My bittersweet holiday offered no break from Brexit woes

A trip to Portugal, Britain's oldest ally, was a painful reminder of the benefits of EU membership

The media has been replete this summer with reports of British holidaymakers returning from EU countries proclaiming - and complaining - that our neighbours enjoy a better way of life than is now the case in Brexit Britain.

In years gone by a popular English phrase was mustn't grumble". These days it has been superseded by nothing works" and things are falling apart".