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4.5
An intrepid walker, hiker, and rock climber, the author sets goals that would intimidate most people. He keeps a detailed journal to document every foot of the trek to prove to himself that the goal has been achieved, sometimes making the complete journey in sections over several years. The author invites the reader to take an exciting vicarious trip along the 1,100 mile coast of California and the 867 miles through Britain on the famous John O’Groats to Land’s End trail.There are all kinds of hazards for the walker: inclement weather, narrow roads where two cars passing can press you up against a cliffside or thorny hedge, colliding with a bike without lights, wild animals, domestic animals (dogs), getting lost, motorways with heavy traffic, roundabouts with no crosswalks, dangerous neighborhoods, poisonous plants, blisters, sore knees, biting insects, rising tide at the shoreline, just to name a few.Alan Cook describes all these with fascinating detail and droll humor in his captivating book that covers walks in the USA (every state!), Canada, Europe, North Africa (Morocco), Turkey, the South Pacific, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. A favorite place is Greece. Mr. Cook is a believer in the health benefits of walking just a few miles a day at a comfortable pace. He gives lots of practical advice for walkers and hikers.Bonny, Mr. Cook’s soulmate and bride of over four decades, often accompanies her determined husband on his walking treks. For the longer journeys, she drops him off and drives to a meeting point about 25 to 35 miles ahead. While he is walking during the day, she visits relatives (they both have many in England and Scotland) and does genealogy research. They stay at small hotels or B&Bs, catching up on the day’s adventures.This is much more than a travel book. It is a love story, including endearing poems at the start of some chapters. Several of these poems express the author’s love for his wife, his family, and nature, and the sheer joy of feeling at one with the universe. Others capture scenes of the dynamic history of the ancient world.
