The British feelgood factor goes on and on

This summer's feelgood factor which started with the Jubilee, the Tour de France and then maintained by the Olympics and Paralympics doesn't know when to stop. Andy Murray has won a tennis match and unemployment is down they may even have found Richard III in a Leicester car park.

I've had a few overseas trips in the last couple of weeks so it's interesting to see the outsider's  perspective on the UK.

There was certainly no shortage of Brits in France and most of the cash being splashed  seems to have been earned over here. Even foreign journalists have been getting in on the act and bigging up the UK. I'll be vague to protect identities but the regions in question are in the EU or the US. Following a round table discussion with an overseas group a few things emerged. In one country optometry can be practised after a two week training course and the 'real' profession is having to fight for its survival. In another you can still wait six months for an eye exam but it is oversupplied by retail outlets many of which are suffering as a result. In another independents are struggling as the chains offer a one stop shopping bonanza for designer hungry consumers while elsewhere people are just looking for ways to leave.