Product Description

Keen to discover some of France's lesser-known attractions, Susie Kelly and her husband Terry embarked with their two dogs on a 10,000 kilometre journey, where they encountered exploding gherkins, killer waves, chilli-flavoured chocolates, sinister submarines, and pitchforks grown in fields. They crossed the historic paths of Charlemagne, Vauban and William the Bastard, and the battlefields of two world wars, and were bewitched by Bayeux's tapestry. Bovine-friendly courses Camarguaises and a transhumance provided entertainment; distressed birds required assistance, and hospitality was offered by characters kind, charming and quirky. The camper van's exhaust falling off into the road on the first day, and one of the dogs persistently trying to eat the vehicle and its contents, did nothing to spoil their magical voyage along the Brittany, Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, the mountains of the Pyrenees and Alps, the length of the Rhine, the borders of north-eastern France, and the Channel. This cornucopia of sights, sensations, legends and history is a must-read that will enchant Francophiles and armchair travellers everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #109879 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From the Publisher
A light-hearted and inspiring guide to getting the most out of life

From the Back Cover
Keen to discover some of France’s lesser-known attractions, Susie Kelly , her husband Terry and their two dogs embarked on a 10,000-kilometre journey, where they encountered exploding gherkins, killer waves, chilli-flavoured chocolates and sinister submarines.

They crossed the historic paths of Charlemagne, Vauban and William the Bastard, the battlefields of two world wars and were bewitched by the Bayeux tapestry. The camper van’s exhaust falling off into the road on the first day, and one of the dogs persistently trying to eat the vehicle and its contents, did nothing to spoil their magical trip. The wonderful hospitality offered by characters kind, charming and quirky, enhanced it even further.

A cornucopia of sights, sensations, legends and history, A Perfect Circle is a must-read that will enchant Francophiles and armchair travellers everywhere.

Two Steps Backward‘A heart-warming and entertaining tale’ Living France

About the Author
Susie Kelly emigrated from London to Kenya with her parents at the age of seven, and endured a convent education until she was expelled for refusing to devote her Saturday mornings to making doll's clothes, as she preferred to go horse riding. In 1975 she returned to live in England with a husband and two small children. Since then she has acquired a second and much better husband, a fine son-in-law and four gorgeous grandchildren - Catherine, Jamie, Jasmine and Leonie. Home is an ancient farmhouse, in the process of renovation, in southwest France, shared with a menagerie of goats, horses, dogs, cats, parrots and fish. She is the author of two books Best Foot Forward and Two Steps Backward, both published by Bantam Books.

Customer Reviews

Je l'ai adoré!
This is a 'must-read' for anyone who loves France or is planning a trip there in the near future. It is packed with places and anecdotes that make you want to set off on the road yourself, touring the perimeters of la belle France, though perhaps not with two enormous, boisterous dogs stuffed into the back of your campervan. Those who have read 'Best Foot Forward' and 'One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards' will already be familiar with Susie Kelly's quirky, observational style of travel writing and gentle, wry sense of humour. Unlike many books on France, it does not fall into the usual trap of being hideously smug or mocking the French but instead is hilariously funny in places and throughout, her genuine interest in the people and places she is visiting,and her affection for France, shines through. (Plus there are some useful tips on places to avoid, such as one or two very grim chateaux.) Allez acheter toute de suite!

A Baedeker with dogs, pitchforks and absinthe.
Susie Kelly's account of her journey around the perimeter of France with her husband, their dogs and their much abused campervan 'Tinkerbelle' is an interesting and amusing read.

Written with elements of the joie de vivre and eccentricity of Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men In A Boat and E.M. Forster's A Room With A View, the book provides the reader with a wonderful ambling journey through the French countryside.

The book is not without it's weaknesses, the main one being that so much is packed within the writing that you can become swamped with information. The map at the front of the book is a welcome tool for keeping track but it lacks detail and can leave you unsure as to where you are, geographically, within the book. Other weakness are possibly due to the singular narrative of the book and in places the contribution of Kelly's husband, Terry, would have possibly provided an interesting, alternative perception of proceedings.

These are minor asides though as Kelly manages to hold the reader with her passion for the eccentricities fo French life and her clear love of the country.

Also enjoyable is Kelly's detailing of the more unusual bits and pieces of French history which can, at points, be both funny and touching.

As someone keen to learn more about France and her delights this book is a nice, gentle introduction. It provides much information as to what to see and do in various places but probably the best advice gleaned from this book is that you should never attempt this journey if you are a vegetarian dog lover with a slightly below par camper van.

Another cracking read
This book has been long awaited and much enjoyed. Having been told by my mother that on this journey she would be taking Dad, 2 dogs, laptops and Tinkerbell round France all I could do was wait for the book to arrive and to then sit and do nothing else until I had read it cover to cover!

The only disappointment is that the book is far too short, as I love the way Mum writes and the tears have rolled down my face with the stories of Dobbie, Tally, Dad and other strange people along the way! I have inherited my Mums skill at map reading so I know what it is like to have 'the driver' cussing and tutting at me while being confined in a vehicle with no means of escape!

I have no idea where the next travel will take us, but I know that the journey will be as fantastic and as informative as this one. I have leart so much about the history of the places they have visited and feel that the history of France has been touched upon in an enlightening and educational manner.

A Fantastic read and can't wait for the next one.