My Mom Visited England: Here's What Happened

[@joepollard9476]

Christmas puddings vary considerably, both in content and quality. The same applies to mince pies. Love them both.

[@stevegee7593]

Some times it takes foreign eyes to show us the beauty of our own country. Glad you had a good visit with you Mum.

[@letun100]

Well, only naive silly foreign can see something in UK .... In real life it is animals and mud....

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

On the whole 'jam vs cream' debate, speaking as a gannet, hear my word. Cream is structural. You can build walls with clotted cream, making a reservoir in which an ocean of jam can be scooped. You can't do that the other way round, so put cream first and allow gluttony to get the better of you. Simples, QED!

[@eadweard.]

Excellent point.

[@mdx7460]

But jam is a spread. To me it would feel like putting making a sandwich and putting butter on top of your ham.

[@revbenf6870]

Oh, who really cares? It tastes the same any old hoo!! It is much more important how you pronounce scone. 🤭

[@elizabethw.454]

@@revbenf6870 which is correct? 🤔

[@MrJoeshipley]

@@elizabethw.454 Scone, obviously

[@fionagregory9147]

Thanks for calling her MUM. That is much better than the other word.

[@waylandtbadger]

You mean MOM, the word that we use in England?

[@richinleam]

@@waylandtbadger Really......... maybe a regional thing but I only ever hear Mum or Mam (if you're from the North East) never head Mom used much.

[@waylandtbadger]

@@richinleam - standard usage in the Midlands, people who say “mum” get laughed at, as it sounds fake/ put on.

[@richinleam]

@@waylandtbadger not in the part of the Midlands I'm from. Mum all the way.

[@waylandtbadger]

@@richinleam - which bit is that? Not Birmingham, Black Country or Coventry.

[@Reubinv]

That restaurant was something out of a christmas movie

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

It really felt like that! 😂

[@dropperknot]

That gorgeous smile of yours could have melted all the snow in Kent. Glad you gave mum a lovely trip.

[@letun100]

Lovely trip ? Why inhabitants run from this beauty country☺️seems soon only government and king continue to live well , any body remember what is money in UK?😆😆😆😆

[@brianhodgson9547]

6:02 it was the Dowager 'house' for Queens of England

[@CraigPaulWilson]

I'm totally here for the candy cane mic 😂 Hope you had a great Xmas Alanna, looks like you had a great time with your mum!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you! We had a great time! ☺️ Merry Christmas!

[@audreysamuels5075]

Leeds castle has lots of concerts in the grounds in summer.

[@cindyluwho602003]

I always wanted to go to Britain at Christmas, so this was the next best thing! So glad you & your mom enjoyed yourselves....she must be so proud of you!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!! ☺️🎄

[@luciedavis503]

Writing from the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. This visit with your mum was delightful! Tea in Rochester looked the best! And at Christmas!! Traipsing through the beautifully decorated castle rooms - so elegant on a sunny day! But knowing I’ll never see the foregoing or the cathedral has brought me to tears which the singing reindeer dried! So much beauty and history!! Thank you for your videos!!

[@letun100]

Never see chatedral ? You are in prison ? You can move there right now and don't surprise if you be disappointed ....

[@brianhodgson9547]

2:25 zooming past Rochester NOW on the train

[@Colin-to1nv]

That's my home county too, Kent, and fantastic sites you visited. Canterbury Cathedral has another function you may not have thought of: it was my university city in the 90s, and the graduation ceremonies take place in the cathedral, we entering and leaving via the main doors of the cathedral.

[@abarratt8869]

Chefs like phrases such as "I ate so much I nearly rolled down the stairs". Mission accomplished! Glad you had a nice time :)

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

😂 Thank you!

[@blossngc]

Oh, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce is lovely, although i have a soft spot for brandy snaps with brandy cream piped in them too. (Im sure the brandy isnt a theme) and im with you on the salt and pepper pots. I collect them

[@N00j0b]

It sounds like you had a really great time! I'm sure your mother really enjoyed every minute. Take lots of photos with your mum because one day she'll be gone and the pics will help your memory.

[@NickLangleyMusic]

Hi Alanna. I really enjoyed that. Don't apologise for finding the Christmas break difficult; most people who find themselves on their own, for whatever reason, really struggle at this time of year so you're not alone. X

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻

[@RobG001]

On her own? she lives with her partner, he is the reason she moved over here, no sure why but she does not often mention him.

