Britain bomb scares

[Sockmatcher]

There is a ongoing bomb scare in Exeter today. The last few days I've been feeling really twitchy.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11705592/Exeter-city-centre-closed-off-after-bomb-scare.html

I really wanted to take the children on a train journey to London this summer holiday. I know we shouldn't bow to terrorists by stopping plans but Im seriously feeling anxious right now. Anyone else?

Nope

I intend to live my life as I normally do.
More chance of being hit by a car crossing the road.

What do you mean by "mainland "?

I meant Engand. To much listening to news about IRA bombings in the past clearly on the mainland. Sorry to offend anyone.

I really am feeling a bit anxious. I find busy paces testing at best of times.

Places

Yeah, that's offensive. England is not the Mainland, just say Britain or England.

I've apologised Bridget. I'll ask MNHQ to amend to Britain after all we don't want to exclude anyone!

Mainland? Are you from Cornwall?

For goodness sake, the word mainland is hardly something to get het up about, its just a phrase.

Op, I have lived in London all my life and worked in central London for much of the time we were under threat from the IRA bombings, things can happen and sometimes bombings do happen but if you live your life worried about what might happen you can end up never leaving the house.

Nobody can say come to London it's safe, but the chances of you being here and an attack happening really are tiny.

I take a train to London every day for work. I intend to keep doing so.

Terms that annoy Irish people:

"mainland" = reference to the island of Britain from one in Ireland, suggesting that Ireland is subservient and inferior, and acknowledging Britain's dominance.

Yep, very annoying. As someone from an Irish background I find that mildly offensive.
Im not "het up" in the least, just think it's worth pointing out that that term can be offensive

Seriously repeatedly banging on when you've had an apology just isn't necessary.

Nancy75 I agree about never leaving the house if you live your life worried about things. Some days I don't but I try hard not to let the anxiety overcome me. I really have been trying to make sense of my concerns. I think it's because I'd be alone with two little ones in tourist areas. I worry i couldn't keep them both safe.
There are some lovely exhibitions I want to take them to though. Need to overcome this.

Funny as on the other thread people were saying go to Devon or Cornwall.... And today Exeter!

Sorry Sockmatcher, I was replying to Nancy.

Surely mainland would be the correct term - it distinguishes the main British island from places like the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, the Outer Hebrides, etc. which are all also part of Britain.

Ireland is a separate country with it's own islands, for which it would constitute the mainland.

An American/German person once asked me (in Scotland) something about the mainland, meaning continental Europe. I gave him a look.

Mainland is not the correct term for England if you're wanting to differentiate from Scotland, for the reason that there is no sea between them, you know.

I too lived through the London/City bombs, but just like every other time, we have to adapt by going about our daily lives/UK holidays and being more vigilant.

I have two grown up children working in potential target areas, and the only real concern I have is for the July 7th 'anniversary' - so if ANY day to stay at home/local rather than go into high profile target areas, that is the day to do it. IMO.

If ever a bomb, there is no 'Sophies Choice', if that is any consolation, which I doubt.

We have great security services, which to my mind is why they needed to attack us in soft holiday areas outside the UK - and I'd bear that in mind every day.

But mainland is the correct term if you are referring to the biggest island in Britain, which I think the OP was?

Also, that would be the correct term for the largest geographical area of Europe. Britain is just one island which is part of the continent of Europe.

"Ireland is a separate country with it's own islands, for which it would constitute the mainland."

Really, you try walking there from England. lol

If a terrorist looking to damage the 'will to live' of the UNITED Kingdom read all this rollocks, they won't bother, clearly the jobs done - its gonna get warmer and crankier folks.

When I lived in the Isle of Man, we referred to the bigger island with England, Scotland and Wales on it as 'the mainland'. More recently, I've heard of that particular landmass referred to, on television news and current affairs programmes, as 'mainland UK' and 'mainland Britain'.

I'd take it as referring to the bigger island/landmass, eg mainland Europe.

Never thought of it as superior/inferior, just size.

Has there been any further news about events in Exeter? The Beeb report I read included: "Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the suspect packages were suitcases but said at this stage they are not treating it as a terrorist incident."

Do they mean, no connection to a known terrorist organisation? (I find the idea of bombs/possible bombs left on public places not being terrorism a little baffling).

Yes I'm slightly anxious OP. And I generally have a very positive outlook! I know we shouldn't let it affect us, but it's hard not to. It doesn't affect DH, he doesn't worry about it. I still go into London, but I avoid the tube if I can. I'm not sure that London is necessarily more of a target than anywhere else though. The thing that worries me is that one (or possibly two?) gunman killed approaching 40 people, what damage would 5, or 10 gunmen do. Sorry, I'm not helping, but you aren't alone.

No Stella, they mean some prick forgot their luggage. Leftover bags spark bomb scares all the time.

""Ireland is a separate country with it's own islands, for which it would constitute the mainland."

Really, you try walking there from England. lol"

Heh?

It says a suitcase with wires protruding attached to railings.

Doesn't sound that much like forgotten luggage!

(No info on the other one, so perhaps that one is a forgotten/dumped item)

Britain is not the "mainland" where Ireland is concerned, that is what op was referring to, not in a derogatory way or anything, I was just pointing out that in that context it can be offensive.
I agree with regards the likes of The Scilly Isles and IoW that the term mainland is appropriate