben,
The Shard, Tower Bridge, the London Eye). Head (go) further south to
Clapham High Street for some lively bars or Brixton Market, the heart
of London’s Caribbean community, where you’ll find delicious food
from around the world.
12	 snob – someone who looks down on others, and believes they are better, more
civilized, more cultivated
13	 chic – fashionable and stylish
 Culture points
mind the gap – a warning to train
passengers using the underground
to take care while crossing the gap
between the train and the platform
Oyster card – a blue
credit‑card‑sized ‘smart card’ or
electronic ticket. You ‘top it up’ with
money and use it at the electronic
travel barriers where you have
to ‘touch in’ and ‘touch out’ of
every station.
10
It’s nice being back and seeing the city with fresh eyes again. I can’t
keep up with all the latest places to ‘hang out’, but I’m happy revisiting
some old favourite pubs, restaurants and hidden corners of the city.
‘Love Me,Love MyJeans’
Fashion
I’m a trousers and jeans kind of a girl. There’s no getting away from
it, I love being comfortable in my clothes. On the rare occasions
that I dress up or put heels on14
I feel sort of awkward15
and/or
self‑conscious (aware of myself).
But I still like wearing nice clothes. I don’t slouch (move in
a lazy way) out of the house in pyjama bottoms16
, baggy T‑shirts
or tracksuits17
. I like to ‘throw’ on a few items, layer18
tops over
T‑shirts, wear trousers with boots and add a nice pair of earrings.
I just don’t have the time or the inclination (natural liking) to look
super‑groomed19
. I care about fashion, it’s just that I don’t want to
wear anything that’s like a big fashion statement or expresses an ‘I’m
here, look at me!’ attitude.
I spent some time living in the US, and it’s a bit terrifying standing
next to all those smartly dressed women. Americans are not hugely
adventurous with fashion, but when they put on a simple top with jeans
or a dress, it always looks so crisp (fresh), cool and effortless. Luckily,
when I was there I lived by the beach so I could get away with20
wearing summer dresses or shorts and flip‑flops without worrying.
14	 on the rare occasions that I dress up or put heels on – I don’t very often put on
more formal clothes like a dress or high‑heeled shoes
15	 awkward – uncomfortable or difficult
16	 pyjama bottoms – light trousers that you wear for bed
17	 tracksuit – also called sweatpants, loose trousers and top that you wear for exercise
or for casual wear
18	 to layer – (here) a verb meaning to put something on top of something else
19	 super-groomed – perfect, tidy and smart
20	to get away with – to do something without anything bad happening
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I think British fashion,
in contrast to American, is
a bit hit or miss21
. We love
our ‘high street’ fashion22
and experimenting but we’re
a bit more scruffy (messy or
untidy). We pick and mix23
styles and put them together
a bit more haphazardly (in
no organized way). We’re
definitely learning to be
more ‘groomed’ but when we
get the chance we still like
to go back to our favourite,
‘music festival’ look – dresses,
boots, tights or leggings with
shorts, and lots of layers.
Something to ‘hang out’ in
and, here’s that word again, be
comfortable in.
It’s been interesting
coming back ‘home’ to
the UK. Suddenly I’ve been
spending more money on
clothes. Maybe it’s because
I feel the pressure to wear
something that’s more ‘in’? Fashion changes very quickly here; every
season the high street brings out (presents to the public) a new ‘look’
which has been quickly copied from the catwalk24
. Normally it is made
by men and women earning low wages working in poor conditions in
factories in Bangladesh, India and Cambodia.
People are starting to think about where their clothing is coming
from a little bit more, to shop more ‘ethically’ and to throw less away.
21	 hit or miss – without plan or direction, sometimes good and sometimes bad
22	 high street fashion – mass‑market retail fashion shops like Primark, New Look,
Topshop, H&M
23	 pick and mix – choose a selection that sometimes doesn’t match. ‘Pick N Mix’ in
a shop is where you can choose a variety of different sweets in one bag.
24	 catwalk – sometimes known as a runway, the narrow platform that models walk up
and down on during a fashion show
Fun fashion
phrases &
expressions
orange is the new black – black is
a popular colour; orange (it could be
any colour that’s in fashion) is the
‘new’ popular colour, worn by everyone.
‘Orange’ will be the colour to look
out for!
fashion police – people considered to
be fashion ‘experts’ or ‘opinionated’
about clothes, who comment on what
other people are wearing
off the peg – ready to wear; not
specially made
on trend – very fashionable right now
 Language points
Love me, love my jeans – a play on the
phrase Love me, love my dog, which
means if you love someone you accept
everything about them, even their
faults.
uber – from German; used a lot in
language to mean outstanding example
or very but in a strong way
13
There is a small but growing trend, especially during the financial
crisis, of people mending (repairing or fixing), sewing and making
clothes again. One of the uber• trendy things for ‘cool’ people to do is
meet in coffee shops and knit. Who would have thought it?
If you look at an average wardrobe in the UK, Brits tend to mix
their clothes. They buy a few high street ‘staples’ (main items) and
add extra touches with clothes from boutiques, markets, or charity
shops to create a more ‘personalised’ look. Even though we like being
‘in fashion’, we don’t want to look the same as each other. And now
we are also influenced by fashion bloggers and the style on the street,
which means we don’t just take our cue (lead) from the catwalk or
fashion designers any more.
I think Czechs like fashion but they just don’t get the chance
to experiment – the boutique shops are too expensive, and
the second‑hand shops are not great.
When I went looking, the second‑hand shops were full of ‘cast‑offs’,
things that no one else wanted, piled up high, smelly, old and tired
(worn out).
I also realize that in the Czech Republic there aren’t that many
great fashion role models for girls. It’s all make‑up, short skirts and
showy designer labels in the Czech media. Where are the sexy but cool
girls who like to have fun with clothes?
But I think times are changing… just don’t be afraid to experiment.
And like me, sometimes ditch25
the jeans!
‘Food,Glorious Food…
There’s Nothing Quite Like It’
Eating in Britain
In the musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens book Oliver Twist,
the orphans in the story are given gruel (a kind of cold porridge) for
breakfast. They hate it and dream of all the lovely food they could be
25	to ditch – to get rid of, to lose
14
eating instead and sing out, ‘Food, glorious food, there’s nothing quite
like it… Hot sausage and mustard, cold jelly and custard26
’.
