‘I have stood in wonder at this countries incredible landscapes, its rich countryside and coastline, its beautiful rivers and canals, its amazing crazy, colourful people, its capacity to make us laugh, cry and fight for what we believe in.’

I’m no nationalist, I certainly do not believe we should be leaving the European Union but that doesn’t stop me from weeping for our beautiful country; Great Britain. The UK is feeling a bit beat up at the moment. Watching politicians night after night going at each others throats and using language that is only creating division in our country is a sad thing to see. It paints a bad picture of us all around the world and puts a shadow over what is one of the most amazing countries in the world.

It took me a long time to recognise what this Island country of ours has to offer. I have travelled all over the world but hardly anywhere in the UK. It has been only recently I have stood in wonder at this countries incredible landscapes, its rich countryside and coastline, its beautiful rivers and canals, its amazing crazy, colourful people, its capacity to make us laugh, cry and fight for what we believe in. This country has incredible festivals, incredible music and art, country fayres, markets, boot sales and nightlife like no other. I was born in Great Britain, my best friends live in Britain and I have had some amazing times in Britain. Take a step back and think of all the amazing times you have had in this country. Our country is unique, eccentric and wonderful and sometimes we forget that.

So, with the help of some famous quotes as well as some from author Martin Dorey from his book: Take the Slow Road: England and Wales: Inspirational Journeys Round England, here is my tribute to ‘GREAT’ Britain.

“It’s a funny country, this [Great Britain]. Its busy, a little clogged up in places and often eccentric. It has bonkers politics and notions of grandeur, a crazy, unchecked press and a terrible sense of entitlement that’s a hangover from colonial giddiness. England has divisions between North and South, rich and poor and the very, very rich and the ‘just a little bit middle England who’d rather be cast asunder than know Johnny foreigner’ class.” Martin Dorey: Take the Slow Road

“England is full of castles, some terraced, some on private estates, and some on promontories overlooking the sea. Its a funny little place.” Martin Dorey

“[Great Britain] is the country of my birth. It is the place I have spent most of my life.”

“England isn’t just about towns, cities, motorways and junctions, although it has a lot of them. Between the conurbations and built-up areas England has some very fine scenery, some brilliant camping and some absolutely brilliant driving.” Martin Dorey: Take the Slow Road

“Bees blew like cake-crumbs through the golden air, white butterflies like sugared wafers, and when it wasn’t raining a diamond dust took over which veiled and yet magnified all things”
― Laurie Lee, Cider With Rosie

“He stood staring into the wood for a minute, then said: “What is it about the English countryside — why is the beauty so much more than visual? Why does it touch one so? He sounded faintly sad. Perhaps he finds beauty saddening — I do myself sometimes. Once when I was quite little I asked father why this was and he explained that it was due to our knowledge of beauty’s evanescence, which reminds us that we ourselves shall die. Then he said I was probably too young to understand him; but I understood perfectly.”
― Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle“

“This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea.”
― William Shakespeare

“When I go out into the countryside and see the sun and the green and everything flowering, I say to myself “Yes indeed, all that belongs to me!”

Henri Rousseau

I love the rest of the world, there are some amazing countries, cultures and people out there. I embrace multiculturalism and togetherness and being part of a bigger picture. But next time you are driving through the British countryside or enjoying the good company of friends in a British pub listening to some great music, take a moment to reflect on just how amazing Great Britain really is.