"Walking Home: Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way" by Simon Armitage.
This was Gail's BC choice following a chance discovery of the book at a Pennine Way exhibition in Hawes.
It's a good, light read, even suitable as a bedtime read.
Simon Armitage is a long term resident of Marsden and hence well aware of the Pennine Way as a long distance walk.
However, Simon's take on the walk was unusual, as a poet he wanted to use poetry to fund his walk, and he wished to “walk home” which meant walking the Pennine Way from North to South.
With much organisation Simon succeeded in “walking home” and the book is a lovely record of the daily miles and associated trials and tribulations and poetry readings.
Gail re-read the book in preparation for the Book Club review, noted the high quality of the observational writing, the way that she could “hear” Simon, the gentle self-deprecating humour, but above all the rain, fog, wind, and and bogs.
The book created an unusually consistent response from the book club, -”enjoyed the book, don't want to do the walk”.
(N.B., “Ee lad, tha looks buggered”).
Andrew's signed-by-the-author hardback copy was admired as he reflected on the value of “common spaces” like the 16 long-distance walks in UK, and the value of first-hand experience.
All of those at the meeting had anecdotes to share from their walking expeditions, and Gwynneth gave the meeting a real treat by playing an excerpt from a recording made by Simon Armitage reading from the book.
Doorly score: 4.5
PC. 10th August, 2025
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