Berlin FAQ Blog

Despite being a former Subject of Her Lizness, the intervals between my visits to England's^[1] green and pleasant shores (always wondered about the "green" bit though, do they paint the sand or something?) have grown increasingly long, but my diary informs me I have an appointment with Air Cheap'O'Jet at the crack of dawn tomorrow: so it's time to dig out the shoebox full of forrin currencies and - just to be on the safe side - verify that my weighty collection of regally decorated coins and notes is still legal tender. And to see if any new ones have appeared in the meantime, because it's happened more than once that I've been handed some item of specie in change (the 2 pound coin comes to mind) and had to look at it very suspiciously and / or interrogate the cashier as to its validity.

^[1] usual disclaimer: I am using "England" in its German sense, though the weekend will probably see me gambolling with the sheep amongst the bracken of the Welsh borders.

Anyway, if the Internet can be relied upon, it appears there is a new 20 pound note featuring the arch-enemy of my left-wing A-level economics tutor, Adam Smith. I have also verified that the 5 pound note, which according to my memory has a picture of Stephenson's Rocket on it, is no longer in use, or even acceptable to anyone apart from the Bank of England, which is a great disappointment because I feel it represented one of the last high-water marks of British railway technology.

Fortunately the two 5 pound notes in my possession appear to be of recent vintage, but if you'll allow me to rant a little here, why are British bank notes always so grotty? And why do people used them to do calculations with? And moreover, why are the coins so bloody heavy? And when will the 2p finally be phased out? I'm sure Britain could meet half of its carbons emmissions targets just by introducing lighter coinage, thereby cutting down on weight that needs to be transported about.

So, here's hoping that over the next few days the trains are running properly (or at least running), there's no tube strike, and there are no devastating floods / terrorist alerts / outbreaks of mad foot disease. Oh yes, if someone could solve the McCann case by late tonight, I'd be very grateful.

Update: Safety fears halt Tube services...