Food in the UK has changed quite a bit from Dickens’ days. But
even in Victorian times, rich Britons were starting to use more herbs
and spices in their food instead of plain (basic) root vegetables like
turnips, carrots or potatoes. And if they were lucky, they would
occasionally have a bit of meat. As the British Empire expanded, ships
began bringing all sorts of exotic foods back to the UK, so if you had
money or were in the upper classes you could try teas from India or
spices from China.
Because of the second world war, experimenting with food
took a nosedive27
. There was severe (strict) rationing28
and no one
was travelling abroad bringing back different types of food. Plain,
overcooked29
, flavourless, boring and bland were words synonymous
with British cuisine. The pie became popular during this time
because it was a way of making a meal stretch further30
, so bits of less
expensive meat were hidden away with vegetables in a pastry crust31
.
You could get savoury (not sweet) pies or sweet ones – filled with
apple, for example. We still like a pie in the UK. It’s a great comfort
food in the winter, and if you’re feeling peckish32
when you’re out, it’s
a popular takeaway snack.
At this time nobody was cooking with such exotic ingredients as
olive oil or garlic. The French turned up their noses at our ‘British
gastronomy’ and Mediterranean cuisine33
was seen as something
very fancy. However, slowly and surely British cuisine started to be
influenced by the immigrants who had settled in the UK and more
ingredients became available from overseas.
As a child I was used to having typical English fare (dishes) like
bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and on a Sunday
26	jelly and custard – a typical children’s dessert; cold fruit gelatine pudding with hot
sweet sauce made of egg and milk
27	 nosedive – steep downward fall; an aeroplane might take a nosedive
28	(food) rationing – it began in 1940 and each person could only buy a fixed amount
of food each week (cheese, meat, butter, etc.). Everyone got the same amount and
was given a coupon which was entered (written) into their ration book.
29	to overcook – to cook too much
30	to stretch further – to make something go further or last longer
31	 pastry crust – a dough made from flour, eggs and butter which is cooked. The crust
is the cooked top layer.
32	 peckish – hungry, like a bird that ‘pecks’ bits of food
33	 Mediterranean cuisine – food from Italy, France, Greece and Spain, using olive oil,
garlic, fresh vegetables, more fish and less meat; salads are very popular too
15
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The Sunday roast
It was traditional to put a large piece
of meat – like beef, lamb, pork
or chicken – in the oven to cook
while you went to church. When
you came back the meat would
be nicely roasted and was served
with roasted potatoes, vegetables
and gravy (hot brown sauce made from
the meat juices).
Fish and chips
fish covered in batter (a mixture of flour and
milk) and deep fried. This was a popular dish
for the workers in industrial cities in the late
1800s as fish trawling (catching) became more
common. A takeaway meal that is hugely popular
even today.
The sandwich
I can’t imagine lunchtime without the sandwich.
Originally it was invented by the Earl of Sandwich
in the 1700s. He was the first person to put cold
meats or cheeses in between two pieces of bread
so that he didn’t have to stop gambling to eat
lunch. Nowadays you can find any combination
of fillings from plain old cheese to goat’s cheese,
chicken mayonnaise salad or sun-dried tomato.
Curry
The Brits have actually created their
own ‘Anglo-Indian’ dishes that you can’t
find in India, only in the UK – meals
like chicken tikka masala (roasted bits
of chicken in a creamy spicy sauce),
kedgeree (rice with fish and spices) and
mulligatawny soup (a type of sweet
and spicy soup). In fact, chicken tikka
masala is considered one of Britain’s
most popular meals; you can even buy
chicken tikka masala flavoured crisps, or
get it in a sandwich!
Some British dishes
not to miss
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The great British breakfast
You would look like a house (very fat) if you had this every day, so it’s reserved
for weekends or special occasions. Usually a fried egg served with bacon,
sausage, fried tomatoes, mushrooms, beans and toast. If you’re going for the ‘full
traditional’, you might also get a serving of bubble and squeak (fried leftovers
from a Sunday roast dinner, mainly cabbage and potatoes).
Bangers and mash
a traditional British meal made
from potatoes which are mashed
up (cooked and crushed into a soft
mush) and sausages (bangers),
served with peas or other vegetables.
The word ‘banger’ was used because
if the sausages are cooked too quickly
they explode or ‘bang’.
Shepherd’s pie
minced (cut into very small pieces) lamb
with vegetables cooked in a dish with
a mashed potato topping. Cottage pie
is the same meal but cooked with beef;
shepherd’s pie is named after a shepherd,
the person who looks after sheep.
18
the traditional roast dinner.
But I also remember my
mum being a little more
experimental than others.
I used to get embarrassed
when I had friends over for
tea because she was the only
mum cooking with garlic and
chillies, and making curries.
Now it’s common for
people to try different foods,
and experiment with cooking.
The Brits love rice and pasta,
curries and noodles. And because eating out34
is affordable in the UK,
you can sample (try) any type of cuisine from anywhere in the world,
from Turkish, Chinese, Spanish and Thai to Mexican and Hungarian.
There are even two Czech restaurants in London that I know of!
The stigma35
of bland British food is slowly disappearing and
‘modern British cuisine’ is having a huge resurgence (revival).
Restaurants are sourcing (finding) local ingredients, buying British
meats, and using traditional methods to recreate hearty (filling and
34	 to eat out – to eat away from home; to go to a restaurant
35	 stigma – something that is marked or labelled as negative
 Language point
food, dish and meal – food is a generic
term which describes anything that
you can eat. Dish refers to something
prepared to be eaten, like a recipe, so
it could be ‘spaghetti bolognaise’ (be
careful because dish is sometimes used
to describe a bowl that holds food,
e.g. ‘pass me the dish please’). Meal is
the overall word used for times of eating,
like breakfast, lunch and dinner. A meal
can consist of many dishes, for example
a meat dish and a vegetable dish.
19
good) English dishes, and celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver are making
it all the more popular. So it’s gone full circle and, like those orphans
in Oliver Twist, we’re back to dreaming about hot sausages and
mustard and cold jelly and custard.
