poppyshake

Walking Home: My Family and Other Rambles by Clare Balding Synopsis: In the Balding family, walking just took too long - Clare galloped through the countryside and she galloped through life. Then, starting out in her broadcasting career, she was asked to present a series of walks with interesting people. Some fifteen hundred miles of footpaths later, she's discovered the true glories of Britain and caught the walking bug. Now she wants to get her whole family hooked, by taking them on the 71-mile footpath that runs past their home on the Hampshire Downs. 'It will be a great family adventure,' she declares. 'Won't it?' This is a story of paths and people, of discovering the glories of Britain and Ireland, and of (mis)adventures with the family. Along the way there are charming diversions and life-changing rambles, including her take on the 2012 Olympics. And, finally, this is Clare's story of walking home. Review: I really enjoyed Clare's previous book but was slightly disappointed in this one. Not that it's not good .. it's quite similar in style and I love the subject matter .. it's just that it was a little boring in places (she rambles on too much ha ha ) and also she's occasionally a bit sniffy about some of the people who have taken part in her radio programme 'Ramblings' which I thought was bad form. Only the people that annoyed her though and they were few and far between but all the same. I felt their friends and family would know and was therefore embarrassed for them (even if they were major pains in the a*ses ) Part of the book is about her attempting the Wayfarer's Walk in Hampshire with various members of her family. She had seen the signposts for it for as long as she can remember as it runs past her childhood home but had never attempted it until now. I liked this part probably better than the chats about the walks she took for 'Ramblings' though she has met some fascinating people (like David Sedaris .. whose mission it is to pick up every piece of litter dropped .. an exhausting and depressing past-time actually as he can no longer see beauty when he looks at the countryside .. even if it's a far off view .. he just sees piles and piles of litter.) Also interesting was her commentary on what it was like to be a big part of London 2012 .. perhaps a little bit too back-patty (that's not a term is it? ) but then she did do a remarkably good job. Enjoyable but not quite as top notch as My Animals and Other Family .. imo of course 3/5

Looked to see what films they had on catch-up earlier and settled for this one. Perfect escapism I always think I can dance though after I've watched Fred & Ginger .. so disappointing to discover again that I can't

There should be a copy of Elling in every language. There should also be Elling - the graphic novel and a pop-up book Ah .. makes sense. No point in stocking stuff few people are going to read. Precious bookshelf space and all that. I don't know anything about King's library policemen but they are freaking me out already (if you're hiding under a chair then I'm out of the door and running down the road ) Hopefully the book police are the tolerant sort because one might be tempted to hide books otherwise .. have a false wall or something and tbh I'm up to my neck in it as it is. I can just about sort out what's for dinner. That's just the sort of book it is .. insidious I didn't learn any of that at the museum .. I think you should go work there frankie I can see why they wanted it changed from Brunty to Brontë .. Brontë is more romantic. Emily Brunty!! It's not the same is it? Lord! .. how big is your keyboard? Where do they put all these extra characters? Will I need a bigger desk? Looking forward to getting cosy this evening and reading more from The Rabbit Back Literature Society.

READ IT!!!!!! The closest one to me is The Red Pony - John Steinbeck

Awww .. look at my writing when I was just little Anyone who likes YA would probably like Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll .. it's lovely and wintry (and a ghost story) and also The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey was beautifully atmospheric I thought and ideal for reading in Winter (these aren't necessarily new ideas but they're new to the thread ) I also really liked The Vanishing Act by Mette Jakobsen but I was in the minority For a lighter read there's also Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan Just the thing for reading with a hot chocolate in one hand and a bun in the other

It's a problem we all know only too well Hope you get on okay with Mrs Dalloway .. hang on tight I read The Bell Jar last year and loved it .. melancholy though. I am absolutely sure you will love Crime and Punishment .. I did and we both love tea so it's a given isn't it? Look forward to reading your book blog

No .. Oliver usually illustrates books (and writes them) for littlies. But they made a short animated film out of one a few years ago and it was just the most darling thing ever .. or I thought so Poor Barnaby What a great idea .. getting borrowers to vote on books they'd like to see stocked. Brilliant! I hope some of your clicks make it through That is excellent customer service. My library could do with taking a leaf .. out of .. their book (sorry .. the pun only occurred to me as I was typing ) I don't think they've changed their titles this millennium. They are doing the bare minimum as far as I'm concerned and not encouraging readers I could do it better (of course ) in my sleep!! It's such a boon to have a well stocked library (or libraries) nearby .. it saves one lots of pennies for a start and you can take chances on books which is liberating.

