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The Hike

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About this listen

Freddy, Phil and Don are three grumpy old men, travelling at various speeds in the slow lane of retirement, at a loss to understand the mad modern world around them.

Their chosen method of escape from all this is a shared weekly hike in the Peak District, come gale, hail, snow or torrential rain. They pass the time bumping into colourful and eccentric locals, but their real passion is bickering among themselves. Not only about the right path to take, but also about where they're all going at the fag end of life. Phil likes to dash up hills trying to beat his personal best, while Freddy plots how to sabotage him - teasing him at leisure and asking deep and difficult questions. Stuck in the middle, Don's only ambition is to stop the squabbling getting out of hand long enough to find a nice pub for lunch.

As warm as the wind is cold, as dry as the lashing rain is wet, The Hike is a hilarious tale of bum-warmers, crayfish-fanciers, East German Trabant enthusiasts, bodger philosophers, sticky ginger cake, gorgeous countryside and the subtle art of 'onedownmanship'.

 Hiking Outdoors & Nature Travel Writing & Commentary Walking Funny Witty

Critic reviews

Funny, warm and elegiac - Last of the Summer Wine meets A Year in Provence
A masterpiece ... had me crying with laughter
A minor classic ... You should buy this
All stars
Most relevant
Excellent narration. A year of walks split across the 12 months (chapters) and persistent banter between 2 of the 3 main characters. Other characters add colour. Think that if you are unfamiliar with the area and its walks the book might falter. It is the countryside that is a fourth main character and some would argue the main one, but probably only if you know the area. Human warmth and occasional human frailty peeps through. Best for the reminders of own walks undertaken and to be repeated, as one was immediately on finishing the book. Pleased to have listened and read.

Best Appreciated if you Walk in Derbyshire

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