[Floegipoky]

Perspective on "fairly recent" from wiki:

> An examination of the earliest maps of Scotland suggests that the extent of the Caledonian Forest remnants has changed little since 1600.

[AlecSchueler]

"Recent" is always a funny thing. In my mind 1600 is roughly the start, or a little after the start, of the modern period, therefore recent.

Who was it that said "In Europe 100 miles is a long way, in America 100 years is a long time?"

[edent]

That's a surprisingly difficult question to answer.

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/09/who-said-brits-think-100-mi...

[karaterobot]

> Who was it that said "In Europe 100 miles is a long way, in America 100 years is a long time?"

In my experience, everyone on HN whenever the opportunity to quote it arises.

[qingcharles]

I love in the US when people boast their house was built in the 1800s. 1800s! In England I consider that fancy new construction.

But yes, it boggles peoples' minds in England when you travel more than a couple of hours by car to go anywhere. If I told a Brit I drove my car 2500 miles to L.A. on a whim they would have me institutionalized.

[jacquesm]

To be fair though, 1800 is a while ago, especially for wooden construction. But I've lived in a wooden house that was built in 1625 that probably was on it's fifth renovation by 1800. And it still stands today.

[toyg]

Pfft, in Italian terms 1625 is like, yesterday.

I got married in a church built in the IX century, half the central buildings in my hometown are from 1300-1400. And we're just nouveau riche compared to Roma.

[mnw21cam]

It's not just Italy. For instance, I was married in a church built in the 10th century, in England.

[jacquesm]

Yes, Italy (and Greece too as well as parts of Croatia) are amazing in that way.

[noelwelsh]

2500 miles from London puts you somewhere in central Asia. I found the following route, which is just shy of that distance: https://www.distance.to/London/Samara,Samara-Oblast,RUS It would be an amazing trip, but it would involve crossing many borders and going through some fairly dodgy countries. I think there is a reasonable case that no sane person would do that on a whim.

[qingcharles]

That's crazy when you see it like that. Furthest I ever made it by car from the UK was Hungary and that took me about 10 days!

I did that trip to LA in 2 days there, 2 days back. And my car radio didn't work :(