[@CraigPaulWilson]

@@RobG001 presumably Mr Naps likes his privacy, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[@stevanblacklock2671]

So glad your mom enjoyed her visit 🤗 another Canadian here in the UK 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 (grew up in Hamilton, ON, but dual citizen). Just wanted to stop by and say I love your videos. I'm so glad you're happy here. Keep up the fantastic videos !

[@MultiFlight123]

Sitting in a cold house watching this.... it's like I was there with you!

[@geofffitchett1147]

I really like your educational approach to these videos. And how hilariously relentless your commentary is. Mince pies or Christmas puds? Don't like either. Never been to Leeds Castle. Been to Leeds a few times though, plus we have a castle here in Shrewsbury. We have a library, though it's also a home office and there are more CDs and DVDs on the shelves than books. Stoll lots of books actually. Nice hat, sorry about the snow and the trains.

[@Peter-mw3wj]

If Leeds castle was build on that date then it’s older than the Aztec Empire.

[@Duncan23]

It's basically twice as old as the fall of the aztec empire

[@steveforster9764]

British born Canadian (Northumberland) my mom came and stayed with us on Vancouver Island her version of Canada was Rose Marie Red Coated Mounties led by Howad Keel.Most disappointed when I showed her regular Mounties . Over all she loved it made easy as Victoria is the most English city in Canada. My Canadian wife found the UK the same loved British food

[@thecockerel86]

You know you're growing old when you aren't sure which year it is. Happy new year, Alanna!

[@BeatrixGroves]

Ooooo! I (and my American wife) have been to Rochester many times. Always loved the place.

[@clairesouter7116]

I love a cathedral. So thankful that we have so many amazing examples in this country.

[@jonathanbignall1198]

Glad you and your mum had a nice time. There's something special about sharing experiences like that.

[@tonyeden2944]

Alanna, Did I miss the family photos? I would have loved to see some.

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

Alanna, I am so pleased to hear your Mum had a lovely time on her visit to England. You used your local knowledge to enjoy the places most people who are born here don't blink an eye at. We are exposed to it as kids and our memories are usually intertwined with hours walking around the places as bored school kids. Taking time away from the Internet is a wise thing; young people don't tend to do much. As with many things with our parents, you must treasure the moments you have. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Alanna.

[@tichburyfan]

I used to be a member of a 12th century living history group as a Benedictine monk. Speaking to visitors at events all over England, it became obvious that they all thought of medieval people as somehow less intelligent or skilled than modern humans. My response was always: "Who do you know with the skill and intelligence to build Rochester cathedral, Canterbury cathedral or Westminster abbey today?" Well done for appreciating that huge building project, which can never be equalled.

[@nigelanscombe8658]

Alas, you can’t say Fred Dibnah anymore. 😕 However thanks to the likes of him, and his various TV series, his viewers have an insight into how such places, Cathedrals and castles, were built. 🙂

[@clive_the_fat_cat]

The Tudor rose society

[@keithygadget381]

Leeds Castle is stunning in the Spring and Summer months. They also do a Segway tour of the surrounding grounds, that’s a fun day. And for the adventurous, ‘Go Ape’, which is tree top fun (very tall trees mind!)

[@toddstevens8506]

Absolutely beautiful castle, though it reminds me of why my people left England.

[@greyman3515]

Looks like you and your mum enjoyed Christmas. You look and sound refreshed and happy. Thanks for the tour. So much history in the UK. 🎄🍻

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much! Merry Christmas!!

[@keithwilliams1243]

As a retired British chef and pastry chef I can tell you that although most catering outlets use ccomercial ready made christmas puddings which are horrible when you make them yourself using a really good recipie they are delicious flamed with brandy and served with lightly whipped double cream.

[@nightowl5395]

There was so much to enjoy in this video, Alanna, and the presention style was just great... (loving the candy cane mic and your favourite hat too 😊) I am so pleased to know you had special mother and daughter time this year; you must have loved showing her two of your favourite towns and visiting such beautiful buildings - I share your enthusiasm for the stained glass - and she certainly was lucky with the ground-snow and blue sky combination! I hope you show her - or she sees from here - just how much we all love your videos and your engaging personality 🤗💜

[@LonKirk]

I prefer Christmas pudding, but I love both.

[@chrissmith2114]

Full English breakfast and full English afternoon tea = absolute heaven...

[@janiceturton7756]

so glad you had such a lovely time with your mum xx

[@howardkey1639]

Hey Alanna, I'm so glad your Mum had a great visit & you both had a good time together. Hopefully it won't be too long before she can visit again and you can take her more places. Also nice to see the candy cane mike return, it's been a while since it was used last. 😊

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!