‘ArmchairTravel’
Virtual travel around the UK
I can’t lie to you. I’m not writing this as I’m travelling around the UK
on a train whizzing (moving quickly) through beautiful countryside on
the way to historic towns and lively cities. I’m sitting at my computer
being a ‘virtual tourist’. With so many travel websites available, and
of course Google Maps which let you look at photos and now even
videos, I can see everything I need to know about the UK without
leaving the comfort of my chair.
At its best the UK is quirky (strange), eccentric, interesting and
friendly; at its worst it’s dirty, expensive and overcrowded, with
unpredictable weather. It’s a country full of contrasts, and England,
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which make up the United
Kingdom, are all unique countries in their own right, with their own
regional accents, cultures, traditions and customs.
But it’s a relatively small country, with a lot packed in36
. For a start,
there are a huge number of people trying to squeeze in, 61 million of
them. Then there’s a huge range of different landscapes, from the hills
to the sea, from sprawling (spreading out) cities to pretty villages. And
everywhere you look there’s an interesting bit of history. Here’s just
a small taste of what you might find.
On the south‑east coast is the county of Kent, also known as
the ‘Garden of England’, and one of its main tourist attractions is
the city of Canterbury. It has a young feel because it’s a university
town, and has a pretty historic centre, but tourists come to see
Canterbury Cathedral. It dates back to the 11th
century, and is where
archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote
a famous book called The Canterbury Tales, which follows a group
36	a lot packed in – filled with a lot of things, e.g. ‘we managed to pack a lot in the car’,
or ‘we managed to pack in a lot of activities today’
20
of pilgrims making their way to
Becket’s shrine (holy place). But
don’t just stop here; rent a bike
and cycle along the disused (no
longer used) railway line, known
as the ‘crab and winkle37
way’ to
the coast and the fishing town
of Whitstable. It’s famous for its
oysters, which are caught daily,
and its pretty shops and fishing
huts. Along the coast are lovely
sandy beaches, like Broadstairs,
Joss beach or Margate.
On the other side of
the country in the west is
the enchanting (lovely) city
of Bath in Somerset. Walking
through the city feels like
walking through a historical museum. Wherever you look there are
buildings that were built either by the Romans or the Georgians•.
But no visit to Bath is complete without a stop at the Roman baths,
which the town is famous for. The Celts and Romans both came here
for the natural hot springs. There is a museum where you can learn
all about the baths, but also an actual spa where you can have a soak
(lay) in the waters. Close by is the vibrant (lively) city of Bristol and
the University of Oxford isn’t too far away either.
The ‘Angel of the North’ marks the gateway (entry) to
Newcastle‑Upon‑Tyne. It’s a 20-metre‑high steel sculpture of an
angel. The outstretched (opened out) metal wings make it look like
an aeroplane. The statue not only represents the north of England,
but also the birthplace of industry and technology. Based on the river
Tyne, Newcastle was a major city during the industrial revolution,
with its natural coal and iron; it was also home of the steam railway.
If you come from the city you’re known as a ‘Geordie’ and you have
a unique local accent and dialect. You might hear someone say “Me
mam said wye ah pet” which means “My mum said of course my
37	 crab and winkle – this was the name of the railway line because it ran close to
the sea; a crab is a type of sea creature with claws and a winkle is a type of edible
sea snail
United
kingdom
21
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love”. The city has a good music
scene and lots of students. It’s
also close to Whitley Bay and
Tynemouth beaches, and only
an hour away from the Scottish
border and Hadrian’s Wall•.
Across the border in Scotland
is the wonderful city of
Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital
is famous for its castle, which
stands proudly in the middle of
the city, and for its impressive
Georgian architecture. During
the summer months it’s bursting
with (full of) tourists, who
come to see the Edinburgh
International Festival
(a performing arts festival) and
‘The Fringe’ (an alternative arts
festival). In January the city
comes alive again to celebrate
‘Hogmanay’• on New Year’s Eve.
Celebrations take place over four
days with events and concerts
that end in a huge street party
with fireworks. The city has
a lively music, arts and cultural
scene, but it’s also close to some
incredible countryside. Take a trip
to the Highlands, a mountainous
region of castles, glens (valleys)
and lochs (lakes).
For some more beautiful
countryside, but this time in
Wales, go to an area called
the Brecon Beacons. It’s an area with red sandstone peaks, great
for walkers who want to explore the woods, waterfalls, hills and
castles. Try the Welsh specialities: Welsh Cakes (traditionally baked
What is what?
Great Britain – is made up of
England, Scotland and Wales
The United Kingdom – is made up
of England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland. The Republic of
Ireland is a separate country.
The British Isles – includes
everything; it’s the two islands of
Great Britain (England, Scotland
and Wales) plus Ireland, and all the
small surrounding islands, including
the Isle of Man.
 Culture points
Georgian – a period of time in
English history from 1714 to
1837, ruled by four Georges: Kings
George I, George II, George III and
George IV
Hadrian’s Wall – a defensive wall
between England and Scotland built
by the Romans
Hogmanay – the Scottish name
for the last day of the year, and
a celebration of New Year’s Eve,
which starts after midnight and can
continue for days. The traditional
song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is sung and
then people visit friends and family.
23
on an iron griddle38
), or Bara Brith, a sweet and moist (slightly
wet) fruitcake made using cold tea. You’re also close to the capital
of Wales, the bustling (busy) and interesting city of Cardiff. If
you’re a book or literature lover, there is one place to go and that’s
the famous Hay Festival. It takes place over a week at the end of May
on the English‑Welsh border at Hay‑on‑Wye. Known as the ‘book
town’, Hay‑on‑Wye is heaven for book fans and crammed (filled) with
second‑hand bookshops and little tea shops.
If you want something a bit more energetic, it’s time to head to
(go to) the coast of Cornwall, in the south‑west of the country. You
don’t automatically associate (connect) the UK with surfing but it’s
surprising just how many surfing beaches there are, especially around
this area. Newquay is the king of them, a wide horseshoe shaped bay
with waves all year around. All you need is a very warm wetsuit39
and a board of course! For something much more sedate (calm) try
the pretty ports of Padstow or St Ives.
It’s impossible to cover the whole country. But this is a personal
selection of some of the places I’ve actually been to over the years and
enjoyed. So I didn’t really cheat, because even though virtual travel is
interesting, it can never replace the real thing.
‘Death ofthe High Street’
Shopping
One thing I missed when I lived in the Czech Republic was shopping.
