BEST-SELLING writer Bill Bryson was among friends when he gave a talk at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester on Tuesday.

Whether sharing his collection of favourite newspaper headlines, weird and wacky road signs or describing his experiences hiking the Appalacian trail with an over-weight companion, he was speaking to an audience who understood him.

Bill may be an American, but his humour and sense of irony are definitely British, and, as he constantly reminded us, he loves Britain and he loves the British.

He likes our pubs, our newspapers, the shipping forecast, our ability to get enthusiastic about a cup of tea and those wonderfully British phrases - 'musn't grumble' and 'things could be worse.'

As he pointed out, in Britain we have so much to be grateful for - great countryside, great history and the fact that George Bush will never be our president.

Bill chatted and read from his books and talked about his life back in America, where his wry observations and sarcastic remarks so often meet with blank incomprehension from his countrymen.

At Huntingdon Hall, he apologised for not being able to offer anything deep or profound to his audience. But in fact, he offered them just what they wanted - the chance to just listen to him talk and make them laugh.

He loves the British and it seems the British love him, even if he is American.

Sue Vickers