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)