1. On Good Friday in 1930, the BBC reported, “There is no news.” Instead, they played piano music. (They were probably all gathered around the water cooler).
  2. In England, in pubs or bars, you can have drinks but you are not allowed to get drunk and in Scotland you are on the wrong side of the law if you are drunk and in possession of a cow. (So, perhaps safer to drink water, but watch out for that bovine companion).
  3. In London, the tube route from Leicester Square to Covent Garden is the most popular tube route for tourists despite the fact that it is actually quicker to cover this distance on foot. (Remember to drink your water on this trip).
  4. The 409 escalators in the London subway cover a distance every week which is approximately equivalent to several trips around the globe. (Again, even if you’re only using a few of these escalators, drink your water).
  5. The Queen of England, who once enjoyed extensive powers and authority over almost the whole world and despite all her present majesty and glory, is not allowed to enter the House of Commons simply because she is not its member. She may only enter the House of Lords.
  6. In medieval England even animals were tried in royal courts and punished for damages they inflicted on people or their properties. (That poor cow has a right to its beef!).
  7. In the Great Fire of London that wreaked havoc on the city and necessitated massive reconstruction work, the casualty count was only eight. (Imagine if all the premises had had water coolers on site).
  8. The English drink more tea than any person of any other nation (over twenty times more than Americans).
  9. Did you know that London has had many names in the past? It was called Londonium during the Roman Invasion, Ludenwic in Saxon times and Ludenburg during the kingdom of Alfred the Great.
  10. The treasures contained in the British Museum span two million years of world civilization. (Hmm, gem encrusted water bottle, anyone?)
  11. Did you know that the River Thames, which flows through London, has over 200 bridges and 20 tunnels? (Lots of water there, but I doubt that I’d be drinking it).