Questions for non-Brits.

 I second Andy and Lyn.  Fortunately  we in Worcester haven't had a mosque foisted on us yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Remember when England was proud....and allowed to be?

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England ..

Hi Sue:

That's quite a lovely poem. Thanks for sharing it.  There's a lot of politically correct stuff over here too, like freedom of speech as long as you don't mention God.

It is a beautiful sentiment Ruth and would love to have written it but all the credit must go to William Shakespeare.

As for not mentioning God, that's probably why this country is in such a mess too.

When I think of England I think of an old friend. England and the US are inextricably tied together.

While I am only 45 I was somewhat of a student of WW2 in my early and mid teens and what you guys went through was just amazing. My father was born in '24 and did not serve because he had polio. My uncle served in the US Army Air Corp and flew P51s and p47s in Hawaii but never made it to the ETO. Nevertheless my Dad had many books and magazines about the war. And I am still amazed what that generation did and their sacrifices. 100s of thousands of soldiers and airmen that never got to see their families again.

Wow, no answer from Ron, is he away on holiday?

So I lived in England for 32 years and America for 16 and two in Canada (oh wait, I've just given away my age). So first question, what do I associate England with? That would be green, the colour green. Green trees, green rolling hills, green rivers. Little country villages, thatched cottages, winding roads and friends. I try my best to ignore the rest, far too many cars, badly behaved youth, badly behaved grown ups, badly spoken English, and the influx of people from other lands who have no intention to integrate, but live as they did in their own country.

Second question, I come to England to walk, walk those green hills, look at those green trees, and bird watch and be with my long (suffering) time friends.

What do I feel is laking in England, well I guess that would be identity. I think England is losing it's identity.