Making Australians feel at home - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 06:59:26 pm
content: Hi all, a bit of an odd one.A friend of mine and his girlfriend from Australia will be visiting me in the UK. I would like to make them feel at home.Any tips?

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 07:07:13 pm
content: I always like going to the pub when I'm there.. I've met quite a few other Aussies in London that way...A bit of sun always is nice!

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 09:46:21 pm
content: Quote from: Alex on August 12, 2011, 06:59:26 pmShame they're not here now -- I imagine watching the national cricket team make mincemeat of the tourists would be a welcome home comfort for an Australian

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 10:06:37 pm
content: Fosters beer?muhaha

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 11:21:58 pm
content: A friend I used to work with hailed from Australia. Beer and cricket were interests for sure. But to some extent I think Britain feels like a home away from home for Australians. Apart from everything being back to front and upside down (like Christmas being in the middle of the summer), and a penchant for abbreviating words by putting an 'o' on the end (like having a lazy arvo after a lunch around the barbie at Crimbo) there is a considerable cultural affinity between the two nations.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 11:52:50 pm
content: Having a jar of vegemite and Australian butter available is essential.Oh, and about an extra 10degC or so.You could throw in any biscuits by Arnotts or made in Oz Cadbury chocolate.(When overseas I always miss being able to get Australian lollies, chips, and sweets)And have a pair of thongs at the front door they can slip on.A Hills Hoist in the backyard would score big points.Dave.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 12:05:06 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 12, 2011, 11:52:50 pmThis one is going to cause a lot of giggles...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 12:41:41 am
content: Quote from: Time on August 12, 2011, 10:06:37 pmCripes no!! That muck is so bad it's for export it!Any of the Tassie beers are the go Boags Cascade etc. And here is the hint. Store Beer in fridge not the cupboard.I recall working in Melbourne some years ago where the site hand would look after the catering. The coldest beer was always at the back of the fridge, the freshly loaded stuff always placed at the front. He served the Poms from the front and the locals from the back assuring us they liked it that way. No one ever complained!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 12:49:48 am
content: At the risk of starting a flame warMarmite > Vegemite

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 01:07:01 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 13, 2011, 12:49:48 amMarmite is poo, so are all the other imitators. There is nothing as good, as healthy and as nourishing as good old (American Owned) Aussie Vegemite.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VegemiteVEGEMITE SONGWe're happy little VegemitesAs bright as bright can be.We all enjoy our VegemiteFor breakfast, lunch, and tea.Our mummies say we're growing strongerEvery single week,Because we love our VegemiteWe all adore our VegemiteIt puts a rose in every cheek.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 02:17:57 am
content: Oh,I'm sure the Aussies will be quite at home !I'm assured by people who have been to "the Old Dart" since last time I travelled in those parts(40 years ago),that the Brits have been dragged screaming into the 20th Century ( they haven't quite made to the 21st,but they are working on it).Back in the day,if you were doing the tourist thing, it came to be about 3pm,& you felt like a beer ,you would find the pub was closed,so you had to find a shop somewhere to buy a room temperature bottle of "Tizer" to quench your thirst-- sticky, sickly sweet, & hot,not quite the same as a beer!Fish & chip shops were good--when they were "frying",which was seldom!Generally the "takeaway food" scene was abysmal--when Aussies,Kiwis & Yanks got together,we would whine about the food!One exception,two really great pie shops in Southampton!Having to drive 70 odd miles to London to buy KFC was a bit poor!(Probably served me right for living in a "provincial" city)British Rail pies-----AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!Strangest of all,one Sunday I was trying to buy some bath soap, as we had run out.I went to a "corner shop" where they were amazed that I didn't know you had to buy soap at the "Ironmongers",which was really a hardware store!I have been assured that all these issues have been addressed,& all is now sweetness & light.But seriously,if they have enough time to get about & see all the "touristy" stuff,they will have a great time.VK6ZGO