I enjoyed browsing (looking through) the Czech Christmas markets, and
picking up (buying) lovely unusual hand made products, but in general
I found shopping in the Czech Republic expensive and frustrating.
It’s amazing just how much cheaper it is in the UK for things
like clothes, shoes, even food – it’s only eating out and Czech beer
that remain cheap as chips40
. Coming back to the UK, I have to be
38	griddle – heavy flat pan made of iron
39	wetsuit – a rubber suit worn for diving or surfing
40	cheap as chips (idiom) – very cheap
24
careful that my credit card doesn’t burn a hole in my pocket41
. It’s like
Aladdin’s cave42
for shopaholics43
here – there’s always something to
spend money on.
But I have also started to notice how much shopping has changed
over the few years I’ve been away, and it’s a trend that seems to be
getting worse and worse.
The traditional high street44
is dying. It was once a place where
you could stroll along (walk in a leisurely way) and get anything you
needed, from socks to satellite televisions. But large out‑of‑town
shopping centres and hypermarkets now tempt (attract) shoppers out
of their cars and into their warm and sterile45
environment. Let’s face
it, they are convenient and everything is under one roof. The new
centre in London, Westfield Stratford City, is one of the largest in
Europe, and with 300 shops and 70 restaurants it’s like a mini city!
The smaller independent shops on the high street can’t compete.
They just don’t have the same pulling power46
, and so everywhere
you look there are ‘for rent’ signs and boarded up47
windows. I read
somewhere that the high street now has five categories of businesses:
‘bargains48
’ (there are at least seven in every town), ‘baristas49
’ (the UK
has over 15,000 coffee shops – at least three on every high street),
‘betting shops’ (for gambling), ‘burgers’ (cheap take‑away food places)
and ‘boarded up’ (closed shops).
It’s such a huge problem that the British government ordered an
independent review to find ways to ‘save the high street’. It wants to
bring back the spirit of the high street, not just as a place to shop, but
a place to socialise50
, a place for well‑being51
and entertainment. But
41	 money burns a hole in someone’s pocket – an expression that describes someone
who can’t keep money for long, spends it quickly
42	 Aladdin’s cave – a place full of precious items or treasure, like in the story of
Aladdin
43	 shopaholic – someone who loves shopping
44	high street – the main street of a town, traditionally the place to find shops, banks
and businesses
45	sterile – having no atmosphere, bland or boring
46	pulling power – the ability to attract people
47	 boarded up – with planks of wood over the windows
48	bargain – when something is sold for a low price; here it refers to charity or cheap
shops
49	barista – the name for the person trained to use the coffee machine and serve coffee
50	place to socialise – where people can meet
51	 well-being – the feeling of being happy, content and healthy
25
I fear it is fighting a losing battle52
. Because the way we like to shop is
different now.
We live in a busy society and we’re always looking for ways to make
our lives simpler and easier. It’s not just shopping centres, but internet
shopping: from eBay to Amazon, we prefer to add to basket, click and
it’s yours, delivered to the doorstep. I’m as guilty as anyone – it almost
feels like you’re not really spending money, until you get your credit
card bill, of course.
I live in a town that’s been clever with its town planning. There is
a small shopping centre right off the high street so the smaller shops still
get a lot of foot traffic53
, and it’s still a busy and lively place to shop.
Now, that reminds me. I must get off the computer, stop online
shopping and go to the local bookshop instead!
52	it is fighting a losing battle – you are fighting against something knowing you can’t win
53	 foot traffic – pedestrian traffic, people coming and going on foot
26
‘I’ma Celebrity,GetMe OutofHere!‘
Ourlove ofcelebritygossip
If you live in the UK, chances are you’ve heard of the popular
reality TV show I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The idea is
pretty simple: 12 celebrities are left to survive without any creature
comforts54
for a few weeks in the Australian jungle. In order to
get food, they have to take part in a series of ‘bush‑tucker55
trials’,
or challenges, which involve eating fried insects or diving into
a container full of snakes. Each week the public vote which celebrity
they want to get rid of (to go), until the last one left is crowned
the king or queen of the jungle.
The series has been running since 2002, and with a whopping
(huge) 13 million people watching the first episode of the new series
this year, it just shows you how much Brits love following celebrities
(or ‘celebs’). Our shelves are heaving with (full of) magazines with
the latest gossip: which soap star is dating who, which footballer did
what. We have an insatiable (never ending) appetite for goggling56
at
the lives of the rich and famous.
Even children these days no longer want to work hard and
be teachers, bankers, lawyers and doctors – they too want to be
celebrities. According to a teacher’s survey, the top career choice for
youngsters today is being a famous footballer, followed by pop star,
and then actor. Some children weren’t even that specific and just
wanted to be ‘famous for being famous’. And then, of course, sadly,
you have young girls who want to dress in sexy, provocative57
clothing
like their idols, thinking that is the way to find fame and fortune.
But hold on (wait). Before we hang our heads in shame, despair58
at
our shallow59
lives, start feeling depressed at the ‘state of our nation’
and use phrases like ‘broken Britain’, let’s take a look back at a time
not so long ago…
54	creature comforts – things around you that make life comfortable
55	bush tucker – food that you get from the ‘bush’ or wild lands in Australia
56	to goggle – to look with wide open eyes in amazement
57	 provocative – causing a strong reaction or sexual desire
58	to despair – to give up hope
59	shallow – not deep, having no serious thoughts
27
28
The Georgians in
the 18th
 century were the first
generation to find themselves
with ‘leisure time’, and a growing
middle class who had money
to spend. According to an
exhibition at the British Library,
Georgians, just like us, liked
spending time in teahouses,
eating chocolate or hanging
out in coffee shops. They also
enjoyed shopping and wearing
the latest fashion, went to horse
races, cricket matches and
dances. But more than anything
they loved their booze (alcohol),
particularly gin.
In London alone, there were
over 7,000 ‘gin dens’, or places
to drink gin. It was hugely
popular with the poor because
it was so cheap. The drink was
soon nicknamed ‘mother’s ruin’
because mothers abandoned
their children for drinking clubs
and parties. An artist called
William Hogarth drew a picture
called ‘Gin Lane’ which shows
a mother dropping her baby
down a set of stairs while there
are drunk men and women all
around her.
