CLARKSON'S FARM

 

I love Jeremy Clarkson's selfdeprecating humour, his wonderful accent. Also, specially the 2nd season, they way he feels about Brexit, institutions, meaningless and unsesible laws...Perhaps you know him after many years of Top Gear tv programs all over the world.

The rest of cast of this show have become celebrities after the first season, but they are authentic -or so they seem-: “I’m absolutely delighted that, once again you’ll be able to spend some time with Cheerful Charlie, Gerald, Lisa and of course, Kaleb". 

it is also a great series to get to know vocabulary related to agriculture: machinery, seeds, farm work, 

if you want to know more about this series I can also recommend you this great review from The Spectator: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/first-rate-tv-clarksons-farm-on-amazon-prime-reviewed/

British humour at its best

 

CUNK ON EARTH

https://youtu.be/JWS-qfR6K3w

A friend of mine recommended me Cunk on Britain a few days before Netflix broadcasted Cunk on Earth in Spain and I couldn't believe my ears nor my eyes, no matter the interview.

Philomena Cunk ((played by Diane Morgan)  explores the history of the world through her notorious Cunkian lens. She is a fake British TV host who has appeared in a number of specials over the last decade. After making her debut in Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker. 

The Philomena Cunk character went on to star in a number of drily hilarious, documentary-style BBC specials of her own, like Cunk Britain. For her big streaming debut, Cunk’s now hosting a new satirical docuseries that showcases her sardonic humor and deadpan naïveté, while taking on a much larger subject: all of human history.

Despite getting little promotion and publicity, Cunk on Earth is a deeply funny, unexpectedly informative mockumentary that delivers as many laughs as fun little facts and tidbits about human history. It is, in short, the best show you’re not watching right now.

Aaron Boggis replies:

I  like Ricky Gervais's Derek.
Listen to that broad Lancashire accent (from Bolton to be precise). I love different accents and hers is really strong.

Has anyone seen it?

Here's the trailer to give you a taster if not.

https://youtu.be/Hd5WdxGRNG8

Dragon Boundary Marks

 

Shared and curated by Melina Rellán:

The City of London and London are not the same thing. Essentially, there are two Londons: Greater London and the City of London, otherwise known as the City or the Square Mile. 

The City of London has its origins in the fortified Roman settlement of Londinium, which was erected roughly two thousand years ago on the northern bank of the River Thames and came to encompass one square mile within its walls.

Furthermore, you’ll know you’re in the real City of London when you pass by one of the large dragon statues. The dragons’ introduction seems to have derived from the legend of St George.

The City of London is guarded by  dragons that delineate its boundaries. Each dragon is made out of cast iron and painted silver with touches of red in their wings and tongue. The shield they bear is the City of London’s coat of arms. 

Moreover, dragons have come to represent both the City and the protection of the City.

HISTORY ALICE

 

Shared and curated by Petrina Moir:

Nowadays, it seems that most of my students pay little attention to anything that lasts more than a minute, hence History Alice. This is a great account to follow on Instagram, Alic Loxton is a passionate historian and her short videos give you an insight into British culture. They are entertaining and intriguing videos where you pick up titbits about British architecture, language and life in the past. 

Have a look

https://www.instagram.com/history_alice/?hl=es

LIVING LONDON HISTORY

Shared and curated by Petrina Moir:

If you have taken a look at History with Alice, another of my favourites on Instagram is this character:- https://livinglondonhistory.com/

He has a blog although I must say I find his instagram videos much more entertaining, there are bite sized snippets about curiosities around the streets of London.

 I can´t wait to go on my own little private treasure hunt . There are so many oddities to find! So even if you are not one for social media, it´s worth exploring the idea if you ever fancy a different trip to London. 

https://livinglondonhistory.com/

Reading recommendations about the English people. Books by Jeremy Paxman and Kate Fox

 

Shared and curated b y Aaron Boggis:

A great, but challenging read. I read it some years ago and found it very entertaining. It will maybe help you understand us a little too. 😂😂😂😂😉

Jeremy Paxman is a  journalist well known for his cutting interviews and his ability of not allowing politicians to squirm out of answering his questions.

