Author Topic: Man, those British folks sure know how to live (Read 19,924 times)

zridling · « **on:** January 31, 2009, 10:53 AM »

From Stonehenge to Windsor to Updown Court, the typical British home is impressive. Those guys can sure build a mean castle, no matter what century it is.

Unlike other "most expensive houses in the world," this one actually has a video tour of the interior and a narrated explanation of the amenities; and while the house is a couple years old, well, it's the only look many of us will get at how the other 0.00001% lives.

CleverCat · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:18 AM »

You need lots of servants to keep that clean!

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2009, 12:47 PM »

It is an impressive building but with so much poverty in the UK (not to mention the rest of the world) this is a pretty sick project by any standards!!

SKesselman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM »

OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

Darwin · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2009, 05:09 AM »

For something so expensive, it's rather vulgar - on every level. Well... it's expense is one of the ways in which it is vulgar, so I suppose that's a bit of a non sequitur, but still, one expects such extravagance to be more attractive. One hopes it's more aesthetically appealing in the flesh...

SKesselman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:22 AM »

Yes, it looks...harsh, cold and not too inviting...
The link Zaine posted was fun, it showed the estate of Bill Gates. Nice.
And the smallest houses in the world, that was interesting.
Thanks, Zaine!

Deozaan · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:25 AM »

Quote from: SKesselman on February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM

OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

So you don't need to shovel the driveway when it snows.

SKesselman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:02 AM »

Quote from: Deozaan on February 01, 2009, 06:25 AM

Quote from: SKesselman on February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM
OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

So you don't need to shovel the driveway when it snows.

ohhhhh....I see. Interesting.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2009, 09:56 AM »

Quote from: Deozaan on February 01, 2009, 06:25 AM

Quote from: SKesselman on February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM
OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

So you don't need to shovel the driveway when it snows.

When does it snow to the point of needing anything in the south of England ... in a hard winter you might have a couple of days when there is a light dusting that has melted (or been washed away by the rain) within 24 hours!

cranioscopical · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2009, 03:59 PM »

Quote from: SKesselman on February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM

OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

So you don't get cold knuckles, of course!
Here's why

Deozaan · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:12 PM »

Quote from: Carol Haynes on February 01, 2009, 09:56 AM

Quote from: Deozaan on February 01, 2009, 06:25 AM
Quote from: SKesselman on February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM
OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

So you don't need to shovel the driveway when it snows.

When does it snow to the point of needing anything in the south of England ... in a hard winter you might have a couple of days when there is a light dusting that has melted (or been washed away by the rain) within 24 hours!

I don't know what the seasonal climate is like in that part of England. But there are celebrities and others with lots of money who have houses in Sun Valley, Idaho, (a ski resort) that have heated driveways for this purpose. That's why I came to that conclusion.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:50 PM »

The only advantage of a marble driveway I can see (heated or not) is that the pretentious idiots won't live long as their cars will plough into the gates on that surface

Darwin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2009, 08:39 PM »

People here have heated driveways as well... Usually, they live in the ~~mountians~~ mountains and have steep driveways, which are heated to keep them from icing up, rather than to clear snow off 'em!

EDIT: spelling!

CleverCat · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2009, 10:32 AM »

Quote from: Carol Haynes on February 01, 2009, 09:56 AM

Quote from: Deozaan on February 01, 2009, 06:25 AM
Quote from: SKesselman on February 01, 2009, 04:37 AM
OK, "Heated marble driveway".

What for?

So you don't need to shovel the driveway when it snows.

When does it snow to the point of needing anything in the south of England ... in a hard winter you might have a couple of days when there is a light dusting that has melted (or been washed away by the rain) within 24 hours!

I remember 6ft snow drifts at our front door - in Kent - many years ago though!

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2009, 11:15 AM »

Ironically they currently have the worst snow in 20 years!

CleverCat · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2009, 12:12 PM »

Yikes! I'm glad we're in SA now.....

katykaty · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2009, 02:29 PM »

The whole of Southern England - me included - is currently taking a duvet day

Love the houses though - totally Footballers Wives

cranioscopical · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2009, 06:17 PM »

Quote from: Carol Haynes on February 01, 2009, 09:56 AM

When does it snow to the point of needing anything in the south of England

Never, ever, make such remarks. You see what you've done now!
Blame Carol

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2009, 06:42 PM »

Mea culpa - oh woe is me

katykaty · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2009, 06:48 PM »

Don't be too hard on yourself Carol - I got an extra day off work, I'm not complaining

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2009, 06:58 PM »

I've spent the day lounging in front of a coal fire watching a mixture of La Boheme and Desperate Housewives on TV - with lovely views of snow covered hills outside the window!

40hz · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:59 PM »

Quote from: Carol Haynes on February 02, 2009, 06:58 PM

watching a mixture of La Boheme and Desperate Housewives on TV

Interesting combination, Carol.

My favorite snowy day movies are Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain and Mamoru Oshii's Avalon.

[attach]

Darwin · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2009, 10:11 PM »

No one has commented on the picture of Hugh Laurie in his pre-House days...

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2009, 10:41 PM »

Quote from: 40hz on February 02, 2009, 08:59 PM

Quote from: Carol Haynes on February 02, 2009, 06:58 PM
watching a mixture of La Boheme and Desperate Housewives on TV

Interesting combination, Carol.

My favorite snowy day movies are Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain and Mamoru Oshii's Avalon.
(see attachment in previous post)
Best enjoyed with a nice glass (or two) of port, followed by omelets for dinner.

(Thank goodness for DVD's!)

I love Amélie - brilliant film!

tomos · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2009, 08:19 AM »

Quote from: Darwin on February 02, 2009, 10:11 PM

No one has commented on the picture of Hugh Laurie in his pre-House days...

is that a comment then Mike

That looks like Blackadder - he was in that, wasnt he? Yes, he was, now there's something to spend a snowed in day watching

Pre-"House" - I'm out of touch - is that good then?