It was also a period of time
when there were suddenly
magazines, leaflets and posters
everywhere. Before, you needed
a special licence, but the printing
rules had changed, which meant that anyone could print anything. It’s
similar to the internet today; we are also experiencing an explosion
 Culture points
Admiral Horatio Nelson – a war
hero who was famous for leading
Britain against the French and
beating Napoleon at the Battle of
Trafalgar (1805). There is a statue
of him called Nelson’s Column in
London at Trafalgar Square.
Duke of Wellington – Arthur
Wellesley or the Duke of Wellington
was another war hero who fought
in Spain against the French. He
became a politican.
Sarah Siddons – an actress
in the late 1700s who was
famous for over 20 years and
very well known in theatres and
the entertainment industry
29
of information everywhere. But it also meant that the type of content
changed too, because what sells best? Sex, gossip and celebrities.
The most popular stories involved the heroes of the time, Horatio
Nelson• or the Duke of Wellington• – especially when Horatio had
a lover, Lady Hamilton. Georgians also loved reading about Kitty
Fisher, the leading courtesan60
of the time and mistress to the richest
man in London. They avidly (keenly) read stories about criminals
like Jack Sheppard, who escaped prison twice, and loved gossip about
celebrity performers like Sarah Siddons• and Joseph Grimaldi.
60	courtesan – a prostitute who mixes in rich circles
30
Grimaldi was like the Justin Bieber of today. He was a successful
child actor, star and clown who was in every sell‑out show. If his face
appeared on the cover of a magazine, everyone would buy it, and
even more so when his career went sour (wrong) and he sank into
depression and alcoholism.
So maybe we just can’t help following in the footsteps of our
forefathers’ forefathers61
. I think we should just blame them!
’Outofthe Ordinary‘
Strange celebrations around the UK
Christmas and Easter are the traditional major holidays celebrated
in the UK, and it was interesting to see how these were different
in the Czech Republic. But there are some smaller, more unusual,
uniquely British celebrations that I was reminded of when I moved
back home.
When I lived in Prague, I really missed Bonfire Night•. I missed
wrapping up warm62
in scarves and hats, putting on wellies63
and
braving the cold64
on the 5th
of November to watch exploding fireworks
and wave a burning sparkler65
in the night sky.
If you’re in the UK, you can’t fail to notice the firework displays
going off all over the country – and if you don’t like loud bangs
(noise), glittering lights or large bonfires, the only way to escape it is
to hide in a cave for 24 hours. Or you could always head for St Peter’s
School in York; apparently it’s the only place in the country that
doesn’t celebrate because Guy Fawkes went to school there.
Lewes, a small town near the south coast, has been called
‘the bonfire capital of the world’ because six local bonfire societies
join up to celebrate the event. Colourful parades wind their way
through66
the town and people dress up in costumes holding torches
61	 forefathers – our relatives who lived a long time ago
62	to wrap up warm – to cover yourself in something to keep warm
63	wellies or wellington boots – the name for rubber boots made popular by the Duke
of Wellington, who always wore them when he was hunting
64	to brave the cold – to face the cold with courage, or put up with the cold weather
65	sparkler – a small hand-held firework that burns giving out sparks (tiny bits of fire)
66	to wind your way through – to make your way in a bending or curving way through sth
31
32
(burning sticks); there are
fireworks and explosions going
off and smoke everywhere.
The societies also remember
the 17 Protestant martyrs67
who
were killed at the stake almost
100 years before the Gunpowder
Plot, in 1509.
I hadn’t realized that Brits
like burning so much. There’s
another event that happens
in Brighton on December 21,
called ‘burning of the clocks’,
so named because it happens
on the shortest day of the year.
But unlike Bonfire Night
or the Lewes burns, it’s
a modern‑day tradition that
started only twenty years ago. It
was created as a way for people
to come together and celebrate
the festive season no matter
what their religion, and be an
alternative to a commercial
Christmas celebration. Locals
make paper and willow lanterns68
that they carry through the city
and burn on a huge fire on
the beach as a symbol of the end
of the year.
Christmas and Easter are
celebrated in the traditional
way of course, but we don’t
mark the beginning of spring
like Czechs do with ‘masopust’. I was a bit surprised at first to see
a gutted69
pig on my street hanging from a pole (long piece of metal),
67	 martyr – a person killed for their religious beliefs
68	willow lantern – a willow cane (stick) and paper lamp that has a candle inside
69	gutted – the animal has had its insides, like the stomach and intestines, removed
 cultural points
Bonfire Night or fireworks night –
a uniquely British tradition where
we remember Guy Fawkes, a man
who tried to blow up the Houses
of Parliament with his ‘Gunpowder
Plot’ in 1605. King James was so
happy that he wasn’t blown up
that he threw a celebration; his
men burnt an effigy (sculpture or
model of a person) of Guy Fawkes
and lit fireworks to represent the
explosions. We still celebrate it
400 years later.
Morris dancing – a type of English
folk dance where dancers wear folk
costumes and have bells tied to
their feet. They might dance with
sticks, swords or small cloths.
Stonehenge – a mysterious
collection of large blocks of stone
near Salisbury in the UK. The stones
are arranged into a circle believed to
be 5,000 years old. People believe
that the stones mark the important
stages of the year and the passing
of the seasons; the site is thought to
be a religious or spiritual landmark.
33
but I loved the mad costumes and crazy parade which represent
the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
We don’t have ‘one’ spring event across the country, but some
smaller towns and villages do celebrate ‘May Day’. This usually
involves girls decorated with flowers dancing around a maypole
(a very tall decorated piece of wood) and men with bells on their legs
in folk costumes doing Morris dancing•!
There are places like Hastings, again on the south coast,
that celebrate this day with ‘The Jack in the Green festival’. It’s
a coming‑of‑spring celebration with lots of flowers and garlands
(wreaths of flowers worn on the body or head), and Morris dancing.
‘Jack’ is a symbolic representation of spring and is usually a man
covered head to toe in green foliage (leaves). In fact he looks a little
bit like a large Christmas tree, but instead of decorations there are
flowers. He is joined by the ‘Bogies’. They are covered in green rags
(old clothes) and face paint, and their job is to lead him through
the town while playing music and dancing. They are accompanied
by hundreds of Morris dancers all shaking their bells, dancing and
beating their drums until the chaotic procession ends at Hastings
Castle where Jack is ‘slain’ (killed) to mark spring and release
the spirit of summer.
