I have been reading and learning a lot here. People have been telling us what the word means for themselves and not what it should mean for everyone else. Thank-you, because that is what I asked for. The way you see these things is inevitably subjective, formed by your personal experiences, history and knowledge. It springs from a complex cocktail of facts and emotions – many of which can be contradictory. Many of you have described that very openly and honestly.

Stigeward's superb post encapsulated a lot of the complex feelings, which I also have for my native land – although I come from Cornwall originally. Cornwall is even smaller than Wales and its native language disappeared with Dolly Pentreath two and a half centuries ago – largely as result of the systematic destruction of its "non English" culture. To many countries, the Union Jack was a symbol of imperialism, exploitation and suppression. Like all empires, that exploitation began at home.

Yet the community and the land of Cornwall feel palpably mine somehow. It's a way of life, which I understand and when I stand on Bodmin Moor or Kit Hill or the banks of the Lhyner, I love the very stones and they are part of me. I don't feel that same way about England, although I revere parts of the history and am blessed with (an albeit very imperfect) knowledge of its literature, music and culture.

Fate made me a busker, a songwriter and now a teacher and I have lived most of my adult life in Germany and travelled around Central Europe. My girlfriend is German. My children, the irreplaceable treasure of my life, speak German to me. I admire this country with its basically liberal and fair outlook. Its human rights record since the war shames that of most other countries. It has learned from the past and worked hard to face up to its imperfections. Germans can suffer sporting disappointment and react with a cheerful and fair, "Well done!" to their opponents. The Germans gave the world the "Wohlstand", which in my opinion is one of the most significantly decent and realistic concepts, which has actually been carried out in the history of our planet. Yet with all this to admire, I will never be German.

I understand (as much as anyone can) why my country was one of those at war with Germany just over half a century ago. If you go back and read George's post about how he would feel about a conflict between Greece and the UK, you will understand exactly about how I feel about the UK and Germany. I want our football team to beat theirs. I also want to watch the game together and drink with the Germans before and after.

For me patriotism starts with loving the people where I came from. What makes me proud of my country is the way the people reacted to the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster. The day after eight local men lost their lives, trying to save strangers from a stricken Irish coaster, thousands volunteered to take their place. This is as different to the brutal jingoism of "Ingerland, Ingerland" from racist thugs as one can get. Kindness and generosity to strangers makes me proud of my country. We don't always get it right and we have done many horrible things along the road. We are no better than anyone, but we are as good as anyone. That is the sort of patriotism I wish to embrace.

Please excuse this long and rambling post. I am very grateful for all those, who have taken the time to illustrate so beautifully what it all means for you.