Because Britain is bloody fantastic. I’ve travelled all around the world, as a backpacker, and in considerably more comfort (mostly, though not always) as a travel journalist, but seven years ago made a decision to focus my writing on Britain. Why?
I’ve had my eyes opened to just how beautiful, and wild, and historic, and eccentric this country really is. I’ve been trotting around reviewing hotels, small B&Bs, cottages to rent, exploring towns and villages, meetings lots of people and driving through different landscapes, and what I’ve learned is this. For such a small island there is incredible diversity – of landscape, flora and fauna, food and culture. From dolphin-watching in Scotland to luxuriating in a Lancashire pub with rooms, shopping for antiques and Welsh blankets, and eating breakfast on a modern, minimal Cornish balcony looking out at a glittering sea.
On the road, I come across all sorts of great places, and wonderful people, and until now, there hasn’t been anywhere to write about them. So here they are. Welcome to my Britain.
I so agree with your take in Britain. I spent half a lifetime travelling overseas as part of an overlanding operation consequently ignoring my own country on the basis ‘I can always do that when I retire’!
Well, that has come about and how I regret the lost time – there is so much quirkiness to discover, enjoy and revel in here, so much beauty (although a few things to gripe about too but then we all enjoy a good gripe from time to time).
Jo,
Thanks for commenting. I think I’ve been lucky to roll longhaul travel with the UK in one career … but the penny dropped about staying in Britain after my first year as a freelance writer in 2005 when every single work assignment I took on was longhaul. I’d left London, but still managed to miss every season change, primroses, bluebells, midsummer nights, etc. Sometimes one has to spend a lot of time away to appreciate what there is here Without the overlanding experiences, perhaps you wouldn’t see things through such appreciative eyes now!
I’ve been a hard core American Anglophile since 1987 when we took our 15 year old daughter to see where her father went to school in London in the fifties. I wondered just how we could possibly fill up our 17 day holiday. Every year since then I have been filling up my holidays, sometimes for full months with the wonders of the UK. We started house exchanging in 1989 and have acquired some wonderful friendships. I will be enjoying the Dewsall Court Supper Club on Oct 4. I also hope to take advantage of Londinium Tours London walks. If you are not familiar with the incredible duo, Val and Sal, I urge you to visit their website at http://www.londiniumtours.com.
Jean, thanks for your feedback. Let me know how the supperclub goes. Will check out the website of your tour guides in London.