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 03:09:15 am
content: I think Asda sell Vegemite, I have certainly seen it on the shelves in a major store somewhere. Do Aussies still love Tim Tams? This place have them, but they aren't cheaphttp://www.angloaustraliantrading.comYou can borrow my Kangaroos rugby top if you like. The down side is you have to be brave enough to wear the shorts tooI wonder if they will be going to Whitby? One of the best days out I have ever had was seeing the replica of Endeavour there (sadly back home in Australia now). Absolutely incredible to see this comparatively tiny wooden ship that had crossed such huge distances. Having said that, Whitby is only 90 minutes from here, so pretty easy to get to for me, it is a fair slog from down south though. Probably worth an overnighter, to do Staithes and the Cook museum in Middlesbrough, if that floats their boat.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 03:53:11 am
content: Quote from: Time on August 12, 2011, 10:06:37 pmI find this offensive!Coopers Red if you guys have it over there. Actually, any non-shit beer.Take em to the local pub or something.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 04:33:24 am
content: Brits are quite fond of beer,no matter what type,or where it comes from!My mate & I found a pub in London which had Swan Lager on tap,which had many more local than Aussie customers.We forgot about our tourist destination & wet our whistle with some good old West Aussie brew!Unfortunately, they didn't have Swan cans,only Foster's!We swallowed our pride & took a few cans back to SOTON, where we, in turn,swallowed the Fosters.(A great improvement on Carling Black Label,if not quite Swan!)This became a habit during our London visits, until walking back from the train we passed a Tesco's with a great pyramid of Fosters cans in the window.This shop was about two blocks away from our flat!I never got used to room temperature beer,except for Newcastle Brown Ale ,which is good at any temp.With the rise of the "Real Ale " movement in the UK,it appears that there are some really nice brews available there.I wonder if they still make "Ewer's Lager" in Scotland.In the pub I went to in Edinburgh,they were selling it in big,frosty jugs, OZ style--it was very nice!!VK6ZGO

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 05:36:33 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 13, 2011, 04:33:24 amRoom temperature beer is always wrong. I don't know where this strange idea that we drink room temperature beer comes from. Real ale is correctly served at cellar temperature, which is about 12°C or so. Lagers and other styles are served cooler. But if you go into a pub and they try to serve you room temperature beer, you should walk out again. It is a crap pub.(Yeah, there are plenty of crap pubs in the UK, but thanks to the efforts of CAMRA there are fewer than there used to be. There is crap food and crap customer service and crap all sorts of other stuff too. Sorry about that. All I can suggest is you vote with your feet and seek out the good places. Let the crap places go out of business for lack of custom.)

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 06:35:09 am
content: Make sure there is a decent hot shower, connected to a working hot water system. With soap, shampoo and some real bath towels.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 08:30:25 am
content: Quote from: tronixstuff on August 13, 2011, 06:35:09 amYou might have to provide some Wikipedia links to these mysterious items. It's the poms we are talking about hereDave.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 08:44:46 am
content: Agree with the comments on beer - Coopers Sparkling Ale or failing that, any Tassie beer will do.Poms do serve their beer at room temperature as this is usually near the temperature inside a fridge .[This assumes that your visitor is a beer drinker]Finally,Tim-Tams- I'll say no more

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 09:03:41 am
content: I'd like to get some education. What would you suggest I try from this placehttp://www.australiashop.co.uk/I pass the redback tavern in Ealing every dayhttp://www.redbacktavern.com/Not sure if this is what your looking for?David.

author: Kozmyk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 10:17:08 am
content: They've just travel 1/2 way across the world, why would they want to feel at home?Take 'em for a real ale and a curry (traditional British celebration food - well in Wales it is).Oh and if you can't find Vegemite try crumbling a couple of Veggy Oxo cubes into ordinary Marmite.Thanks to Natalie Imbruglia on the Graham Norton Show we now know what Tim Tams are, and their little explosions.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 11:09:49 am
content: Quote from: AntiProtonBoy on August 13, 2011, 03:53:11 amYes, I don't think much of Fosters either. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's piss, it's drinkable but there's simply no flavour and would rather drink Tizer of even diet Coke any day.Quote from: IanB on August 13, 2011, 05:36:33 amIt also pisses me off when pubs sell me bitter or ale too cold but at least I can wait for it to warm up a bit.My favourite beers Newcastle Brown, Nutty Black Ale, Hobgobin and Honey Due but I wouldn't expect many people here to have heard of them.I'd also recommend anyone visiting the UK to try cider but not the shitty stuff like Strongbow, Frosty Jack, Magners etc. My advice is go to a beer/cider festival for good stuff which can be hard to buy elsewhere.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 01:48:12 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on August 13, 2011, 05:36:33 amWell,right now,it's mid winter in West OZ.Night time room temperatureisabout 12 degrees C,or quite often substantially less.I would still expect my beer to be noticeably colder than that!I do believe that Brit food,etc has improved enormously since I was there back in the Dreamtime!Give your visitors some good home cooked British food,& they will be happy.Whenever I ate at somebodies home the food was excellent!VK6ZGO

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 03:41:34 pm
content: Steak and mashed potatoes?

