USA Correspondent - Mike

NEWS FROM THE USA

After the Iron Lady and McGreggor closed the Sutton Manor pit in the early 90s I took flight to Germany with an American soldier girl based at Burtonwood. We were married in her home town of Lancaster Pennsylvania USA a year later which we visited soley for the marriage. I quickly discovered that the American choice of summer drink was 'unsweetened iced tea'. Having never tried this before and being told by my father in law that it was a wonderful drink, I gulped my first gob full and promtly spit it out on the side of his swimming pool. It was shite and I told him so. I added that we in England would never offer cold tea to our guests. We would pour it down the sink and make another pot. This ammused him no end. The only German language that I needed to know during my stay in the 'Fatherland' was the good old V sign, taught to me by Winston Churchill back in the 40s. Either that or the dick head sign as I drove around Germany in my car.

Five years later we were posted to New Jersey USA where I learned the fine art of sea fishing from the Jersey Beaches and rental boats. I retired a year later when my wife finished her 20years in the Army and moved into Amish Country in Lancaster Pennsylvania and now we have a large house with a swimming pool in the back garden. I learned to play blue grass banjo whilst in the states. Four Amish villages in our vicinity are "Bird in the Hand" "Paradise" "Blue Ball" and get ready for it.. "INTERCOURSE"..The Film 'Witness' starring Harrison Ford was filmed in Intercourse. I am training to be a private pilot at Lancaster airport and enjoying every minute of the new challange..

When I lived in St Helens I was a piss artist of the first order but found a way out of the drinking life via a 12 step programme which I found in 1988. I was told on joining the programme that my life would change 'beyond my wildest dreams' and 14years later, still sober, I realize that my dreams are all coming true. I dont miss England but I dearly miss the folks around St helens and visit the town every year. I have friends and family living there and am in contact with them on a weekly basis via phone and computer. So thats about it. I am still a smoker but trying to stop.. see picture.

Mike Grogan, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA