h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here are some other things I was surprised to learn were not 'normal' out side of my home town (City) of Preston, Lancashire, England, UK, Earth

1. Parched Peas are not a global food stuff
2. Butter pies (great for vegetarians)also not global
3. Gravy with your chips at the chippy - ditto
4. Other towns don't have bus stations as big as ours, most just have a shed with spaces for 10 or 20 buses - big shock the first time I went to Liverpool !
5. God and the angles are invisble (they lied at school when they said they lived in the clouds - as a 5 year old when I flew for the first time I was very disappointed !)

What did you discover ?

Glad you mentioned Butter Pies! I have just moved from preston permanently (I think) and butter pies have been much on my mind. They are a fabulous treat, and you're right, they are vegetarian! I'm learning to make pies at the moment & when I've perfected the butter pie, I'll share with the group.

As for the bus station, you know it's going to be knocked down?! Originally, I thought they were going to 'unify' the transport system in preston. By having the bus and train station nearer than a mile apart! Sounded like a good idea to me... Anyway, they abandoned that and have opted for a new bus station near the existing one. Why bother? Tsh!

On the subject of things I was surprised to learn when I left Preston: I was amazed to find out that it wasn't just Preston that had too many greetings card shops! It's a global phenomenon! I found a hallmark cards shop in New Delhi in India! Near the Pizza Express and the Wimpy Burger Bar... What's the world coming to?!!

Just googled parched peas as I too grew up with them in Preston and we always ate them on bonfire night. I had some from the flag market recently and couldn't believe how good they tasted. I was surprised to discover on googling that they are a Preston delicacy and not known throughout the country. They don't know what they are missing. Butter pies are another of my faves. My Dad had a bakery off Plungington road and butter pies were one of his specialities. I remember vividly putting the knob of butter in the pies on a Saturday morning before the meat went into the pie case to make the meat and patato variety. Yum Yum. I bet it is over 20 years since I had a proper butter pie, probably when my dad retired and the bakery closed.