Great Britain

England is not a particularly cold country, maybe a little humid and sometimes windy. The average temperatures in Scotland are 1-2 degrees lower than in London. The rainiest months are August, November and December, the least rainy is March.

For weather information and forecast ring ++44 - 20 - 7246 8091.

Britain is an hour behind Western Europe's time. British Summer Time (BST) starts in late March and ends in late October.

UK MEASUREMENTS

Although slowly and by overcoming psychological obstacles, Great Britain is conforming to European regulations. All measurements are now expressed in the decimal metric system, except road signs which are still in miles. If you are coming from a country using the metric system, a simple way to convert miles into kilometres consists in multiplying the number of miles by 8 and then divide the result by 5. Other simple, mental conversions that don't require to rush for a conversion table book: a pound is a little less than half a kilo, a pint a bit less than half a litre, and a gallon 4 and a half litres. An inch is 2 and a half centimetres, a foot 30 centimetres.

UK VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS

The electricity supply voltage is now standardised for all the European Union. The most common voltage for electrical equipment in the UK is 230v, 50 cycles. Electrical appliances rated at 230V or 240V will work normally. Equipment rated at 220V may function, but it's probably better to ask the manufacturer first. The standard plug in the UK is a three pin model.

What is necessary is a three square-pronged adapter plug and/or an electric converter for appliances, and they can be purchased in Britain. It's easy to find converters for models used in the rest of Europe and the American continent.

For American visitors: if you buy a video tape, it must be NTSC (and not PAL), because NTCS is designed for the American systems.

If you travel with a portable computer, it's not difficult to find a hotel with a modem link.

UK MEDICAL CARE

Free medical care in Britain is not for everyone. The only people fully covered by Britain's National Health Service (NHS) are nationals of the European Economic Area. That means the 15 countries of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom), plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Visitors to the UK from other countries are not entitled to free medical treatment, except emergency treatment in the Accident and Emergency departments of National Health Service hospitals. This does not cover admission to the same hospital as an in-patient or referral to an out-patient clinic from the Emergency department you were admitted to. Therefore, unless you are from the EEA, it's advisable for you to take out adequate medical insurance cover for overseas before going to the UK. Check first if your own insurance policy already covers you overseas. Your insurance broker or travel agent will be able to help.

If you are a citizen from the EEA and plan to live in Britain for some time, it's a good idea to register as a patient with a GP (general practitioner) of the NHS of your choice. It's free for EEA nationals, and it guarantees access to NHS services. If you need specialist treatment, your GP will refer you to a hospital or a specialist doctor. Not all treatments are offered free by the NHS but if, for example, you need a dentist, check first that s/he is registered with the NHS, in which case the cost for the treatment will be much less.

Everywhere in Britain you'll find chemists open on Sundays and Bank Holidays, indicated in local papers. In addition, in London there are two chemist shops open every day from 9am to midnight:
Bliss Chemist - 5 Marble Arch - London W1 - Tel. ++44 - 20 - 7723 6116
Wardman, Fred - 45 Golders Green Road - London NW11 - Tel. ++44 - 20 -8455 4351.