Bookworm-Abroad

31/10/2026

31/08/2026

Somewhat belatedly I have completed reading the books by Terry Darlington describing his unusual journeys by narrowboat along with his wife Monica and their dog Jim, then also Jess. Narrow Dog to Carcassonne, Narrow Dog to Indian River, and Narrow Dog to Wigan Pier. I don't know why it took me so long. I stocked this years ago and can remember a guy on Long Eaton market asking for it while I was packing up, and he was short of the price. I let him have it, and somehow he got the right door to put the money in an envelope (possibly the Bookworm Abroad van outside) a good while later, or was it the book he returned? old age and bad memory. But for whatever reason I never got round to reading it until this year and was then so enchanted I immediately went off to find the other two on Ebay. Finished yesterday and would have liked to leave a comment, also find out what happened since.........

Very sad but not surprised to read that Terry died last October at what must have been an advanced age as he was born before the war. I'm sure he didn't need to hear one more fan of his books saying how much they had enjoyed reading them, and since he can't know now, I'm telling you lot instead! He was a remarkable man in many ways not just his narrowboating or writing, and his humour was infectious.
I think it is important for good authors to know their work is appreciated so that's a reminder not to leave years before you get round to reading something and if you feel so moved, show your appreciation. I can't remember who (oops) but I did message one author and got a very nice reply after being so moved by the book I wanted to say thanks.
On the other hand, I wanted to take issue with another author about how the book ended (without a definite conclusion leaving the reader to decide what next) and couldn't find a way to ask for even a hint.

In their seventies Terry and Monica Darlington travelled widely in their narrowboat Phyllis May, in England, France and the USA.  Terry wrote books about their adventures.  Monica acted as his manager and Jim and Jess acted as their dogs.

24/08/2026

Nice write up!

07/07/2026

absolutely brilliant New Forest Folk festival, straight after Alfold Rock and Blues, so one very tired, hot and bothered Bookworm, but yet again they delivered - 4 empty book boxes and several bags down from the start, let alone how many bags of clothes and not to mention the 3 big boxes of stock I had shipped down there to top up since the van was full.
This is the satisfaction, happy customers, and all those books, cds and clothes I carefully curate the rest of the year going home with new and happy owners, and me going home suitably financially rewarded. The biggest frustration without year round markets, as I used to have outside festival season, is the lack of reward in seeing everything making a new owner happy - all that buying and hunting down the best possible stock without anything going out, just being stockpiled for the time being. So quite apart from being in fresh air, feet on the grass, fantastic music, seeing old friends and making new ones, and earning some decent money, it's just so nice to see things being matched to new owners.
Have to say that this year the heat has been a killer, and added to the exhaustion stakes so I'm not at all unhappy to have a couple of weeks off now...........

25/06/2026

Heading to https://alfoldrockblues.com/ today to attempt to survive heatstroke getting the stall up ready for the early birds this evening and the full festival from tomorrow. Will be interesting to see if people are too hot to shop and how it is compared to my last appearance here in 2023!

Home page of Alfold Rock-Blues, an event from Alfold. A weekend music festival of classic rock and blues held at Springbok Estate Alfold Surrey on 3-6 July 2025

30/05/2025

Bookworm Abroad/Mystic Mackerel Marvellous Tees is happy to be off a mere 5 miles down the road to https://www.facebook.com/HopeFestCoalville
this weekend, a mini music festival with very reasonable ticket prices and in aid of local charities including Rainbows Hospice.

HOPE FEST IS BACK! Saturday 31st May & Sunday 1st June at Broom Leys Farm raising money for charities in our community!

28/12/2024

Read. It's good for your brain, and apparently stress levels.

My job as a book critic used to elicit envy at cocktail parties, with people fantasising about a life spent reading. Now it’s more likely to trigger sheepish admissions from partygoers about not reading as much as they’d like to — as if I’m going to spring a pop quiz on Moby-Dick. Long gone ...

16/11/2024

Anyone for a tshirt and do some good at the same time?

10/11/2024

It's that time of year when next year's festival calendar is starting to be filled in, at first with just the regular festivals of which there are only 5 left, plus one new one from last year I am keen to do again and add to the regulars. Two more of those I have asked about/applied for, but that's still only 7 which does not a season make, so the search continues for events worth asking about, and then it's down to whether or not they think I'm ok to apply. The worst part about being accepted is the need to pay the pitch fee at exactly the time there is hardly any income..........and hard to believe there will ever be a summer, since we haven't even seen the sun for several weeks!