Ellie Harrison

Offering peace, freedom and the company of nature, a simple picnic is the height of luxury

- 

"I'm fortunate in that I have never had to trumpet that I "know my rights" and certainly, I know perfectly well not to dance with even the edges of the American legal system, but when I visited the spectacular Californian coast recently, I felt genuinely indignant that alcohol was banned from parks and beaches.

For what greater thrill than a bottle of Champagne overlooking the waves? I concede that our nation's reputation for drinking has come on a little from our mead-drinking monastic ancestors.

Plus, the possibility of being drunk in charge of a deadly weapon somewhat changes the landscape over there. Here, even our royal parks generously state that "we have no objection to alcoholic drinks, but they must be available free of charge (ie not for sale), and for consumption by your guests only".