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 04:18:50 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 13, 2011, 01:48:12 pmCAMRA (CAMpaign for Real Ale) believe that real ale is best enjoyed at round 12oC because it's the average cellar temperature in southern England, where ale is traditionally made.Lager is brewed at much lower temperatures than real ale and only became popular after the invention of modern refrigeration and I agree that it's best enjoyed at a much lower temperature than ale, around 4oC.I think the reason for the disagreement is you haven't had real ale before, you can't compare it with with lager, it's like apples to oranges - Fosters Carling, Stella Artois, Budweiser etc. are not real ales and are not even known as beer, here in the UK they're called lagers. Not all are shit, some are nice but they have a poor reputation compared to traditional ales, round these parts.I suppose there's no point in arguing, it's a matter of opinion.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 04:32:28 pm
content: Quote from: baljemmett on August 12, 2011, 09:46:21 pmmy cosan came over from Aus and he didn't like it when I took him to one cricket match. Mind you, that was England vs Aus the last time there were over hereNeil

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 07:02:26 pm
content: Quote from: Neilm on August 13, 2011, 04:32:28 pmYou're good to go as long as your visitors don't come from India right now

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 10:07:06 pm
content: Quote from: Neilm on August 13, 2011, 04:32:28 pmSeriously, you win the ashes four times in a century and you see that as bragging rights.But word is England's youth will scoop the pools in the new Olympic event the "Brick lob, Loot & Scarper!".

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 10:19:13 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on August 13, 2011, 04:18:50 pmWhy would you want beer the same temperature as your peak summer days?ABCWHWB (Aussie Brew Consumers who hate Warm Beer) would love to inform CAMRA about the miracle of refrigeration, it came into widespread use around the world in the early 1900's, we are sure it will catch on in the UK sometime soon.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 10:33:23 pm
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on August 13, 2011, 10:07:06 pmThat's why I said it'd make them feel at home to see the locals winningAlthough we did take India's position at the top of the world Test rankings today so for now...QuoteI wouldn't bet on it -- if there's one thing we English excel at, it's inventing sports that other countries always beat us at

author: Frangible
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 10:48:17 pm
content: Quote from: Time on August 12, 2011, 10:06:37 pmFoster's, it's Australian for "Piss".

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 10:53:32 pm
content: Quote from: baljemmett on August 13, 2011, 10:33:23 pmTrue and you've achieved it from within the laws of the game and without the use of bookmakers, blatant racism, or some rude knob with a lump in his helmet, all of which is to be applauded.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 11:06:09 pm
content: Quote from: Frangible on August 13, 2011, 10:48:17 pm

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 04:44:52 am
content: Of course,Brit beer of all kinds has moved on a bit from the days of the "Watneys Red Revolution",so I guess they are entitled to rubbish Fosters!It is often said that there is no bad beer---But Southwark comes close!(sorry South Aussies!)"Fix" lager from Greece takes a bit of getting used to as well ! (I don't know if it is still made!)Ditto for "Allsops", from the UK,which is probably defunct too!Pubs & Grog shops are fairly cosmopolitan in OZ these days,so you can slowly immunise yourself against Pommy beer prior to a trip.But seriously,I had a lot of good times drinking in pubs with my Pommy mates,way back when!VK6ZGO

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 08:01:02 am
content: If I were to go to the UK, I'd want to sample their beer in its natural environment. ie PUB.Even if it was crap you can then consider it a worthwhile experience.As for being offered a Foster's as I stepped off a plane, I think I'd turn around and ask the pilot to take me somewhere else.WE DON'T EVEN SELL THAT CRAP HERE ANYMORE!!!!Having been to Germany, I know they are great brewmeisters and would be expecially glad to sample any of their micro brewed stuff.I'm sure similar establishments must be in the UK?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 08:13:55 am
content: Quote from: RayJones on August 14, 2011, 08:01:02 amGood man!QuoteAbsolutely. Just read the reviews and find the good places.The thing about traditional ales in the UK, is they haveflavour. If you chill the crap out of them, you can't taste them.Australia makes a whole variety of excellent red wines that are enjoyed around the world. Would you insist on putting a good Shiraz in the fridge before drinking it?

