Peter Mortimer

I get the impression that the book is self published. The writer, Mr Mortimer, is based a few miles down the Northumberland coast in Cullercoats. He decides to 'exile' himself to Holy Island for 100 days and to write a book about it. His 'exile' involves living in a comfortable holiday cottage in a small village with at least three pubs, several cafes and a bus service to the nearest large town and visited by large numbers of tourists. The resultant book is in diary form of his daily experience. Which involves inflicting himself on residents whilst taking little or no interest in his surroundings. He comes across as a dislikeable personality, which to be fair, he admits from time to time. Most of the village residents want nothing to do with him once he has told them he is there to write a book which is basically about them. Quite a number of times he takes the trouble to remind us that he is a writer, giving me the impression that he is trying to convince himself as mush as his readers. The end result of the book is that we learn much more about Mr Mortimer than we do about Holy Island. But, again, he fleetingly admits that was his purpose in writing. The outcome for me anyway is that I've learned more than enough about him. A writer he may well be but not a very good one.… (meer)

What is lymphoedema? How does it start? Can it be cured? Will it go away by itself? Can anything be done to reduce the swelling? All too often people with lymphoedema are told that nothing can be done and that they must learn to live with it. The purpose of this booklet is to help you become the expert in your own treatment. It shows you how to manage the condition yourself with good skin care, an appropriate pressure garment, exercise, and massage. By making the advice given here a part of your daily activity you will be able to control the swelling and its effects.… (meer)

I had high hopes for this book. To read how someone fared with facing their own challenge of an arduous walk with no money and no prospect of lodgings. However, the author disappointed me on so many counts; the lifts he accepted (surely cheating), the food he stole, his attitude to the sensible folk who wouldn't let a stranger into their home, the list goes on. He seemed to have luck on his side with the amount of chiropodists who happily treated his feet for free! Hmmm, maybe the possibility of a mention in his book snaffled him these kindnesses? I got the strong feeling that this book was set up from the word go. He got too lucky with all the charitable folk he met along the way, I for one would definitely not let a stranger into my home - especially if there were young children in it. No, it all seemed a tad fake to me, not to mention tedious. In many parts the guy came across as ungrateful and selfish, thinking only of himself and not understanding why some people chose to turn him away.… (meer)

This is flat out my favourite travel book. Mortimer and his dog set out to walk from London to Edinburough without a plan and without a dime. He has no idea where his next meal is going to come from, or where he's going to sleep that night. Every day he has to find a helpful soul who will lend him a hand. That leads to a bit of built-in suspense, which combined with his descriptions of the characters he meets, makes the book a whole lot of fun. This is a thoughtful and fascinating piece of travel literature.… (meer)