Thank you! I love living where I do and it has such ancient roots as an independent kingdom (Northumbria). There's a lot of history around here and don't even get me started on those Scots! ;-)
What's wrong with the Scots?, oh, er, never mind. Best not to get started on that list.
Nice post and welcome aboard.
It is sad to see the state that the nation that practically invented both freedom of speech, and the right for the common man to bear arms has come to this sorry state. I'm afraid that we're headed down the same road ourselves.