[@loanokaharbor8303]

Happy Holidays Alanna and Family! ❤🌲❄️ You saved the Holidays by renting a car and sharing your lovely part of England and having an adventure with your Mom!👍 Best wishes for fun, happy and healthy adventures and naps for you all in 2023😊!

[@Quaker521]

Glad to hear that your Mum had a great time. Merry Christmas Alanna.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks! Merry Christmas!

[@suzanneantippas8420]

What a beautiful tour in this episode! Literally, on a beautiful day, you took us to beautiful buildings with staggeringly beautiful interiors and we even saw lots of beautiful food, thank you!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️

[@peterbrazier7107]

Here in Thanet, I think we had a small flurry of snow, we get less snow than the rest of Kent, let alone the rest of Britain.

[@Hydraas]

Very happy for you and your mum that she had a good trip

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you! ☺️

[@darrentremblay129]

If it gets to cold in the U.k I have warm cuddles here in Toronto for you 💝

[@englandcalling9721]

Takes me back, I saw Elton John in concert at Leeds Castle, heaven knows how many years ago. Hot mince pies can be enjoyed sober, while Christmas Pud tastes better when you're very much not sober. Delighted, your mum enjoyed her visit, and you both had fun. It's not always easy at this time of year, and I so respect your honesty. Take care.

[@mickstaplehurst8471]

Christmas Pudding for ever! Brandy butter on warm Christmas pudding is something one grows into over the years....

[@sailingby]

Christmas pudding ☃️ but needs to be a good quality one Leeds Castle looks lovely - never been - will defo go now. I was in Canterbury on Christmas Day - nice place! Love stained glass - there are courses available where they teach you to make your own - very cool when you think that your work may still be appreciated in hundreds of years time

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahh Canterbury on Christmas Day, how cool! Hope you had a great time 🙏🏻

[@sailingby]

@@AdventuresAndNaps thanks, a good time was had by all ☃️

[@DavidJCane]

That the snow came down so quickly (four inches in a couple of hours) and lasted for a week was pretty rare for Kent.

[@juliewatts2117]

The weekend after Thanksgiving Monday (yes I'm a Canuck) my dad would start making Christmas Puddings and my Mum would start making mincemeat. So we had both and I would eat the jam tarts. Cause I don't like either. I hope your Mum has made it safely back to Ontario. It is minus 15C today in the Niagara Region, but the sun is shining. Have a happy and prosperous new year. 🎉

[@lesliejohnstanynought2985]

Hi Alanna, good to hear you had a good time with mom, will have to come back in the summer, if we get one also well done for lasting 7 years Cheers

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much! Merry Christmas!

[@SteveMikre44]

Love the green screen! Thank you for sharing part of your Mom's (Mum) visit with us...

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for watching!!

[@Simian-bz7zo]

Christmas pudding, with lashings of brandy cream. No contest. I actually stock up on Christmas puddings as soon as they go on sale after Christmas, so I can eat them through the year.

[@suzettewilliams1758]

I recommend Norwich, two Cathedrals and a Castle, plus lots of medieval churches

[@dropperknot]

My, you have a gorgeous smile. All you needed to do, was to stand amid the trees and smile and all the snow would melt.

[@robertknight2556]

So so so lovely to have a snap of your mom during this whole video......she was actually there, right?

[@GemDotThirteen]

I'm not religious but I do like a cathedral! Definitely been to some beautiful ones on my travels but I don't remember ever going to Canterbury's 🤔 I have been to Leeds Castle though, albeit quite a few years ago now! Glad your mums visit went well & you had a great week together 😄 I'll stick to Christmas yule log, everyone else can have all the mince pies/xmas pudding/xmas cake lol

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Cheers Gem!! ☺️ Definitely gonna go back to Leeds to see it in the summer, as long as I don't lose my ticket by then lol

[@hairyairey]

Used to be the case that the sight of a Cathedral would make someone believe in God, now they are pictures on placemats! (not original, came from a BBC show)

[@tonys1636]

@@hairyairey Sounds like heard on Qi.

[@Leocoz82]

I'm not religious but the architecture of cathedrals are awe inspiring. I visited a couple while in Italy and I was in complete awe.

[@hairyairey]

@@Leocoz82 the Sagrada Familia is fascinating. Not just as a building but the Mathematics involved. Gaudi was clearly on the autistic spectrum. We might see his vision completed soon, but it's taken 3D printing to do some of it.

[@clairemorash2547]

Canadian here. I have been to Leeds Castle when I was visiting my niece who lives in Kent. Also, I love both mince pies and Christmas pudding!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Very cool!

