If you want a very humorous read and a nice escape, read The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson. An American from Iowa, he lives in England with his wife, and this is his second homage to a beloved country. He's very funny and has a way with words. Plenty of walks, a few train rides, and time in the car lead him from Bognor Regis in the south to Cape Wrath in the north.
Gardens, museums, bars, and small towns - he wanders down plenty of paths many of us would miss. His droll observations are a hoot. p. 119 "I have never assumed that anything is fun just because it looks like the English are enjoying themselves doing it." (This was in reference to a bitterly cold day at a beach).
p.222 He talks about the train game at Cambridge station. He calls it - does the train really terminate here? A train stops, but is it really done or will it go on to London? The signs are not giving a clue. "Eventually a few brave souls got on, and then there was a kind of rush like when they opened up the Oklahoma Territory to settlers, as nearly everyone hurried to get a seat. But we all had to remain poised to jump off again."
I chuckled my way through this book (it was published in 2015), and shall use it as a travel guide someday. Every place sounded delightful, and Bryson absolutely gushes over the English countryside.
I'm ready for a long stroll and then a stop for some tea or a pint. Cheers, mates on a Wednesday.
Lol, that's my experience travelling on trains too - you just never quite know where you'll end up. It's half the fun :-)
ReplyDeleteglad to hear from someone across the pond that Bill got it right. Always an adventure in travel.
DeleteThat comment about something not being fun is funny.
ReplyDeleteyep - I laughed out loud at that one
DeleteSounds like a nice, lighthearted piece that's a must-read prior to visiting London. Fun! Thank you, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteKeep a smile and warm coffee or hot cocoa within reach.
He's a great author with a fun perspective
Deletelol sure sounds like a fun one. Even if something isn't fun.
ReplyDeletenothing like trying to have fun when it's rather yucky out, but the Brits have fortitude. It's "bracing" weather.
DeleteSounds like fun Joanne.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
hey - you're back! It would be fun. No doubt he strolled your seaside back a few years ago
DeleteHi Joanne - I've never got to grips with him and his writing ... but tis the English in me. The trains now are daunting ... especially once away from the main stations - you get half trains, which are (a) on the sign board, and then the other half (b) which goes somewhere completely different. Where a train will go once we come out of lock down is another matter - a story to tell. Take care - Hilary
ReplyDeletethat's funny. I've always liked his writing and perspective and that's the American in me. I can laugh at his view. All good no matter what. But he made me want to wander your country - that's a good thing. And his English wife puts up with him and no doubt rolls her eyes!
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