The only place I've seen a No Work Boots sign here was in the cafe/bar on the InterIsland Ferry. My youngest brother, who had just been fighting a forest fire removed his boots at the door and the staff were so surprised that he did that he got his meal free ( apparently everyone else ignored the sign) .
Such signs are not uncommon here, though I haven't been into a pub or restaurant since last year. There's no prejudice involved AFAICS - just an understandable desire to keep the floors reasonably clean (or easy to clean).
(Full marks to @Huia's brother - clearly a man with a concern for the well-being of others! I bet he enjoyed his free meal... )
Quite a few of the New Age Travellers I knew in the 1990s went to Ireland, where they found it rather easier to live their chosen lifestyle. One New Age Traveller I knew went on to become a librarian locally, and moved into a flat.
I was musing recently about how it would be nice if people in general had the option to become nomads for a season, whether they were younger or older, and there were thousands of open campsites all over the country (or the right to camp on common ground for a time) to facilitate this.
Then I remember that that's exactly what we used to have, until it was taken away from us.
Such signs are not uncommon here, though I haven't been into a pub or restaurant since last year. There's no prejudice involved AFAICS - just an understandable desire to keep the floors reasonably clean (or easy to clean).
(Full marks to @Huia's brother - clearly a man with a concern for the well-being of others! I bet he enjoyed his free meal... )
I've only really seen signs about removing boots in rural areas where they're aimed at hikers who may well have been walking through mud.
There are traveller communities in several locations in the county, especially a bit further north. Socially they are quite conservative, and tend to view "officialdom" with some (justified) suspicion.
There is also a site close to us which is the winter quarters for a fair.
I was musing recently about how it would be nice if people in general had the option to become nomads for a season, whether they were younger or older, and there were thousands of open campsites all over the country (or the right to camp on common ground for a time) to facilitate this.
Then I remember that that's exactly what we used to have, until it was taken away from us.
The older generation here now has the name of Grey Nomads. Many buy camper-vans, some at amazing prices, and go travelling. North for winter, south for summer, staying in camping grounds etc.
I wonder if they're the same folk who, as students in the late 60s, used to line up their psychedelically-hued VW campers for sale on London's South Bank?
Depending on how urgently they needed to get back Down Under, you could buy a classic (even then!) VW for a few shillings...
Today, of course, they'd be arrested, and put in a holding camp for migrants...
I was musing recently about how it would be nice if people in general had the option to become nomads for a season, whether they were younger or older, and there were thousands of open campsites all over the country (or the right to camp on common ground for a time) to facilitate this.
Then I remember that that's exactly what we used to have, until it was taken away from us.
@Bishops Finger is probably more clued up, but I believe British Waterways (now Canal and Rivers Trust) have clamped down on unofficial moorings in recent years
@Bishops Finger is probably more clued up, but I believe British Waterways (now Canal and Rivers Trust) have clamped down on unofficial moorings in recent years
AIUI, the clamp-down has been on people who have not been travelling. You are permitted to moor on much of the length of the canal network - you just can't set up home there. If you want to be a "nomad" then this isn't a problem for you, because you won't want to stay in one place, but if you want a permanent / long-term mooring, you have to pay for one - you can't just lay claim to a spot of canal-bank.
Yes, that is so. Residential moorings are often a deal more expensive than any boat you might want to park there!
I happen to live on a stretch of water NOT under the jurisdiction of British Waterways/CRT, but the mooring of the Ark is an official residential berth, recognised by the local authority (and therefore subject to Council Tax).
Comments
(Full marks to @Huia's brother - clearly a man with a concern for the well-being of others! I bet he enjoyed his free meal...
Then I remember that that's exactly what we used to have, until it was taken away from us.
I've only really seen signs about removing boots in rural areas where they're aimed at hikers who may well have been walking through mud.
There are traveller communities in several locations in the county, especially a bit further north. Socially they are quite conservative, and tend to view "officialdom" with some (justified) suspicion.
There is also a site close to us which is the winter quarters for a fair.
They were walking down the street, past the bus that I was sat in waiting to go home.
I was shocked rigid to hear the abuse directed at them, through the window and amongst themselves, from my fellow travellers.
Adult child had headphones in, not that it would have bothered them one jot!
But..........
So yes.
To hear that a Tory minister held those views? Not at all surprised. But sad.
The older generation here now has the name of Grey Nomads. Many buy camper-vans, some at amazing prices, and go travelling. North for winter, south for summer, staying in camping grounds etc.
I wonder if they're the same folk who, as students in the late 60s, used to line up their psychedelically-hued VW campers for sale on London's South Bank?
Depending on how urgently they needed to get back Down Under, you could buy a classic (even then!) VW for a few shillings...
Today, of course, they'd be arrested, and put in a holding camp for migrants...
Not if they're white, generally.
There's always the canals.
AIUI, the clamp-down has been on people who have not been travelling. You are permitted to moor on much of the length of the canal network - you just can't set up home there. If you want to be a "nomad" then this isn't a problem for you, because you won't want to stay in one place, but if you want a permanent / long-term mooring, you have to pay for one - you can't just lay claim to a spot of canal-bank.
I happen to live on a stretch of water NOT under the jurisdiction of British Waterways/CRT, but the mooring of the Ark is an official residential berth, recognised by the local authority (and therefore subject to Council Tax).
Why on earth would I want to do that?
I'm sorry if you thought I was addressing you specifically.
(Obviously, I wasn't.)