[@garypltn69]

that restaurant in Rochester looks very cool I bet your mom loved that.

[@harrybarrow6222]

I love your videos, Alanna. I love your sense of humour and I love your smile. I lived in California for 14 years, and one thing I really missed was the history (200 years is nothing 😄). It is fantastic to live near wonderful centuries-old gothic cathedrals, and to imagine how they were built without mechanisation. The cranes to lift the stones were human-powered by men walking in treadmills. Stonemasons were incredibly skilled craftsmen who had spent years as apprentices. Look for mason’s marks on the stones. And look at the gargoyles. Gargoyles are high up rain spouts. They were often carved as faces, sometimes caricatures of people the mason knew (and had an opinion about 😁 ) Building the cathedral took several lifetimes. A real labour of devotion. Keep making your videos, please, Alanna. 🙂

[@michaeldillon3113]

Your mum must be very proud of her super confident, funny, adventurous daughter . Seems like you had a great time . 🇬🇧✌️🇨🇦

[@hughtube5154]

If you have single pane windows and a large heating bill try taping bubble wrap to the glass. The bubbles catch the daylight and heat up, stopping the heat leaving through the window.

[@robertlangley1664]

Yes we are very lucky in this country to have all theses beautiful Cathedrals and Churches

[@shaunw9270]

Wow , that reminds me ...I love Christmas pudding but haven't eaten any in donkeys years ,as none of my family or friends like it ! 🤦😅

[@richardlee3235]

Yesssssss cream first.Your a born again devon girl

[@TheSebiestor]

Cream first on scones is Cornish, jam first on scones is Devonish

[@dinerouk]

Glad you had a lovely time with Mom and are as lively and lovely as ever. Pete

[@simonbaker5972]

Glad you got to spend time with your mum. Absolutely love Christmas pudding. But only at Christmas! Same for Turkey. Anything else would be sacrilege! 🤣

[@davec4955]

Love that you still say any who as opposed to anyhow 😘

[@my__socrates__note]

Had my new English Heritage card in the post the other week.. can't wait!

[@carldarbyshire4]

Aww, so happy for you that you got to see your mum and that your mum had a lovely time. 🤗

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I was so grateful to share England with her! ☺️

[@chipsthedog1]

Wow Alanna really committed to that candy cane Mike and I absolutely love it. Happy New Year Alanna & everyone else!

[@suchanhachan]

True what you say about the Holidays. I'm an American who's lived here in Japan longer than I'd care to admit, but as I discover every year around this time the Holidays can still get to me...

[@fredMplanenut]

I am glad that your Mother's visit was successful one, though cool.

[@dann756]

British food gets a bad name, for a lot I can understand.. I get it! I'm from Bath, England but live in Arizona, my girlfriends Colombian, she visited and we went to a British afternoon tea place with lots of cakes and sandwiches. (yes, there's one in Phoenix!) The one thing that sat on my mind was the clip from Jurassic park 1 where the blonde girl is eating. She was completely determined like she just came back from a warzone. I've never seen a human eat with such enthusiasm. Tea and cake with cucumber sandwiches is possibly the most comforting but dangerous combination

[@ahoughton]

Another great video! Glad you and your Mum had a nice time even if it was freeeeeeeeeeeeezing!

[@janetbrockbank323]

I’ve never been a fan of Xmas pudding but my dad bless him absolutely loved them on Christmas Day x

[@Rjhs001]

A good pie with gravy and veg on a winter's day...what a treat. So glad you and your mum had a fabulous time Alanna and may I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year. Good to see Yorkshire Tea being featured again...not that I'm biased 😁😁😁

[@wendyprice7731]

Hi Alanna! Thank you for the little trip around Rochester - my old stomping ground! I used to walk through The Vines Gardens every day to go to work in what was the Civic Centre in Strood, just across the bridge! My Dad and Stepmum lived in Canterbury for many years and my Stepmum was one of the people who 'signed' services for the deaf :-) I've been to Leeds Castle, but only once so I loved seeing inside there again - they scrub the place up well for Christmas!! :-) Agree totally about Christmas pudding - better left! Love a mince pie though and you totally eat your scones the right way - cream first! Loved this nostalgia trip - thank you again! x

[@Bluedex2011]

Rochester looks super historic and picturesque - must visit someday. Sounds like your Mom had an awesome time in the UK

[@richardpalmer7640]

Hi Alanna love ❤️ your beeming smile thank you so much for the tour around that Beautiful castle 🏰 and nice bobble hat and talking through a candy cane instead of a microphone 🎤 very enjoyable happy new year Alanna ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@smavtmb2196]

So glad you had a Wonderful Christmas visiting with your mom. Thanks for the tour. You are hilarious and it was so adorable how your eyes opened wide when you declared "I want them I need them" referring to the Dachshund butter dish and hedge hog Salt and pepper shakers. " You don't understand I need these things" You are so endearing I wish you all the best in 2023 from Vancouver BC. Take Care

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.🎅

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

🙏🏻

[@nmh83]

Hey, happy new year! Rochester is an odd one, it’s a gorgeous little place and I’m sure it’s technically a city as opposed to town as it’s home to a cathedral 👍🏻 Great video!

