Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90781 in Books
• Published on: 1996-06-06
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Synopsis
This is the Omnibus edition of Mark Wallington's two humour/travel classics featuring the much-loved Boogie. In "500 Mile Walkies", Mark and Boogie tackle Britains longest coastal footpath - from Somerset to Devon, from Cornwall to Dorset. ("The humorous travel book we've been waiting for" - "Daily Mail") In "Boogie Up The River", man and dog take to the water to trace the source of the Thames in a siff of the same vintage as "Three Men in a Boat". Boogie is flatulent, streetwise yet still lovable and Mark Wallington is the natural successor to Jerome K. Jerome.

From the Publisher
Classic humour in the English countryside - 500 Mile Walkies and Boogie Up the River now in one volume.

From the Back Cover
Classic humour in the English countryside.

Travels with Boogie is the story of two city slickers – one an unattractive but streetwise mongrel from Stockwell, the other the long-suffering author – and how they came to terms with England’s countryside and waterways.

First they had to survive against all odds as they embarked on a heroic journey up hill and down dale, with rucksacks full of Kennomeat, along Britain’s longest coastal footpath – from Somerset to Devon, from Cornwall to Dorset. And they did it. Then, undaunted, they took on the treacherous waters of the Thames. Not exactly as Mark had planned, however: this time his companion was to be the delectable Jennifer – but she was held up at the office, and when Boogie was dropped off at the kennels the other dogs complained.

Travels with Boogie is a witty and fascinating account of a mismatched couple and of the people they meet and places they visit.

‘The humorous travel book we’ve been waiting for’ Daily Mail

Customer Reviews

Irresistible!
I've just read some excerpts from '500 Mile Walkies' to a group of friends staying together in Minehead and they roared with laughter and absolutely loved it - in fact they all vociferously demanded details of where they could get the book, so MW (if you're listening) I may have upped your sales a bit! As a dog-lover and dedicated coast path walker I am devoted to this book and re-read it regularly: there's nothing that cheers me up more effectively on a cold, grey winter evening than following once again that delightful journey with Boogie.

My five stars are strictly for '500 Mile Walkies'. I agree with other reviewers that 'Boogie up the River' is much less appealing, though still a worthwhile read. The situations are contrived, the characters much less agreeable - especially the odious Jennifer - and the whole thing compares very badly with its obvious inspiration, 'Three Men in a Boat'. There are some delightful moments, however, as with the American great-grandmother who 'likes to eat'.

'Pennine Walkies' is also an agreeable read. The dog obviously isn't the same Boogie, but the uneasy man-dog partnership is still amusing and the endearing dottiness that was so conspicuously lacking in the characters of 'Boogie up the River' is back again here. And I like the running jokes, such as the items of discarded female clothing that keep appearing by the side of the path...

dog tails
I'm a sucker for dog tales....as I expect most dog owners are!
I enjoyed this....it did make me laugh....and if you enjoy this I suggest you try out 'Shakespeare My Butt! (John Donoghue) - a summertime adventure with a pup around the more bizarre named places in the UK and Marley and Me (John Grogan) life with a labrador. For me...I enjoy the madcap adventures as much as the dog tales...so Wallington and Donoghue pip Grogan at the post....but if you have the time...try all 3!

Believe me, it's true
As one of the unfortunates who lived with the mongrel in question in his early days in Stockwell when he first began to acquire the street cred. so useful in later years I can guarantee the reader the enjoyment these tales so faithfully impart. Mark writes with a refreshing honesty and simplicity of his travels and uses Boogey as the perfect reflection of his own carefree outlook on life in general. It doesn't hurt that the dog in question started out in life with an uncanny ability to go beyond the bounds of the normal dog / human relationship and clearly this ability has grown with the years.

Nothing stunningly new, nothing stunningly profound but simply a good tale told well. You won't regret the purchase or the time taken to enjoy it.