Hi Dave Welcome! Hope you find you like it here. You have come to exactly the right place to find reader friends. I love tea too so I'm sure we'll get along swimmingly How are you getting on with Mrs Dalloway? .. I do love Virginia but she does boggle my head a bit. Have you read Crime and Punishment? .. really worthwhile but like with most Russian novels you have to invest a lot of time. Anyway .. ask your friend .. I hope she'll be of the same opinion Have fun having a good look about

Still loving it Glad to hear that they're stocking it in English too .. what's the usual rules about that? Do they stock a lot of English copies .. or only of popular books or is it random? Well, if that's not a reason to stick at stuff I don't know what is Perhaps there should be some sort of book police who come around your house and order you to read un-read books .. especially if they've been on the shelf a while (oh Lord! Carter Beats the Devil ) .. first it's like a friendly warning but then violence might ensue (bit drastic? ) I could do with some encouragement anyway .. which is what you have given me I did have to copy and paste I did well actually .. the Brontë family don't always receive the same consideration

Oh .. that's a shame What a completely darling cover I do love Oliver Jeffers' illustrations. It should've been brilliant .. still .. you quite liked it so not a disaster. I feel a bit anxious for poor Barnaby though ... his parents seem a bit heartless .. couldn't they just have put lead weights in his trousers

What age group do you think it's suitable for Michelle? Would an eight year old be okay with it? I really want to know more too .. sounds intriguing

Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending

I don't really differ much in my reading over the year apart from winter when I definitely like more wintry tales and ghost stories .. that sort of thing. I always read A Christmas Carol too .. every year (though often I cheat and listen to it being read .. while I'm stirring up the puddings )

Yes .. that's a bit hopeful isn't it? Glad you've found a copy You can chuck it back at a charity shop when finished .. that's the good thing about second hand books .. you don't really feel obliged to keep them. I still have books I've kept because the covers are just too beautiful to part with although the stories were hopeless I know you are more ruthless and less (mad? ) sentimental than that though. Thank you I need to keep my eyes peeled. It's a bit obscure but it's bound to turn up somewhere on my travels Okay then No .. it's just I'm on one track at the moment. I can see a Kate Bush connection in a fried breakfast

I've got this one on the shelf .. I was quite eager to start it when I bought it but didn't for some reason and now it's been there practically all year and I find I'm less and less inclined That's the same with most of my books though .. the new shiny ones look best Perhaps your thoughts on it will change my mind xx

Finished listening to Caitlin Moran's How to Build a Girl .. almost laughed myself sick Started The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen .. enjoying it very much and have downloaded Clare Balding's new book about walking. Hope it will inspire me to get off my backside before permanent damage is done

How lovely It's great to meet people from the forum isn't it? we are all kindred spirits (we love books .. how could we be anything but marvellous ) Glad you had such a good time xx

I'm trying to get a copy of Peter Reich's Book of Dreams (which inspired Kate to write Cloudbusting) but it's out of print and I can't find it for less than £80 .. ouch!! So I feel your pain .. though yours is a less expensive pain .. I saw it for 99p on eBay (though only 'acceptable' condition .. and I know what that means .. just about fit for purpose.) Good luck! I will stop talking about Kate soon .. I'm in the chicken soup stage of recovery now

Thanks Deborah It's great when you go to places that have inspired books or writer's homes etc .. especially if they are books/authors you love

That's good to hear .. definitely will look into that She kept my interest throughout which is no mean feat at the moment

Awww .. how sweet

It is quite Wuthering Heights here at the moment, wind and slanting rain. It looks like there's a slight possibility of an improvement .. I can see chunks of blue in the distance but it's cold. I've put the heating on for the first time since Spring. Lot's of gorgeous red Autumn colour though .. hopefully the wind will calm down or else the leaves will disappear from the trees too fast ... anxious times Get well soon bobbs! Keep warm! xx

I know .. sorry to bombard you .. on Facebook too My reading was going woefully but Claire lent me a great book (Frost Hollow Hall) and I whizzed through it so possibly things are looking up. Will try and go careful with my next choice ... I want to try and continue momentum.

From the Railway Children: Oakworth station, neighbouring Haworth station, bridge and crossing en route, Three Chimneys (where the children lived), the stile outside Three Chimneys (this is not the thin one .. this one looks generous in comparison ) and Perks' cottage.

The 199 steps in Whitby, Whitby Abbey ruins, graveyard and The Dracula Experience which was alas shut. Even though I've been told it's monumentally awful .. I would still have loved to go in. The awfuller the better imo (I don't actually want to be scared )