Travel fiction – where the ‘right place’ transforms lives

Travel fiction – where the ‘right place’ transforms lives

Hiraeth, War and Unexpected Exmoor Refugees

Hiraeth, War and Unexpected Exmoor Refugees

Just when you think things can’t get crazier in this old world of ours, another zinger out of left field clocks you up the side of the head. But unlike with COVID and Brexit woes and drought threatening all the new plants I’ve lovingly placed in our Exmoor garden,...
Celebrating 30 Years with Tanks and Pie

Celebrating 30 Years with Tanks and Pie

July has been a big month in the Gemmell household, two newsworthy events occurring within days of each other. First, after decades of dithering about citizenship, I celebrated my first Fourth of July as a US citizen. I know, right? Hell froze over despite climate...
Relocation Countdown: Transatlantic Hireth and Abandoned Plants

Relocation Countdown: Transatlantic Hireth and Abandoned Plants

I’m fortunate to have citizenship in two countries: The United Kingdom and the United States of America. But it’s not lost on me that ‘United’ appears in both nations’ titles when ‘united’ currently seems a strained concept in either place. Pick your poison: the...
US Citizenship: Head Versus Heart

US Citizenship: Head Versus Heart

  British Head and Heart are watching the evening news – never a good idea, no matter which side of the Atlantic anyone resides. Tonight, Head’s had enough. “Right,” says Head. “Heart, we must get US citizenship. We don’t have the right to complain about politics if...