‘I avoid America at all costs – it’s a cultural desert with deep problems’

I’ve a newfound appreciation for Europe

I really like the wine, the small producers, the languages, the acceptance of our variations, the historical past… all the issues that we will so take as a right however that are so lacking in America. However alas, we’re hurtling in the direction of their mannequin of dwelling too.

This sounds terribly sycophantic, however I really like the Telegraph Journey guides – now we have used them many, many instances

On advice, this summer season we ended up in Beaune, France. We cycled across the Grand Cru plots, up and down to those lovely villages, attempting out some burgundy after which seeing the pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.

Within the late 1990s, my band Catatonia performed at Fuji Rock Competition in Japan

I keep in mind strolling across the again of Fuji Rock with Ian Brown, the singer of The Stone Roses, and discovering a extremely clear stream filled with attractive honey-coloured ­pebbles, quartz and tiger stones. We dipped our toes within the chilly stream, then I went again and watched Blur because the solar got here down in entrance of an absolute sea of an viewers.

At 18, I put a rucksack on my again and went to Spain for a yr

It was some of the pivotal choices I’ve ever made. I’m encouraging my kids to do one thing related when they’re older. To get your toes in one other tradition and study one other language when your mind continues to be so good is likely one of the most useful experiences you can provide your self.