In no particular order, and almost certainly more about the differences between Brighton and San Francisco than the UK and the US.

- There are many more old people than I remember. Negotiating the high street on pension day is like that bit in Star Wars when Luke flies down into the Death Star and dodges all the obstacles, except with lots of old people. Many of the pensioners seemed to have throaty breathing problems that make them sound like Darth Vader, so it’s definitely a good analogy.

- This may be a mirage caused by the fact that San Francisco is quite the most spectacularly young place. Most elderly people in the city are there because they’re old hippies who have gone batshit crazy, and are kept in aspic for visitors to stare at in wonder.

- Things feel a lot more culturally integrated here. Yes, there’s a huge Asian and Hispanic community in SF, but it’s a lot more separate-but-equal — everyone’s separated off into their own parts of the city. Here everyone’s a lot more cheek-by-jowl.

- THERE ARE CO-OPERATIVE FOOD STORES EVERYWHERE. Seriously. There are three within spitting distance of my house, and they’re all a bit crap.

- It is cold. And wet. Completely expected, yet somehow this remained surprising.

- British people have better coats. This was a reflection from my friend Alex, however, so I can’t claim any sort of smug insight.

More of this gold to come your way soon, I’m sure.