The summer solstice is the first day of summer and is around June 21.
It’s celebrated in a few places around the country but the biggest event
of all takes place at the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge•. Imagine
a big new‑age party which attracts thousands of people who all want
34
to worship70
the sunrise and the start of summer. You’ll find a mix of
druids71
and pagans72
who take the celebration very seriously, hippies,
travellers and partygoers, along with families and tourists.
Although I’ve never been to the summer solstice at Stonehenge,
I was lucky enough to film a smaller event in a village in Cornwall.
I was making a documentary in the area and we were interviewing
a wonderful but eccentric druid called Ed Prynn who had erected his
own ‘Stonehenge’ in his garden. He was a former quarryman (worked
with stones) who had 19 hunks (large pieces) of rock weighing
between 2 and 10 tons installed in his garden. People came in great
numbers to his ‘healing stone’ or to get their marriage vows renewed
(say their marriage promises again) at the ‘wedding stone’. At that
summer solstice I saw groups of druids in their long robes waiting for
the magical first glimpses of summer.
As autumn arrives, it’s time for most children in schools or
communities to celebrate the ‘Harvest Festival’. It’s a Christian‑based
tradition that teaches them to be grateful for the fruit and vegetables
grown on the land. Normally children visit a local church and sing songs
and collect food donations which are then given to the poor or old.
Then it’s back to Bonfire Night. And the cycle of celebrations
begins again.
70	to worship – to show strong respect and admiration
71	 druids – druidism is a type of paganism connected to the Celts. During the Celtic
times the druids were the priests, doctors, lawmakers or important people of
the tribes.
72	 pagans – paganism is a term used to describe nature-based religions (so not
Christian, Muslim or Jewish); it’s a group of spiritual people who celebrate
the cycles of nature through festivals or rituals
35
‘NewJobs for Old’
The changing world ofwork
There was a study recently by the social media website LinkedIn73
that
found one out of three parents didn’t understand their child’s job.
Top of the list of jobs that they didn’t understand was ‘user interface
designer74
’ followed by ‘social media manager75
’ and ‘data scientist76
’.
I’m struggling (having trouble) to describe some of them too,
and I’m not that old yet! A lot has changed since I first started
73	 LinkedIn – a social networking site used by professionals to network (connect with
others) or find work
74	 user interface designer – someone who designs how webpages work; they create
programs to use data and information so that webpages open and function
75	 social media manager – someone in charge of marketing through social
media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to promote a company or product
76	 data scientist – described as part computer scientist and part business analyst,
someone who can look at data and spot trends
36
looking for a job. When I look at adverts in the UK now, I realize
my ‘old’ media skills are on the wane (on the way out). I need to
start upskilling (getting some new skills) in social media, like using
hashtags77
and Twitter, or learning how to use digital media more,
whether it’s using my smartphone for filming or using apps (computer
programs) for editing.
One person I recently contacted asked me, “Do you want to tweet
me or contact me through Facebook, or the old‑fashioned way of
email?” I thought to myself, “The old way of email?” Surely the old
way was sending a letter; email is still ‘new’, isn’t it? That’s how
quickly it’s all changing and it’s reflected so much in the job market
here in the UK.
Fewer and fewer people have job titles like dentist, doctor, or
engineer – traditional jobs, the kind of jobs that do exactly what they
say on the tin78
. And because more and more people have gone to
college or university, there are fewer people doing traditional ‘trade’
jobs like carpentry79
, painting and decorating80
. I noticed when I lived
in the Czech Republic that those trade jobs are still quite valued there.
Here’s a true story: A few years ago there were so few plumbers81
that those who had a plumbing qualification were in such huge
demand that they found they could command (ask for) six‑figure
salaries82
! So professionals83
who couldn’t get work during
the financial crisis were ditching their degrees to go to plumbing
school to quickly cash in84
and make money.
The world of work has changed so much, though. Unlike our
parents we don’t have jobs for life any more (we don’t have the same
job for the whole of our life), we move around and work for different
companies, and some of us are freelance – working on short contracts
for lots of different companies. There are more ‘high tech’ jobs and job
titles that didn’t exist even a decade ago. Both Google and LinkedIn
77	 hashtag (#) – used on Twitter before a word to make that word or sentence easier to
search for; for example #Bridge magazine
78	 does exactly what it says on the tin – it was originally an advertising slogan but has
become an idiom meaning it doesn’t need any explanation, says exactly what it is for
79	 carpentry – working with wood, building kitchens, or repairing cupboards, etc.
80	painting and decorating – the job of painting houses or buildings
81	 plumber – a person who fixes pipes, water systems or heating in houses or buildings
82	 six-figure salary – used to describe a salary that’s 100,000 or more (six numbers)
per year
83	professional – a person who has the type of job that needs a high level of education
84	to cash in – to take advantage of something
37
38
have run (organised) special ‘Take Your Parents To Work Days’ to
encourage employees to bring their old folks (parents) into the office
to show them what it is exactly that they do as a job to help them
understand.
One thing is for sure: there is definitely more pressure these days
for students leaving college to be skilled not only in their specialist
subject, but have lots of ‘work experience’ and be good at using
computers as well.
British students are also using social media like Twitter, Facebook
or LinkedIn to help them get jobs. Most job applications are done
online now, and I have a friend who had to do a ‘video’ interview
where she had to film her answers and then upload them without ever
meeting a human!
So it’s time to brush up on85
my own computer skills, because if
I’m not careful, I’ll soon be out of a job…
‘ABreath ofFreshAir’
The Lake District
We decided to spend the New Year in the Lake District86
, to get
a dose87
of nature, some fresh air and take a break from the rat race88
.
So we packed up the kids and dog and headed up the M6 motorway.
Just over four hours later we were rewarded with sweeping (long and
wide) views of the English countryside.
Since all the cottages and farm stays89
were either full or too
expensive, I’d booked something on the internet called a ‘camping
barn’. I hadn’t a clue what it was, only that it was in a pretty rural
85	to brush up on – to improve your knowledge of something you’ve already learnt, but
partly forgotten
86	The Lake District or Lakes – a mountainous region in north-west England; a popular
tourist destination famous for its lakes, forests, hills but also its association with
19th
‑century romantic poets
87	 dose – a prescribed quantity of medicine taken at a certain time; in this case a ‘dose
of nature’ means feeling good by being in the countryside
88	to take a break from the rat race – to stop and have a rest from daily life: working,
making money, spending money, working again, etc.
