To Australians, English place names can be a little perplexing. I did not realise that until we were there.
In London we stayed in Sussex Gardens. It is not the name of suburb but a Paddington street.
We walked along Whitehall and lunched in a pub in Whitehall. Not Whitehall Street, Road or Place, just Whitehall.
The marvellous Gherkin building is to be found at number 30, St Mary Axe, (City of?) London. St Mary Axe? What kind of street name is that?
We changed trains at Embankment tube station. Not The Embankment, just Embankment.
One of London's very busy stations is Bank. Just Bank.
Monopoly players may remember Strand, a London street. How can it not be The Strand?
Just a quick list of what we have here; street, road, highway, crescent, close, court, drive, lane, rise, way, avenue, boulevard, esplanade and probably more. The only confusing one I have come across in Melbourne is Musswell Hill, a street in the suburb of Glen Iris. Do you have any local ones, or Australian ones to add that don't have the usual suffix?
NB tourists: In Melbourne you need to use the full name of the street you want. Fitzroy needs the appendage street if you mean the main street in St Kilda. Fitzroy is a suburb no where near St Kilda, however, there is also a Fitzroy Street in Fitzroy Street, so the correct phrase when asking directions is Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.
Hello Andrew:
ReplyDeleteWe can appreciate the confusion but having been brought up with it all it seems perfectly straight forward!!
Kellemes hétvégét.
JayLa, I am sure it is as mother's milk.
ReplyDeleteGeneva names its streets (rues and chemins, mostly) after famous people. Ours (Bouchet) is about the only one in our neighbourhood that isn't a full (usually deceased) person's name.
ReplyDeleteOk Kath. I am very ignorant about Geneva. I can add to my original knowledge that it has a lake, trams and street names after famous people.
DeleteI had never thought about how strange the names are to tourists. They are what they are and usually there is a fascinating history behind the name.
ReplyDeleteFun60, I am sure the tale behind every name is a history lesson.
DeleteAndrew, We do have some strange ways. Sometimes I'' look at a street sign and wonder why and how it got it's name.
ReplyDeleteI once saw what looked like a fairly run down street called something like Prospect Road.
Oh Andrew can I send you a link to my blog update as I've lost your e-mail.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/01908101242799869655
Hehe Deejohn. The prospects weren't so good for those living on Prospect Road.
DeleteNow haven't you been through the mill! I hope it goes ok for you this month.
Thanks for the heads up. If I ever go to London, I'll be sure to buy a street directory so that I can find my way around.
ReplyDeleteJust get an A-Z River, they're amazing!
DeleteAnd a tube map too River.
DeleteIn Japan most streets don't have names and only postal workers and couriers actually understand addresses. The rest of us have to use landmarks to get our bearings or give directions. That's why there are so many maps around towns.
ReplyDeleteWombat, I suppose that is why it was difficult for the women in Aomori to give you directions to the bar. Must be hard for taxi drivers too.
DeleteI used to live on a Circle.
ReplyDeleteBit unusual Fen, but I know of others here.
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