When one lives abroad, it is easy to focus on what’s better about living in a particular foreign country than in one’s place of birth and upbringing.  For me, the former would be the US where I’ve been living with my family since September 2006 and the latter is the United Kingdom where I currently find myself on vacation (sadly, on the eve of my return).

Upon first becoming an expat, there are inevitably many advantages that one comes across on a day-to-day basis that can be tallied up.  In fact, it becomes something of an obsession to focus on these benefits as one congratulates one’s self on an excellent life choice which invariably involved the somewhat violent act of up-rooting family and transplanting them to a far-flung location.  Such are the artifacts of life’s insecurities.

But it is also easy to forget some of the good things to be cherished about the Mother Country.  So it is interesting for me to return home to Blighty on vacation after a leave-of-absence of nearly four years and observe these obvious and, some might say, clichéd points first hand.

Pubs.. don’t exist in the US.  Well, generally not at least.  You come across the odd establishment of the Irish variety but really nothing to compare to an excellent English Country hostelry such as the Alford Arms.

News Papers..  The UK press certainly can’t be credited with having a particularly high moral fiber at the best of times.  However, invasiveness notwithstanding the quality of journalism that emanates from Fleet Street is sorely missed in these quarters.

Architecture.. ‘Nuff Said (Louis IXIII stayed here in exile).

and this is my Brother’s place in Devon:

Baths.. no, not the well-known west country city but the more prosaic cast-iron tub that one can immerse oneself in (as I did yesterday).  Armitage Shanks.  In the US, baths are designed for midgets.  It isn’t possible to stretch out, prone and enjoy a good soak.  I don’t understand why not.  And, no hot tubs do not make up for this inadequacy.

Tea.. OK super-cliché alert but.. having stopped off in Marlborough, Wiltshire (home to my Alma Mata) reminded me how quaint the ritual can be (even when one partakes at lunch time )

Chocolate..  Hershey's sorry.. fail.  UK Crunchy Maltesers Ripple Confectionary world capital.

Countryside.. The US has some stunning spots there is no doubt.  But on more than one occasion I’ve had a moment to pause and reflect.

Oh.. and lastly, Rain.  The rain in Seattle is pretty amazing but I have to admit that UK rain really is the best there is.

It’s been a wonderful trip.  Now back to wide roads & mountains