[@davidrenton]

Rochester used to be a city till 1998, due to a merger of government districts, and an oversight it lost it's city status and didn't realize till 4 years later , it's been trying since to get back it's city status.Tom Scott did a video on it

[@johnwilson3918]

Anyhoo is this mad Canadian? Thank you for sharing your thoughts and video on your trip to Leeds Castle. You know what? You should be sponsored. Your image of the pie and potatoes left me hungry.

[@malcolmross8427]

Christmas pudding for me, warm with brandy sauce!

[@wilmaknickersfit]

Except I'll have ice-cream, not the sauce!

[@frogandspanner]

4:25 I enjoy home-made Christmas pudding with home made vanilla and vodka ice cream (with a dash of ouzo), or orange segments with home made chocolate and Cointreau ice cream.

[@michaels640]

Bless…. you write it ‘mom’ and call her ‘mum’ 💕 . You ARE British! Always love your stuff…

[@olienajh]

I went to Canterbury one Sunday morning. Walking around the quadrangle at the cathedral I heard the choir practicing for the Sunday service. OMG!! It was the most beautiful sound I had heard in ages. Rochester, Canterbury & Leeds Castle are definitely some of the better places to visit in Kent. There’s loads more stuff to see though.

[@rbrooks2007]

What a truly lovely and endearing video. I think if you watch the British film The Holly and The Ivy then you'll get an insight into how some families run at Christmas.

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

Love that you’re saying mum and not mom.

[@Psmith-ek5hq]

At 12:01, I was saddened to hear that Alanna is still frigid. Poor girl. And even worse for her partner.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Love the hat!!! lol I like the pudding, with Custard. Hedgehogs look cute! Cragside is for you, contact the estate agent. A nice estate that had the first hydroelectric power station. It's still working today. No elec bills. In fact, they leave the heating on high all the time!

[@LeicesterGuy123]

Yorkshire Gold does make a banging cuppa! As a slightly lighter alternative that's also lovely, try M&S English Breakfast (in a bright yellow box). Anyhoo, I'm glad to hear your Mum enjoyed her visit and I hope you both had a lovely Christmas ☺️

[@soullageorgiou4596]

Next time you're back in Canada, take your mum to have afternoon tea at The Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara on the Lake. You'll both love it there! I hope you made some amazing memories together ❤️

[@grantparman4705]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you from the USA!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!!

[@grantparman4705]

@@AdventuresAndNaps 🎄 🙂

[@nicholasmaycock267]

Lived in Maidstone area for 12 years or so in 60's and early 70's before moving to Scotland and never visited Leeds Castle, though passed by on many occasions. Passed by 6 or 7 years ago, and decided on spur of moment to visit it. Enjoyed it very much. Didn't realise just how large and interesting it was.

[@marynagaraeva505]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Alanna and your family!🎄❄☃️🎅 It sounds great you had fun and fantastic time with your mum! May 2023 bring happiness and new friends, success and good health! May new adventures creat great emotions and joy and all your dreams come true!🤗💝🎉🎊

[@tonywatson7988]

I went to school in Canterbury but I don't think I've been back since and I'm eighty now so it's been a while. Maybe I'll soon be due a visit now you've reconnoitred for me. Thanks for doing that. By the way what's better than one Alanna? The answer: two Alannas as in much of this ground-breaking video: bring it on I say. Very glad you and your mom had a good time in spite of freezing almost to death. My heart sunk at the beginning as I waited for the catalogue of disasters that would end with her declaring 'Never again' so it's a bit of a relief that you seem to have managed cunningly to avoid most of the predictable calamities of winter sight-seeing in England!

[@tonyeden2944]

Alanna, tell us about the lollipop!

[@jonathanspence8642]

I know that you are unlikely to get to Liverpool, it's up north. But we do still build cathedrals. Two were built in Liverpool. One modern, RC and one gothic, CoE. As you said, people still have a use for such buildings.