It’s all so grim! I escaped to the states ages ago and live in something of a dystopic environment... yet this feels preferable to what you describe. It’s a time of choose your poison seems to me.
HS2 was always a vanity project, for the past 15 years government has been "encouraging" big businesses to avoid putting roots down in London in favour of the North (where I live). What use is 6 minutes off the journey to London, when it still takes feckin hours to get from Leeds to Manchester on the slowest rail service known to man? That's where the investment SHOULD have been but no.....we're governed by idiots who are advised by children 🙄
Which route? It would cut some journeys in half, if we did it properly. Either we are a 'great country' or we should just admit we aren't up to it, tbh.
Trains in Wales are pretty soviet, too. Around an hour from Merthyr to Cardiff... about 30 miles.
Trains across the whole of the North are totally shite. It's like a 3rd world up here from an infrastructure pov, but sure, let's get more chinless wonders to London faster.....its laughable. Not to mention the eye watering costs. Apparently Alastair Darling's remark even as he pitched it, was "I never thought they'd be stupid enough to do it". It's a complete and utter waste of money, and yes, we are rubbish at these projects.
But why do we think it's ridiculous? Modern countries have these things. Yes, it costs money. But it's a huge, country-changing thing. We are falling behind. And we deserve to do so.
Anyway, I refuse to depress you further, friend! All will be well (from across the drink).
I felt that I had my money's worth at "one-footed waltz." As a stand-alone, as a descriptor of my abilities on the dance floor, and as a metaphor for both our countries.
Politicians sure love their high speed rail. California has spent a few billion on a high speed line between somewhere north of LA to the middle of the state. I don't think that any of is has actually been built yet.
Very good. Your words were on fire for this one. "In truth, this country is a retirement home. If you’re young or youngish, you’d be better off elsewhere." captures it well.
Mr. Gage, another delightful article. I did not see a square footage for the lovely home in the pictures.
I know in LA houses run about 2.5 million US for 800 square feet.
So we share your pain.
Here in God's country, Minnesocold. Homes are much cheaper, unless you want to live on a lake. Then the price goes way up. Of course that all depends on the lake your on.
As for government run projects, well lets just say we have more nimbies. I might have spelled that wrong. Forgive me, it isn't a word used in the states.
We call these women an acronym that stands for, Can't Understand Normal Thinking. I believe we were always a bit more vulgar then our cousins across the pond.
Good point, mate. It's 2,170 Sq. Ft. So, it's not a hovel, but £1.4m for a house built for a lower-middle class family? Crazy. I'm no economist, but surely it just goes bang some day.
Great acronym. Shall use that myself.
France... because it's a lot easier to get into than America. Everything works, and the people still have that free-spirited, fun-loving sense of life. Not to whinge, but Britain isn't in a good place right now. You can almost smell the malaise! In a choice between the fear of failure and regret, I choose the first.
It’s all so grim! I escaped to the states ages ago and live in something of a dystopic environment... yet this feels preferable to what you describe. It’s a time of choose your poison seems to me.
Don’t go French. Come here, to Texas. Our Aussie friends came over and love it.
America was the destination, until it was not. And... unless I walk over the border, it's almost impossible to get in! Open borders now!
Not a serious country but it sure has some serious c*nts.
HS2 was always a vanity project, for the past 15 years government has been "encouraging" big businesses to avoid putting roots down in London in favour of the North (where I live). What use is 6 minutes off the journey to London, when it still takes feckin hours to get from Leeds to Manchester on the slowest rail service known to man? That's where the investment SHOULD have been but no.....we're governed by idiots who are advised by children 🙄
Which route? It would cut some journeys in half, if we did it properly. Either we are a 'great country' or we should just admit we aren't up to it, tbh.
Trains in Wales are pretty soviet, too. Around an hour from Merthyr to Cardiff... about 30 miles.
Trains across the whole of the North are totally shite. It's like a 3rd world up here from an infrastructure pov, but sure, let's get more chinless wonders to London faster.....its laughable. Not to mention the eye watering costs. Apparently Alastair Darling's remark even as he pitched it, was "I never thought they'd be stupid enough to do it". It's a complete and utter waste of money, and yes, we are rubbish at these projects.
But why do we think it's ridiculous? Modern countries have these things. Yes, it costs money. But it's a huge, country-changing thing. We are falling behind. And we deserve to do so.
Anyway, I refuse to depress you further, friend! All will be well (from across the drink).
Because we're a tiny island nation. We don't have the huge distances to warrant it. Good luck in France 🇫🇷 😂
I felt that I had my money's worth at "one-footed waltz." As a stand-alone, as a descriptor of my abilities on the dance floor, and as a metaphor for both our countries.
Politicians sure love their high speed rail. California has spent a few billion on a high speed line between somewhere north of LA to the middle of the state. I don't think that any of is has actually been built yet.
Tajikistan has high-speed rail.
Very good. Your words were on fire for this one. "In truth, this country is a retirement home. If you’re young or youngish, you’d be better off elsewhere." captures it well.
Thanks, mate. I tried to avoid being too bleak... but that's the consensus amongst anyone under 45.
Mr. Gage, another delightful article. I did not see a square footage for the lovely home in the pictures.
I know in LA houses run about 2.5 million US for 800 square feet.
So we share your pain.
Here in God's country, Minnesocold. Homes are much cheaper, unless you want to live on a lake. Then the price goes way up. Of course that all depends on the lake your on.
As for government run projects, well lets just say we have more nimbies. I might have spelled that wrong. Forgive me, it isn't a word used in the states.
We call these women an acronym that stands for, Can't Understand Normal Thinking. I believe we were always a bit more vulgar then our cousins across the pond.
I must ask, really France? Why?
Good point, mate. It's 2,170 Sq. Ft. So, it's not a hovel, but £1.4m for a house built for a lower-middle class family? Crazy. I'm no economist, but surely it just goes bang some day.
Great acronym. Shall use that myself.
France... because it's a lot easier to get into than America. Everything works, and the people still have that free-spirited, fun-loving sense of life. Not to whinge, but Britain isn't in a good place right now. You can almost smell the malaise! In a choice between the fear of failure and regret, I choose the first.
I have noticed that France is starting to fight back against the European invasion from Africa.
The problem for we Americans is there's no place to go.
So far, Substack has not challenged my use of the, aherm, h-word. Might as well go for it.
Hahaha. I must decline. I use it with those who don't mind it, but most people detest such a word.