What is going on in America?
In this talk I look at the great country from an unusual perspective – two road trips on Greyhound buses half a century apart.
I draw on diary entries and original photos (no selfies!) to show how in 1969, as a 22-year-old student, I was blown away by the sights I saw and the people I met.
In 2019, by then a retired journalist, I was ambushed by a crazy notion to go back and do it again. It was too good an idea to pass on, though I quickly realised that I would have to make allowances for a 72-year-old’s antiquated skills and aching body.
On the second trip I took photos on my mobile phone and wrote a book. I still loved the country and its people, though this time the divisions were so bitter and so resolute that I felt I was travelling through parallel universes.
I came back with many questions about the country’s future, and this invariably leads to an interesting discussion at the end.
Copies of Two Summers: Nixon and Trump by Greyhound Bus will be available to buy at a special rate.
'A very interesting talk about the changes that America has experienced in the past 50 years, some good and some not so good - a great insight into how things are and what the future might bring.‘ – David King, Speaker Secretary, Bookham & Horsley Rotary
‘A fascinating talk. It brought back some happy memories - and some scary moments in bus depots, late at night!’ - Sue Eggleton, Treasurer, Rotary Club of Shepperton Aurora
Zoom talks in 2021
January 13: Rotary Club of Shepperton Aurora
January 14: Purley Cross WI
February 15: Shepperton & Sunbury Rotary
February 18: The Wimbledon Society
March 4: Walton Rotary Club
March 10: WordFest, Crawley Festival of Words
March 11: Cobham WI
April 6: Caunton WI
April 14: Bradwell-on-Sea WI
May 4:Toller and Hooke WI
May 18:Wrington Vale Probus (am)
May 18: Box Hill Dames (pm)
May 27: Sevenoaks Probus
June 7: Millhouses Probus, Sheffield
June 24: Royal Wootton Bassett Probus
July 12: Woodhatch WI
July 19: Lake Country Probus, Canada
July 21: Armada Probus, Bookham
August 2: Cannock and District Men’s Probus
August 11: Probus Club of Banstead
August 17: Newent & District U3A
August 24: Preston Amounderness Probus
September 20: Ashtead Probus
September 21: Croydon South Probus
Talks for 2022
March 1: Princes Risborough U3A Travel Group
March 15: Trent Bridge Rotary (Zoom)
April 28: Wonersh U3A
May 11: Dronfield U3A (Zoom)
May 12: Chelmsford U3A
July 11: Merrow Afternoon WI
September 6: Sherborne St John Women's Fellowship
September 14: Dorking U3A
Talks for 2023
October 11: Horley U3A
November 16: Bourne WI
Timing: The talk normally runs for about 40 minutes
Speaker’s details: I was a journalist on national and medical newspapers and magazines, and after that ran a business teaching written communication skills to health professionals. I have written four books on medical writing and a memoir. I am an experienced public speaker and former chairman of Mole Valley Speakers Club.
Standard fee: £75 (£50 Zoom)