That happy situation quickly became evident during a two-week visit to Wales and England in March.
Whether it stays that way depends largely on the British pound. It's about $1.67 Canadian, and was much lower in March.
I recall buying pounds last year at $2, thinking it was a bargain. But, then, I can also remember being over there in 1970s when it was around $2.75.
In those days, I thought twice about popping into the pub for a pint. In March, I spent a lot of time in pubs. But it was to eat, not just hoist a few.
Times are tough in Britain. The recession hit harder and has lasted longer than here.
So to get people in the door, pubs are pitching specials. Signs touting "a burger and a beer'' for #5 or less are common. Don't fancy a burger? Some offer a curry instead. Don't like beer? They'll substitute wine, a soft drink or fruit juice.
Dishing up good food at prices restaurants have trouble matching works, too.
A vegetarian main course my wife had at the Dragon Bar, a pub-style place in Hastings, was her best meal of the whole trip. It cost #11, about 18.40. I had a thin-crust pizza (#10), and even after splurging on two glasses wine and two bottles of imported beer, the bill was only #40 ($67). And that included a whopping 17.5% sales tax.
Buying in retail stores helped keep the drinks budget under control. A decent New Zealand sauvignon blanc in Marks and Spencer was #6.04 ($10.10). The neighborhood Londis, a chain convenience store, had beer on special. Four 500-ml cans of Fosters lager cost #3.40 (5.70), not much more than a pub charged for one pint.
More prices and money-saving tips:
Getting around A Visitor Oyster Card makes using the London Underground much simpler. You touch the card to a yellow reader at the start and end of a journey and it correctly calculates the fare. We travelled to and from central London and Heathrow Airport with cards pre-loaded with #10 each, and had a bit left over. Visit www.visitbritainshop.com/canada.
Hotel Hoppa provides transportation between Heathrow and several airport hotels for #8 return.
Gasoline is nearly twice what it is at home but the gap used to be much greater. I paid #1.16 per litre ($1.95).
Sightseeing If your trip will include several historic sites, consider buying a one-year membership in organizations such as English Heritage. We visited two of their more than 400 sites, Dover Castle, and Battle Abbey. The senior fee at the castle was #11.40 ($19), at the abbey #6 (10). A one-year membership for two seniors (60 plus) was #52.50 ($88). Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/membership.
Accommodations Our Heathrow airport hotel was #65 plus tax ($110), about half what some modest hotels in central London charge and considerably more comfortable. But watch for the extras: a local phone call was #2.30 ($3.85), and don't even think of having breakfast in one of these places -- even the airport is cheaper.
Miscellaneous A stamp to mail a postcard to Canada cost 62 pence ($1.05). Be careful buying stamps. Some are valid only for mail within Britain.
Some hotels really gouge for e-mail access. The local library usually charges little, if anything. Or ask around. When a convenience store clerk in Hastings suggested I try a pub called the Pig in Paradise, I couldn't resist. The keyboard felt as though the odd drink had been sloshed on it but the price was right, #1 for an hour. I treated myself to a pint, and the bartender treated me to a second hour on the keyboard on the house.
Doug English can be reached at denglishtravel@gmail.com or by mail c/o London Free Press, P.O.E. Box 2280, London, Ont. N6A 4G1.
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