It rots my socks that in this country we struggle to get even half the mileage the EU driver expects. Smaller houses, peat fires burning, smaller roads having less effect all around, it's a marvel in conservation.

On the other hand, I was floored by the extent of water pollution added by grey water led into storm drains on houses both in Dublin and in the country. And in resources like water, where subsidies pay for the utilities, conservation can lack. Same with fuels like natural gas, if it's cheap, it gets abused I'm afraid. First thing we did in all B&B's in turn the heat off and open the windows.

We all have our warts. Simple supply of resources has spoiled us in more ways than one in the US. We could learn a lot from the EU in using resources more wisely. Unfortunately, we set a different scale long ago with our abundant resources.

On the sailing, I believe you, Neil! I can't believe the richness we have on the east coast of the US in comparison to so much of coastal EU. They have their destination areas, but so many sailors deal with twice the extreme weather and conditions we do here in the Northeast. Sailing friends from Wales say we have it very good here. Their stories of regularly sailing in EU waters, are harsh!

One landlord in Kinsale keeps his Cascade 36 - which he bought and sailed from our west coast - , in the British Virgins. Kinsale has a good(one of the only) harbor, but just outside is exposed and not what he wants. Like some of our US mid coastal areas, sailing is in and out at best. Racing is good in that condition but coastal sailing for locals in smaller boats will be challenging.