When I think back to my times past in the US, the weather also seemed to be a major feature. Whether it was the 25 below zero of Wisconsin or the sultry heat of Manhattan or the blazing brilliance of a Nevada sunset, nature provided a tuning fork hum and my life seemed to vibrate in harmony with it.  I’m a townie by birth, born and bred just outside London (which has since stretched and absorbed it), but I always had a thing for trees. You can imagine my delight at meeting the Sequoia on the west coast.

But even an itty bitty country like the UK has been kissed by Mother Nature. There are some trees here that are 1000 years ago and one or two beyond the 2000 year mark.

Anyhow, to follow Monika’s trail, here is a short list of pleasures to be had in the UK as opposed to the US.

1.  People only say, “Have a nice day,” when they really mean it. Which is never. So you always know where you stand.

2.  The weather changes constantly here and is a huge topic of conversation. This enables the populace to interact socially without rendering themselves open to ridicule, criticism or intimacy.

3.  We have a great sense of history and tradition. That’s why we’ve deliberately not won the World Cup for 44 years, so as not to offend the older generation. We also revere the great British traditions of drinking and fighting, often combining them at the weekends to show good time management.

4.  We have one of the highest teenage pregnancy figures in Europe. Some say it’s indicative of the failure of society to instil ambition in its youth; others say it is the fault of negligent parents and the benefits system. Personally, I like to think we’ve just taken the Biblical advice to ‘go forth and multiply’ to heart. An alternative version of that sagely advice is also one of our favourite social exchanges.

5. The BBC. Arguably one of the world’s greatest broadcasters and content providers, along with a really nifty website.

6. Boston. York. Halifax. Scotia. London. We’ve got the originals!

That’s my six, albeit it with a glint in my eye. Over to you Monika!