Have any of you read an interesting book or article about the English and what did it say?

https://jeremypaxman.co.uk/book/the-english

https://www.amazon.es/English-Portrait-People-Jeremy-Paxman/dp/0141032952

Some of his interviews to give you an idea.

Sara Arias responds by recommending:

I have read Watching the English.The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour, by Kate Fox. 

It describes conversation and behaviour codes. It's helpful and hilarious!

A day in Newcastle: my favourite English plan

 

Shared and curated by Gisesa Abrain:

As today is Sunday it came to me this idea of what would I be doing if I happen to be in England! I lived in Newcastle for a year and this was my favourite Sunday plan.

I would quite probably wake up late, grab some breakfast, get on some comfy clothes and take the metro line to Tynemouth. The station itself is beautiful and every weekend tens of stalls fill it with books, food, art, antiques… After that I would head to the coast, it is only half a mile but it would take me at least 30 minutes. Why? In the way there I would join the longest queue, the one to get Fish and Chips at Marshalls. Extra vinegar please. 2 more minutes to the coast and lunch in the beach. I still crave those fish and chips every now and then.

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday)

Here´s a wee video about Shrove Tuesday (celebrated in most English speaking countries).

I prefer my pancakes with lemon and sugar...

What filling do you like?

Enjoy!

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday)

Shared and curated by Michael Church

Australian news headlines

 

9News is a collection page for national news: https://www.9news.com.au/national.It promises to bring you breaking news faster than any other media organisation. If it’s happening in Australia, you’ll find it here. 

And this is an example. Click on the headline in green to access.

 Police to open up two euthanised crocodiles in search for missing man

Kevin Darmody was fishing with a friend when he mysteriously vanished. A series of unusual sounds are the only clues in his disappearance.

In FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND, 2 hours ago

The Address Book

 

I would like to recommend this surprising book by Deirdre Maks, that I am currently enjoying. it starts in the streets of Indian and goes around the word explaining complex and sometimes hidden stories behind street names and their power to name, to hide, to decide who counts, who doesn’t―and why. 

When most people think about street addresses, if they think of them at all, it is in their capacity to ensure that the postman can deliver mail or a traveler won’t get lost. But street addresses were not invented to help you find your way; they were created to find you. In many parts of the world, your address can reveal your race and class.

In this wide-ranging and remarkable book, Deirdre Mask looks at the fate of streets named after Martin Luther King Jr., the wayfinding means of ancient Romans, and how Nazis haunt the streets of modern Germany. The flipside of having an address is not having one, and we also see what that means for millions of people today, including those who live in the slums of Kolkata and on the streets of London. 

Indian summer recipes

 Shared and curated by Petrina Moir:

Most people tend to associate Indian cuisine as something spicy, eye-watering even! 

However, there are so many regions and sub-cultures with an array of ingredients. 

The weather is warming up and I can´t think of anything better than a refreshing salad with an Inidian twist with some delicious skewers of grilled/barbecued meat.

 I have included two recipes that don´t entail scouring shops and specialist stores for spices. Spanish friendly!

Bon appetit! 

Why not try a refreshing cucumber salad?

Recipe: https://www.thespruceeats.com/kachumber-salad-4172358

How about aromatic chicken?

Recipe:https://www.thespruceeats.com/reshmi-kabab-recipe-1957401

Explore Canada, 5500 km travelled and captured on camera

 

Take a look at this video to explore this magnificent country.

Curated and shared by Petrina Moir

Kenojvak Ashevak - Inuit Artist

 

  https://youtu.be/Eeka1Y0jrss

 Kenojvak Ashevak is a ceñebrated Inuit artist, her work is quite unusual. Symbolic and influenced by her upbringing. Her style could be easily produced with students, they could use cut out shapes to produce similar pieces. They could even identify the representation of certain symbols and come up with similar symbols that represent their country. 

Just a suggestion!

Curated and shared by Petrina Moir