Almeda you are one of those people guilty of viewing the past with rose tinted glasses. You want to re-live the REAL past or the "Little House on the Prairie" past?

You are welcome to your all white American "past" where you had slaves, civil war, prohibition, poverty from the depression, poor education, mafia rule, racism and segregation....

Can I just clarify that Alemda's description of zoning does not apply to the UK. If you want to grow fruit trees (or any other plant) ANYWHERE in the UK you are more than welcome and you do not need permission or to live in a special zone to keep chickens.

The land restrictions are of a positive benefit in the UK. For example they prevent development of important "green belts" and areas of outstanding beauty and countryside areas. They promote the building of new housing and industrial areas in "brown sites" (previously developed sites) and this scheme has benefited many inner cities - Manchester is a good example.

These restrictions also protect old and important buildings as planning permission can be refused if proposed developments are not in keeping with the original style of the building. "Listed" buildings have severe restrictions.

I would have thought such things would appeal to your old fashioned tastes .

OK, this thread is on the verge of developing a political thread. Sorry. So I will tell you an embarrassing story from one of my visits to Istanbul (I have many).

I was due to meet with a friend in the late afternoon but decided to go on a boat trip beforehand. This I did and I very much enjoyed it. I referred to my map as I was on the boat but seemed to lose my bearings. I didn't worry too much as I am in urgent need of having SatNav fitted to my brain, so I simply enjoyed the views.

My friend texted me to ask where we should meet and also suggested we take a boat trip. When we met I explained I had been up the Golden Horn but I wouldn't mind a trip on the Bosphrus, as it would be lovely in the evening and it would give us a chance to chat too.

Well we got on the boat and I soon realised that I was making the exact same trip. I finally admitted this to my friend, who had wondered if a new boat trip had been established when I mentioned the trip I had been on in the morning, but didn't like to question me about it. Anyway the evening scene was even more wonderful and I had my own personal tour guide.

This was not the first time I had been the wrong way. On two occasions I got on a bus going the wrong way and ended up in the middle of nowhere late at night. If it hadn't been for the helpful Turkish bus drivers making detours (huge ones)and calls from my mobile to my Turkish flat mates, I might still be there. But I was given the opportunity to pass these good deeds on. But the night I helped two unknown Turkish men push a car 500 metres along a slight upward incline, along a busy road between Davut Pasa station and the apartment I was staying in, is another story entirely.

And before you say anything AEnigma I began my last post immediately after the one I made prior to that, so I am referring to nothing you have said, only what I had put there myself.

No AEnigma I'm not scared. This is a harmless thread about celebrating Turkey not a boxing ring.

Mafia Rule

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1FgpBxXho4

Can we get back to the celebration thread now pretty please?

What i love about Turkey are...tulips,scent of tea...Istanbul barques and amount of hair gel on men's hair)))