[Growltiger]

Well, lots of things to respond to here.

1 Well, it is probably true that the British Royal Family has got a rather mixed bag of genes, but then they have spent so long inter marrying with the other European royal families that it is not surprising, and whatever state they are in now, it is not anywhere near as bad as the inbreeding found in the southern states of the US (and I include Texas in that grouping);

2 Us Brits have the reputation of being the alcoholics of Europe so I can assure you that double shots of tequila (or whisky in our case) is not a problem;

3 I take the point on US micro-breweries. I have supped some fine ales from those in the US recently. I will qualify my general comment by referring to "mass produced American beers";

4 Raging Deadstar - the rules on this forum would not let me comment on the restricted gene pool that is Cumbria, and in particular the amount of sheep DNA prevalent in said gene pool. Most people from Cumbria I know have intimate knowledge of who their grandsires and great grandsires are, and most of them are the same person (or sheep). It is enough to make even a Texan blush; and

5 please do not let Mac near the FBWs. The laundry bill from last time was horrible, and most of the FBw's were scarred for life. The smell didn't leave for months!

PS Why you inbred, blue-blooded, pasty-faced, bucked-tooth, big-eared, hang-dog faced varmint

In response,

"inbred"? absolutely not

"Blue blooded"? again, no royalty here although the option of boffing a princess would not be turned down (provided she was pretty with all her own teeth and with a trust fund)

"pasty faced"? nope, got a tan from Mallorca

"bucked toothed"? nope, I may be fat, ugly and bald but my dental work and hearing and eyesight is tip top

"Big eared"? nope, they are normal (if deaf)

"hang dog faced varmint"? nope, I am a happy soul and not a rodent at all