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 09:47:36 am
content: Quote from: IanB on August 14, 2011, 08:13:55 amNo,but I like white wine & Rose' cold!Way back when,one of the pubs I went to in the UK kept their bottled beer in a crate behind the bar (room temp),so if you didn't like what was on tap,that was your other choice.If I remember correctly,they had Carling Black Label,Heinekens & Watney's Pale Ale in bottles.We managed to talk Maisie (Real name!!) into keeping a couple of bottles in the 'fridge for us,as regulars.The Carling & Heinekens never had much flavour anyway---You can rubbish Fosters all you want,but you can taste it,& smell it when you open it!Watney's Pale Ale was quite nice,but we still preferred it cold.If we got a hot one,we put it outside on the windowsill to cool down in the winter---second floor,so no worries that some passer-by might get a free treat!Then there were the food places which sold lager with a meal-----if you wanted it cold,they dropped iceblocks in it!VK6ZGO

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 02:36:03 pm
content: Carling, Heineken and Watney's Pale Ale are not to be confused with proper beer. CAMRA has been along since then. Ice cubes in lager? This is a long-forgotten England I can scarcely believe existed, yet I guess it once did.Lest anyone be confused, this is the kind of real ale that is worth tasting, especially if hand pulled from the cask in a pub that knows how to look after and serve its beer:http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/71/219

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 02:54:13 pm
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on August 13, 2011, 10:19:13 pmYou've obviously neither been to the UK in summer nor have had real ale so you're obviously not in the position to comment.In reality, the average peak summer temperature in southern England is 22oC and we have real beer over here, not to be confused with shitty lager.Quote from: IanB on August 14, 2011, 08:13:55 amI think you've hit the nail on the head there. Real ale has flavours which you simply can't taste if it's chilled below about 10oC.Although I'm not a wine drinker myself, I suppose it's like red vs white wine; red is supposed to be served at cellar temperature and white at refrigerator temperature.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 02:57:07 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on August 14, 2011, 08:13:55 amAt times yes, though usually only in extreme weather. There are a million books and as many snobs who'd suggest you shouldn't but lightly chilled Red can be just the shot on a hot summer night. Likewise if your intending on keeping an opened red for more than a few day, refrigeration can be the shot. Mind you I've never know a good opened red to last more than an hour or so.For those suggesting you can get English Ales in Australia, your being had, most are a Carton & United Slops with an English label and a price premium. Tall cans of Guinness and Killkenny being the only UK exceptions, but the odds of getting fresh ones here, are very slim. Ditto for German, Dutch and Danish Beers, ask to read the labels before mortgaging your house for a slab of imported.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 03:03:13 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on August 14, 2011, 02:54:13 pmPathetic! Can see why you guys will never need reflectors on your bicycle clips when wearing shorts.QuoteQuoteIf you drink warm beer all the time I'm surprised you can taste anything.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 06:16:02 pm
content: There are plenty of clubs on every UK high street which will gladly dispensetasteless pisslager at close to 0C in large quantities for not much money if you so wish. There will also be no shortage of teenage girls around you too, willing to offer you an interesting time at the STD clinic in a few months.On the other hand, adults here generally prefer to drink beer for taste, not to get off their manboobs as fast as they can. Being a Yorkshireman I may be biased towards Theakston's, Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor's (but not Tetley which is pretty much concentrated burps in a mug).Don't forget to put up all your Kylie and Jason Donovan posters

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2011, 11:31:34 pm
content: Quote from: Zad on August 14, 2011, 06:16:02 pmHaving seen examples of Yorkshirewoman your penchant for darker livestock and chaps named Tim could be almost understable. If you draw the ire of a local constable, you could use the Kiwi defence of "Honest officer I was only helping it over the fence!".

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2011, 02:49:37 am
content: Quote from: Zad on August 14, 2011, 06:16:02 pmI'm way past teenage girls,& what's new?They had scungy clubs back in the 1970s too!The point is that the reason the lager they sell is tasteless is because of the choice of brands they sell,rather than the temperature.Australian,American,& Canadian lager,if you drink them cold,have distinct flavours,although maybe a bit delicate for those brought up on the more assertive flavours of BritishDishwaterdraft ale.Many young Aussies & Brits drink to get completely pissed,so it doesn't really matter what the beer tastes like,but for OFs like myself,there is nothing nicer on a 37 degree C day,to roll into a pub,& enjoy a nice coldy!!I found years ago,anything much hotter than that,& you really have to have a Pub Squash first!VK6ZGO