bobbb21's New Writeups

Ten things Britons should not do when visiting the US (idea)

2004-05-27T19:18:17Z

Though the two countries may share a common language, America is very different from Britain in many ways. There are many stereotypes about the U.S., most of them completely unfair. However there are a few that generally ring true. So having talked to a group of friends, here is my top 10 of things Britons should not do while in America.

Please note that this is obviously supposed to be humorous as well as helpful. Some people have taken this far too seriously!

1. Do not order super-sized portions.

Regular portions are large enough for most Britons. Don't even feel tempted. You may find you leave some of the regular portion untouched as it is. Remember that guy that tried the McDonald's diet and was begged by doctors to stop? Yes, that's what could happen to you if you're greedy!

2. Do not take a cab during rush hour.

It's very simple. If you've never tried to travel by car in London, you'll be in for a…

HMS King George V (thing)

2004-05-25T18:23:40Z

George V was a resolute monarch who brought Great Britain through World War I, as well as help resolve a severe constitutional crisis in the British Parliament in 1910. His service to his country won him much respect across the political spectrum, much like his son, George VI. When he died on the 20th January, 1936, widespread public mourning was genuine.

He was immortalised in not just one but two mighty British warships. Though they did not have as a colourful career as some other vessels of their day, they were reliable and neither was ever sunk. Whenever HMS King George V arrived on the scene, her allies were reassured and her enemies disheartened.

Battleship HMS King George V
(1911-1926) / (1939-1958)

HMS King George V (1911-1926)

The first HMS King George V, was a King George V-class dreadnought. This battleship…

Scharnhorst (thing)

2004-04-13T14:16:58Z

Throughout much of both World War I and World War II, the German Navy's surface vessels were confined to port by the efforts of the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force. However there were times when ships slipped out to cause havoc amongst the convoys crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This is the story of one of the biggest and fastest of the German surface raiders.

Battleship Scharnhorst (1939-1943)

The birth of Scharnhorst

Scharnhorst was a Gneisenau class battleship, built at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The building contract was placed on the 25th January, 1934, with the Marinewerft (from 1935 the Kriegsmarine Werft) as a part of Adolf Hitler's rearmament program. The keel was laid on the 14th February 1934 on slipway no 2. However after new specifications had to be taken into account, it was scrapped and a new keel was laid down on the 15th June 1935.

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Type 45 destroyer (thing)

2004-03-04T16:03:29Z

Type 45, Daring-class destroyer

Introduction

The Royal Navy's destroyer force has been in service since 1978 and is scheduled for replacement. The Type 42 destroyers will be decommissioned (possibly sold to another country) to make way for the newer Type 45s. Once completed, the Type 45 destroyers will be one the most advanced in the world. 6 have been contracted for currently, with a projected requirement of 8 (12 were planned for originally, but budget cuts restricted the number). The new destroyer force should enter service by 2014.

The first of the Type 45s will be HMS Daring, planned to enter service in 2009 - building started in March 2003. The second and third destroyers, HMS Dauntless (production started August 2004) and HMS Diamond (started February 2005), will enter service in 2010. The following three have been named as HMS Dragon (started December 2005), HMS Defender (starte…

Japan and China's youth (idea)

2004-02-29T20:40:17Z

Bitter enmity or just propaganda? - relations between the youth of China and Japan

Japan is not a popular country in the Far East. The conduct of the Imperial Japanese Army in WWII is well-known to many and even now, she is regarded with a mixture of hatred and contempt by the region. Every year we see students chanting slogans and venting bile at Japan. This applies most of all to China. One might believe that her youth would gladly cross the sea to sow salt in Japan's paddy fields. Or would they?

China is one of those countries where you have to delve beneath the surface to really understand what makes people tick. Few Chinese would openly admit that they like the Japanese. But then again, few Chinese would vocally declare they opposed the Communist Party. Of the young Chinese I have talked to and made friends with, many interact quite normally with the Japanese students they meet.

Though the…

Chepstow Castle (place)

2004-02-29T13:58:56Z

Striguil, Cas Gwent.....

Chepstow Castle

Everyone has a name for it - the Normans Striguil, the Welsh Cas Gwent. But it is still the same Chepstow Castle. The same Chepstow that checked even the bravest warriors and the same Chepstow that encouraged the lowliest defender. Ask anyone from when it was still garrisoned and they would all know all about it. It's significance trascends nationality.

Chepstow Castle is located in the current town of Chepstow, Monmouthshire and is the oldest surviving stone fortification in Britain. The name Chepstow comes from the Saxon Chepe (meaning 'market') and stowe (a 'meeting place'). Located on a limestone cliff overlooking the River Wye, it was long valued for its ability to control the waterway, one of the main crossings from southern England into Wales. Its position above the river also made resupply much easier during a siege, and it…