I frequently have too much opinion and never enough patience although fortunately my thoughts remain hidden from view (but sometimes my face can say it all for me). Strangely I am enjoying life in Budapest, maybe its the fact that I don't have to speak very much - because I can't.

I have a very organised mind, 'a place for everything and everything in its place', and my thought processes are very structured too, sadly life doesn't follow the same ideals. I hope that by the time I retire I have slowed down enough to enjoy it because at the moment I am speeding my way to becoming the next Victor Meldrew! Also at 51, I am experiencing a crisis of physicality - my mind can do all those things that a 25 year-old can, while my body is looking for a wheelchair - perhaps I can get one with a cricket bat attachment!


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I drove here in July 2011 in a green Honda Accord, non stop (except for fuel of course). I arrived in Budapest at around 10pm after 23 hours travelling and was met by heavy rain. It was an exhilarating experience driving through the city and quite emotional too. Why? Because I drove here to live with Julianna who I 'met' on the internet three months beforehand.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
This is my first, and hopefully last, expatriate experience, I'm not normally the gambling type!

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Difficult, because I came without expectations and I think I am not too easily surprised, but perhaps the shell and bullet holes in the buildings from the 1956 invasion, which I think symbolises the character of the country.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Budapest Castle District is a nice day full of beauty and history with a fantastic view across The Duna towards Országház, the parliament building.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I have a simple taste so it would have to be goulash.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Everything we cook and eat is fresh so there are always fresh vegetables in there and élesztő, because we make our own bread.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
"Bocsánat" - I travel everywhere by public transport and am forever knocking into people - I blame the brakes and the drivers of the old buses and trains!

8. What do you miss the most from home?
My two daughters, 25 & 23, who are building their own lives at a distance from me. My parents too as I used to visit them very frequently but I've only been back three times in 18 months.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Writing, I have a cheeky humour but some strong opinions.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Before I came here I spent a few years driving trucks around the UK and 'lived' in them from Monday to Friday. It was the realisation of one of my ambitions and something I still fondly look back on. However, when I enquired with some companies here in Hungary, I was offered trips that lasted 4 and 5 weeks at a time before getting back to Julianna for only a few days and then back off again for another few weeks. No, thank you.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
10 days in Udon Thani, north east Thailand. Very peaceful and harmonious with incredible rain showers.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Julianna wants to go to Vienna and I'm just happy to be with her, but if I could print my own ticket I would probably go to Dubai, to see what all the fuss was about.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I had a wide-ranging taste in music from Kate Bush to Queen but I was brought up on Pink Floyd, Genesis and The Moody Blues.

14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Chocolate and yes, I just had some while answering these questions.

15. Red wine or white?
Red and no, Csipke cordial is in front of me right now.

16. Book or movie?
If I'm on my own it's a book, currently reading Gerald Durrell's, 'My family and other animals'.

17. Morning person or night person?
Mornings, but these days I am finding it more difficult to get out of bed - must be age!

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Respect - or lack of it. Whether it's religion, politics or just fellow neighbours and road users, society seems to be in constant search of ways to forget that we are all equal and we all share the same planet.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
I live in Pest and I try to be faithful at all times, so Pest it is.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I have two answers for this:
Firstly, 'Fair and reasonable' has been a phrase that has been with me for many years now. If it were more widely used (see 18 above) perhaps we wouldn't have to read of so much sadness in the media.
Secondly, 'Southend United for the Cup'. I will always support my home town football team, wherever I live, and as I have always favoured the minnows in any competition, here in Budapest, I favour MTK Football Club.