28th April 2019

The Queen has announced the State visit to the UK of the US president in June, on the occasion of a wartime anniversary. But already childish people are planning protests, and the current leader of the opposition has vowed not to attend. There’s no point in thousands of people massing in London to shout insults at the president. Where were they when Romania’s Ceausescu or Zimbabwe’s Mugabe visited? On a personal level, my latest book, An Englishwoman in America, will be released on 11th June. It covers what the Americans think of the British and vice versa, along with how America compares on language, culture, humour, health, sport, government, gun law, religion, patriotism and even sex. Modern democracies understand that education about each other is vital if meaningful discussions can take place. Mr President, you will be very welcome!

21st April 2019

A  new group in town, Extinction Rebellion, is protesting against climate breakdown. The world was in tears about ancient Notre Dame in flames, the coverage generating donations of billions. Certainly a political lifeline for embattled Macron, seizing the opportunity to divert attention away from the Gilets Jaunes protesters. However, the power of social media soon converted those previously crying over the building to saying that the billions should now be spent on the starving. Oh how the media manipulates us, highlighting some issues whilst ignoring global suffering that doesn’t fit already-entrenched ‘good guy’ v ‘bad guy’ views on the world. And, Extinction Rebellion? No point protesting in the UK. Go to a global organisation and focus more on dealing with the EFFECTS of climate change e.g. moving people away from low-lying coastal/river areas and earthquake/tsunami zones and strengthening homes. 21 degrees here yesterday. The heat is on.

14th April 2019

Home to a sunny England after observing America at first hand. How does it differ from Britain? Don’t be fooled by the apparent same language. US culture is foreign. Attempted discussions about Brexit fell at the first hurdle. Whilst the average Englishman is quite happy to rubbish his own government, this runs entirely contrary to many Americans, who are raised to love and respect their country. If you’re born to swear allegiance to your flag and display it proudly from your own home, you’re never going to run your country down, especially not to foreigners - no matter who’s president. So, although the PM is on the right lines in organising a special Festival of Britain in 2022 - a way at last to foster pride in our country - even that’s gone wrong as it clashes with the centenary of Irish partition. Come on Britain. We can do better than this.

8th April 2019

It’s nearly two weeks since arriving in the US and I’m pausing for a moment of reflection.  Yesterday we were out walking. It was still cold but the sky was azure blue and the air here in Maine tinglingly fresh. Suddenly a passing car stops, the horn toots and a friendly hand waves out of the window.  I was momentarily puzzled. Who could possibly know me here, a million miles from home?  The driver shouted a cheery greeting. It was the waitress who’d served us breakfast that morning!  Yes, American customer service is still alive and well here. I see it everywhere. But don’t even think of discussing politics. Whereas the English are quite happy to run their own country down, Americans are very different.  My observations on the differences between us continue. As yet more snow starts to fall, I pull my collar up against the chill...