Vagabond by Mark Eveleigh

Vagabond

 by Mark Eveleigh



Vagabond by Mark Eveleigh

  Published on 8th August 2024 by Summersdale. 

My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to

 Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part on the tour.





Synopsis


This incredible true story of one man's 1,225-km hike across the Iberian Peninsula is a celebration of rural Spain along the road less travelled Inspired by a nomadic "vagabundo" he met decades ago, travel writer Mark Eveleigh eschews the fast pace of modern life and sets off on a solo hike 1,225 km across the Iberian Peninsula - from Gibraltar in the far south to Estaca de Bares, Spain's most northerly tip - carrying just a backpack and a hammock. Hiking through sleepy siesta-hour plazas, shady cork forests and heat-shimmering plains, the hours would be long, dusty and hot. But, as Mark passes through the many small villages and communities en route, his trek comes to be characterized most of all by the sharing of stories, the true kindness of strangers, and the unbridled freedom of the open road. Recounting Mark's fascinating nomadic journey through Spain's least-visited region, Extremadura, Vagabond is a homage to the disappearing lifestyle of the vagabundo, as well as a celebration of rural Spain and its forgotten communities. It reminds us of the value of slowing down and finding connection with others, and the beauty that can be found in taking life one step at a time.






My Review



For me this is one of those travel books to savour rather than to rush through. I work on the principle that if it takes a month to physically do a walk then it takes me that long to read it . Consequently I have been reading the book slowly , researching the different places on this 1,225 - km route that Mark took from Gibraltar to Estaca de Bares so that in many respects I feel that I am in the walk with him , without the pain of actually physically walking that distance. 

This is an incredible story from start to finish, though I haven’t finished it yet  as we are currently at Proserpina reservoir and I too am singing Jerusalem at the top of my voice to , thankfully, an empty house !!!!

The narrative is incredibly easy to read and Mark tells of his travels , warts and all, in a style that does have you feeling as though you are walking the journey with him, slinging your hammock up beside his in the wilderness and feeling the intense heat that was prevalent that summer ( in hindsight not the best season to be doing the walk). Immersing yourself in the natural surroundings as he experiences the wildlife at nights and learning about the history of the places he visits is enthralling.

I would recommend that you do as I am , and research the route whilst reading the book as it really does create an incredible read and  the feeling as though you are part of it.

I am now wondering where Mark may choose to walk to next as I put on my walking boots to do a short 10km walk around my local woods.



About the Author



British writer Mark Eveleigh bases himself between Bali and South Africa when he's not chasing travel stories for the likes of the BBC, CNN, National Geographic Traveller and The Telegraph. He spent 16 years living in Spain and returned recently to fulfil his ambition to hike coast-to-coast - the long way - across the country with a backpack and his trusty hammock.

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