89	farm stay – accommodation found on a farm
39
40
setting (area of countryside) and
didn’t involve putting up a tent
or sleeping outside.
I soon found out it was very
nice converted barn90
, with
a shower, a wood‑burning heater,
basic kitchen, beds and sofas. In
the summer months you could
camp outside and use it as a base
for cooking, or as a shelter in
case it poured down (rained
heavily), which it frequently does
in these parts.
Did this fall into the ‘glamping’
(glamorous camping) category,
I wondered? It’s a trend that’s
popular in the UK where
middle‑class people in their
30s don’t want to get dirty and
‘rough it91
’ but they still want to
be ‘outdoors’. So they sleep on
luxury beds in designer tents
with fireplaces and hot running
water. Picture the model Kate
Moss at Glastonbury music
festival – she’s not camping with
the riff raff92
, she’s staying in
a posh teepee tent with her own
personal toilet and silk sheets.
That’s glamping.
But we didn’t do much
‘glamping’ when we arrived.
The first night there was no
electricity due to local flooding.
90	converted barn – an old barn (a building in which animals or hay – dry grass – are
kept) that’s been made livable with heating and running water
91	 rough it – live without pleasures and amenities (things making life more pleasant) like
water and heating
92	riff raff – undesirable people, the lowest of the low in society
Famous people
and the Lakes
William Wordsworth – a famous
English romantic poet in the 1800s
who wrote ‘The Daffodils’
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – one of
the Lake Poets, who was a friend of
Wordsworth; his most famous poem
is ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’
written in 1789
Beatrix Potter – a famous
19th
‑century children’s author who
lived and wrote in the Lake District;
she wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit
and 23 other animal tales
Arthur Ransome – a children’s
author in the 1930s who wrote
adventure stories set in and around
the Lake District. His most famous
book is Swallows and Amazons.
41
So by 4.30pm it was dark, and
we had to cook dinner on our
gas camping stove and somehow
try to get the wet wood to light
so we could have some heat. It
was all very romantic for about
20 minutes, but then I was ready
to check into an expensive hotel.
After we got the fire going and
defrosted• a bit, in the end it was
very nice, but we still went to bed
at 8pm – it’s amazing how having no electric light makes one tired.
The Lake District, or the Lakes as it’s more commonly called, is
in the north‑east of England and was created by glacial erosion93
that left behind a mountainous landscape. Now it is one of the most
popular national parks in the UK. It’s a beautiful area of the country,
and the national park is in the middle of applying for World Heritage
93	glacial erosion – a geological process where glaciers slowly move and cut out
the landscape, typically leaving U-shaped valleys
 Language point
The prefix de- can be used to
suggest removing something
or something moving away.
For example:
defrost – to remove frost or ice
declaw – to remove claws from an
animal (like a cat)
demystify – to take away
the mystery, make clearer
42
status94
with UNESCO. However,
what struck me (came to mind)
walking around on some of
the hiking trails was how much
the locals are as much a part
of the heritage site as the rocks
around them. There were
sheep grazing (eating grass)
everywhere, stone walls95
crossed
the landscape, farmhouses
dotted the hillsides and pretty
villages were scattered96
all
over the place. On one hand,
I was able to satisfy my coffee
addiction in cute cafes, and
on the other we hiked up trails
without a person, road or sheep
in sight to enjoy the 360-degree
views of the tarns and fells97
below.
The Lakes are also the home
of the ‘romantic poets’ of
the 19th
 century, so we passed
‘Wordsworth’s museum’, and
the house where Coleridge
stayed. All the kids around here
grew up with Peter Rabbit by
Beatrix Potter and an adventure
book called Swallows and
Amazons by Arthur Ransome.
But we weren’t here for
a literature tour, we were here
94	World Heritage status – a natural or man-made site or area that is considered
important to preserve, protected by the international organization UNESCO
95	stone wall – a typical wall or barrier in the English countryside made of stones laid
on top of one another
96	scattered – covering an area in all directions like small drops
97	 without... in sight to enjoy the 360-degree views of the tarns and fells – we didn’t
see... and enjoyed a full circle view of the lakes and hills (tarn – a mountain lake
formed by glaciers; fell – a local name for a hill)
gas camping stove – a small portable
stove that you can carry around with
you to heat water or food
Riddle
How many lakes are there in
the Lake District?
Only one! Bassenthwaite Lake.
The rest (over 80 of them) are known
as ‘meres*’, ‘tarns’ or just ‘waters’.
*	mere – a small pond of standing
(not moving) water
43
to go walking – even if it meant getting wet. We were lucky we did
have a few dry days, but after the rain (and it’s known to rain a lot in
the Lakes) we nicknamed it the ‘wet district’.
As the misty rain fell, we decided wisely not to try to ‘conquer’
the highest peak, Scafell Pike, which is almost 1,000 metres high.
It’s not only famous for being the tallest peak in England, but also
for the amount of hikers that get lost there! The paths criss‑cross on
the way down so it’s easy to lose your way, especially when it’s misty.
My cousin was one of the lost hikers; she was on her first ‘romantic’
weekend away with her boyfriend and agreed to the walking
challenge. When the fog rolled in (arrived), they couldn’t find
the pathway down, and after nine hours of walking, crying, arguing,
swearing and tearing up maps they finally made it to the bottom.
I didn’t fancy (want) that adventure.
We definitely satisfied our ‘nature’ craving (hunger) and we’ll
definitely do it again – just maybe next time in the summer!
‘Backto Blighty’
In conclusion
I’ve been back in Blighty for a few months now, and it was a shock
that it wasn’t much of a shock being back here. We just seamlessly
slotted into (easily fitted in) life back in the UK after living in
the Czech Republic for a couple of years.
I think it’s mainly because the kids started English school with no
problems, and even though the school day is longer (they finish at
3.30pm) and the way of teaching is very different (lots of essays and
less memorizing facts), they somehow got on with it. And I still have
to pay the bills, walk the dog and do the shopping – it doesn’t matter
which country I’m in; that daily stuff just has to be done!
