To think we really don’t appreciate this country enough?

[lookatyougoaway]

I’m currently on a train from London down to Cornwall and this country really is gorgeous. Yes, certain areas need some attention. But the actual landscape and countryside is gorgeous. We really should appreciate this more.

Who doesn't appreciate it?

Everyone, I think. All you ever hear is really negative talk.

No you don't 🤷🏻

I think you are talking to the wrong people! Not my experience.

Yes, the British Isles are stunning. I'm particularly fond of the West Country and Wales. If we have hotter summers I think many people might choose to stay here instead of going abroad. Although I suppose a lot of things are more expensive here.

This is just you, OP. Or maybe your circle of friends and family. The vast majority of people close to me appreciate the countryside in our country

Both things can be true at once - when you are walking through a rough housing estate that's littered with needles, peoples spit 🤢 and the sweet aroma of body fluids, it's hard to appreciate rolling hills and countryside - same goes the other way 😉.

Absolutely agree - it really is stunning and we are really lucky to have such a relatively mild climate.

I also find people on the whole polite and well mannered. We queue beautifully!

I appreciate it. Been living in this country for 20 years and now a citizen, married to a citizen from here and a parent and very senior professional.

it has a sharp contrast to the country I grew up in where walking on the streets as a little girl, using the buses as a teenager - none of it was safe. Where there is no NHS, profound nepotism for jobs and every time I visit with kids and spouse I return with a renewed love for the UK

There are so many things to appreciate in the UK.

Beautiful coastlines, green spaces in urban and rural areas, open to all.

Accessible healthcare, social welfare, education.

Freedom of belief, rule of law, democracy.

It might not be perfect, but we would certainly all be poorer if it were not there.

Totally agree. Negativity has such an impact on mental health. I honestly don’t understand a lot of the negativity or why people engage in it. I think Burnham is right and a lot is whipped up by other states such as Russia. When you start to look you realise we are living in a paradise a huge percentage around the world would give anything to live in- the NHS and healthcare for all,safety, clean water, food, beautiful countryside and wonderful cities fairly easy to access in most places, freedom, a balanced climate, seasons, sea within easy access, a system of support if you fall on bad times, education, the BBC, democracy, culture and history, libraries, free museums, women’s rights, the equality act, maternity rights….. the list is endless.

I live in the South West and even after 60 odd years my eyes are constantly popping out of my head at how beautiful everything is around here. I swim in the sea every day and look back at the beach, the cliffs, the hills and thank my lucky stars I live in such a stunning, friendly, safe part of the world.

Nope.

The utter hilarity of proving me right

The negative talk isn’t generally relating to the natural scenery.

USA?

Yes I was just thinking this. I live in an absolutely stunning part of North Yorkshire (No, it’s not “grim up north!”) and before opening up Mumsnet and finding this thread, I was looking out of the window and feeling very lucky to live where we do!
Edit: No idea why one pic has posted twice! 😆

I despair over the rise in racism here; it’s quite alarming how openly people wish harm on anyone not like them.

But I think the UK has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and it’s all so accessible.

The west coasts of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and their islands, are my personal favourites.

I feel very fortunate to live here for that reason, but the racism, and lack of empathy for other humans is making me feel increasingly like I don’t want to be here (although I know much of Europe, and definitely the USA is experiencing similar).

How is me disagreeing with you that people are negative about the UK proving your point?

Pretty much every water company ! Pumping shit into rivers, streams and the sea.

It’ll all be gone soon OP, people can see ‘plenty of green’ from a train window so they think we can build even more housing estates.

We are one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.

@lookatyougoaway , ignore the miseries that appear to have arrived!

You are right; it is easy to focus on the negatives and many do. It’s a bit like your health; you absolutely don’t appreciate it on a daily basis, and yet when it is gone one laments the laissez-faire attitude you once had to it.

With all the trials and tribulations of life (many at the moment in our age of uncertainty), it is easy to lose sight of what we DO have; very, very beautiful countryside that lifts the soul and gives a little thrill of joy and happiness. Life can always be worse.

Keep on enjoying it - appreciation, gratitude and joy in the natural world are things we would all do well to remember; it does no harm.

Have you as a white person lived in a country where the majority are not white?
You will experience racism off the scale….

The thing for me is i see a pitcher of place, and think wow stunning, when i get to said places i wonder if im at the right place, nothing like the pitcher at all and the locals and tourist, just act like cunts.

The difference is that historically the white people in question still had more power in those countries, like South Africa , but I suppose it depends on where you mean - but this is a massive derail .