But it’s only recently that I’ve noticed that I’m a bit more relaxed,
my shoulders have returned back into their normal position instead of
being hunched (raised up) to my ears. That’s because I don’t feel ‘on
alert98
’ all the time – I don’t have to concentrate until my brain aches,
98	on alert – ready for danger or looking around and being aware
44
or fear that I’ve mispronounced a word in Czech and everyone’s
laughing at me.
When you live abroad and have to communicate in a foreign
language, you have to be ‘switched on’ all the time and it can be quite
exhausting. Right now I’m enjoying being ‘switched off’99
. I don’t
have to worry any more that I’ve said something completely wrong or
inappropriate to the lady at the tax office who doesn’t speak English,
or get frustrated when I don’t know the word ‘enamel paint100
, in OBI.
Or my worst fear, sitting in the classroom at parents’ evening101
in my
kids’ Czech school pretending I knew what the teacher was saying.
Utterly terrifying.
However, I often think about beautiful Prague, or how easy it is to
jump in a car or on a bus and be out in the lovely Czech countryside
where I can stop off at a pub to have a beer and a smažený sýr.
I miss things like housky and Czech bread, and delicious cakes at
the cukrárna. And snow. I definitely miss the snow. But I don’t miss
the aggressive and awful Czech drivers on the roads, nor some of
the rude and grumpy (moody) people in the shops.
Coming back, I can’t help but notice the amount of people
everywhere; the UK is a crowded country. It was lovely going to
the Lake District and seeing open spaces without roads or even
people. But in contrast, I also love London because it’s buzzing with
energy and people, there are so many exciting places to go and lots of
interesting museums. Some things have changed a lot, like the local
high street and shopping habits; there are lots of new types of job
opportunities that didn’t exist before. There are always the latest
trends to catch up on, the current TV shows to watch and new
celebrities to gawp102
at.
But some things just tick along103
and stay the same. British people
just can’t help saying ‘sorry’ all the time, it continues to rain, you
can still buy a lukewarm (slightly warm) pint in the local pub, drink
tea with friends and eat decent salt‑and‑vinegar crisps.
99	 to be switched on/off – to be awake and alert / to be relaxed and not having to
watch what’s happening around you
100	 enamel paint – a glossy shiny sticky type of paint, used to paint doors, for
example
101	 parents’ evening – when parents go to talk to the teachers about how their children
are doing
102	to gawp – to stare or look at someone directly (sometimes in a rude way)
103	to tick along – like a clock, to continue or carry on with no problem
45
What is different though is the way I see things now. I have a little
bit more of an ‘outsider’s point of view104
’ after having lived abroad.
I can see things with new perspective and realise that there’s also
another way of doing things that isn’t always the British way. I can
even say there’s a little bit of Czech in me – whether it’s being a bit
more outdoorsy (we Brits have a tendency to be couch potatoes105
),
cooking česnečka soup or making chlebíčky when guests come round,
or wearing my slippers… but never in the office!
104	outsider’s point of view – to see things from the outside looking in
105	couch potato – a person who spends a lot of time sitting at home, watching TV, etc.
VOCABULARYTASKS
Match the words about British cuisine with their Czech translations.
1	 porridge
2	 mustard
3	 herbs
4	 turnip
5	 flavourless
6	 bland
7	 garlic
8	 curry
9	 cabbage
10	 bacon
A	 bez chuti
B	 bylinky
C	 česnek
D	 hořčice
E	 kari (kousky masa v pikantní omáčce)
F	 ovesná kaše
G	 mdlý
H	 slanina
I	 tuřín, vodnice (kořenová zelenina)
J	 zelí
Task 1
Do you know the difference between the meaning of chips in British
and American English?
1	chips (BrE) 	 A chipsy, brambůrky
2	chips (AmE)	 B hranolky
Task 2
Eating in Britain
Write the opposites for the adjectives describing the UK.
1	 eccentric_____________________________________________
2	 interesting____________________________________________
3	 friendly______________________________________________
4	 dirty________________________________________________
5	 expensive_____________________________________________
6	 overcrowded___________________________________________
Task 3
Match the words connected to work and jobs with their Czech translations.
1	 carpenter
2	 plumber
3	 painter
4	 freelance
5	 contract
6	 salary
7	 employee
A	 instalatér
B	 na volné noze
C	 zaměstnanec
D	 malíř (pokojů)
E	 plat
F	 smlouva
G	 tesař
Task 4
Write the full (non-shortened) forms of the following words:
advert_________________________________________________
apps__________________________________________________
Task 5
Virtual travel around the UK
The changing world of work
Strange celebrations around the UK
Choose the correct Czech translation for the underlined words and phrases.
If you’re in the UK, 1 you can’t fail to notice the firework displays going off all
over the country.
1	 A nemůžete si všimnout	 B nemůžete si nevšimnout
But 2 unlike Bonfire Night or the Lewes burns, it’s a modern‑day tradition
that started only twenty years ago.
2	 A na rozdíl od	 B stejně jako
It was created as a 3 way for people to come together and celebrate
the festive season 4 no matter what their religion.
3	 A cesta	 B způsob
4	 A bez ohledu na	 B kvůli
‘Jack’ is a symbolic 5 representation of spring and is usually a man covered
6 head to toe in green foliage (leaves).
5	 A zpodobnění	 B reprezentace
6	 A na hlavě a nohách	 B od hlavy k patě
Task 6
Solutions
TASK 1: 1F, 2D, 3B, 4I, 5A, 6G, 7C, 8E, 9J, 10H
TASK 2: 1B, 2A
TASK 3: 1 normal; 2 boring; 3 hostile, unfriendly; 4 clean; 5 cheap; 6 empty
TASK 4: 1G, 2A, 3D, 4B, 5F, 6E, 7C
TASK 5: 1 advertisement, 2 applications
TASK 6: 1B, 2A, 3B, 4A, 5A, 6B
Jo Molloy is a British journalist and
writer. After living in the Czech
Republic for two years, where she
got used to wearing slippers in
the office, eating párek v rohlíku
and ordering svařák, she has
returned back to the UK, where
she has to learn to drink warm
beer again, eat cheese-and-pickle
sandwiches and remember to queue
politely instead of pushing in.