Reviews

From a poetic prologue, Lambert bounds like a Cavapoo into a captivating, well-paced travel tale. She writes with observational humour, wit, satire, and a soupçon of sarcasm to tell an entertaining story that is (not just) a madcap jaunt in a van with pups. Her nimble writing rivals Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux, painting exquisite travel descriptions on a background of well-researched historical context, and reflecting with heart and humour on the human experience and the New Normal. Pour a cuppa—PG Tips, please—and enjoy. (5*). I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R12867H9RJMMPI

Jackie and Mark are off on another adventure with their four pups, a pandemic, separation and funny situations. We have traveled around in our Airstream a bit so I could easily visualize the events and the locales were vivid. The story hits every emotion hard and fast, sometimes turning on a dime with surprises. Totally enjoyed the escape and hope Jackie keeps us up on their exploits. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1LJPJS2KQGIST

What happens when you are a couple who has given up their home and is now traveling around Europe (trying to beat Brexit changes so that you CAN travel) while in a large transport with 4 dogs and then something even more unexpected occurs? You roll with the punches if you are Jackie Lambert, that’s what! Jackie, her husband Mark, and 4 adorable cavapoos find themselves in Europe in March 2020 and even better they are in Italian ski country, staying in a hotel when the world stops. We all know how we reacted when we were in our own spaces but what do you do when you don’t have a fixed base and no way out? In this book she tells of their experiences dealing with bureaucracy and lockdown enforcement. As the first to face the first implications of Covid, Italy lead the way for others and we all think we know what it was like to live there at that time, but do we? In the news here in the US, we saw Italians singing on their balconies while accompanied by musicians on THEIR balconies. Those images came from the big cities. Was the same reality faced by those living in the remote countryside like Jackie and Mark? Jackie also discusses the implications of world politics on the Covid reaction. As an American, I often think I understand a lot about Boris Johnson, but after reading Jackie’s descriptions of his background, I got a whole new understanding of how that played on his reaction to the world situation. With all that said, this is a book intertwined with well-balanced humor and gravitas and it works. It is well written and informative. I have read Jackie’s other books and loved them. This book takes her writing to yet another level. Read, read, read to find out! You can certainly begin your reading of this series with this book, but definitely go back and read the rest. I am looking forward to the next installment of this “story.” *I was gifted an advance copy of this book however this review is my honest, unbiased opinion. https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1P502BW7JD43G

This is the third book I've read by Jacqueline Lambert, and as always it is a great mix of personal experience, history and description. Owing to the circumstances of Brexit and Lockdown, Mark and Jackie's normal nomadic lifestyle was curtailed and this book focuses more on what it was to experience lockdown in the mountains of northern Italy. Very well written with a good helping of humour, plenty of factual references as extras and a side serving of opinion, I enjoyed reading about her and Mark's months trapped in a very beautiful prison. And of course, being a doggy person myself, I loved the dogs' antics as well. I think this will be a book that future readers will be amazed by when the pandemic itself is just a memory. We are already forgetting what everyone went through in 2020 and Jackie's book served to remind me of the awful restrictions but also the rare and unexpected upsides. Thank you, Jackie! https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3LFAAIOKDUY09

Having also been abroad during Brexit and Covid, I was fascinated to read someone else's experiences. I could so empathise with all Jacqueline went through, the relief when it was all over, if not totally agree with her political views. Great read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R101H5CV8990XD

I’ve loved all of Jackie’s books, she has a brilliant way of describing her travels so that you feel you are actually riding along beside her, Mark her husband, and their four adorable cavapoos as they tow their caravan around Europe and into lots of scrapes and adventures. I’m always amazed at how resilient and optimistic they are – even when their caravan is firmly stuck in the mud or the lane they are travelling down gets narrower by the minute. In this latest book, not only do they have to race against time to leave the UK before Britain exits the EU... they also have the small matter of Covid to contend with. There’s a good dose of politics, panic and the pandemic in the book and Jackie writes with a raw honesty about how all these issues affect their daily lives and ability to travel. There is a wonderful mixture of sightseeing and descriptions of the places they visit, all brought to life by the local people and customs they encounter. This book is a great insight into their adventurous caravanning world and very entertaining. Highly recommended. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R1WNI05DFZ7QNB

I've read two of Jacqueline Lambert's previous books in her Adventure Caravanning with Dogs series, and really enjoyed them. I reckon this latest book is her best yet! Jacqueline and Mark earn money from renting property, this funds their travelling lifestyle. For this trip they intended to travel Spain, and spend the winter skiing in Italy. Brexit could affect their plans. And the hassles just build up. What a nightmare! The book has a bright, lovely style, and fairly brief chapters move it on nicely. As in her other books, the surroundings are beautifully described, and the history of the area. It's interesting and informative, as well as hugely entertaining. Great book. A good balance of fun and experiences, and not too much about brexit/ complaining etc. Good mix. As soon as I see her musical references, it has me singing them! A lovely addition for me. There are some interesting facts and figures throughout the book. It's never exhaustive though, just popped in between relevant happenings to them. Medical, current, and with the brexit etc, also travel, animals, fun, musical refs. All in all, it’s an absolutely packed read with lots of info, facts and figures, history, description, but it never becomes boring. So much content. I know it's because so much happened this time they were away, but it's on another level to her other books, which are very pleasant trips through various countries with their doggies in tow. Lovely reads, but this one is where things come to a head, and a more packed and better book emerges from all that. More feeling comes through the writing etc. I didn't just read a book, I learned something. I learned lots. And had some good laughs too. Great book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R1Z89BACW8A767

When Jackie, Mark, and the fab four Cavapoos race to leave England before the possible Brexit deadline on October 31st 2019, they have no idea that four months later they will be facing a different disaster. Staying in their beloved ski resort in Mt Rosa, Italy, they are locked down when Covid hits. This isn't just a book about Covid and Brexit, although I was fascinated to hear about the reality of lockdown in Europe's worst hit country. It's written in Jackie's usual punny style, with lots of travelers tales and historic facts. How they coped with the isolation of a small ski village is fascinating reading. And I'm already looking forward to the next installment. This is the latest in a series, but can be read as a stand alone book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R38RHO0OLY1UTG

According to the blurb this is the fourth in a series of true travel memoirs but my first (when I checked there are four others so not sure if this is the fifth)? This book is set in France and Italy during the coronavirus pandemic as the intrepid couple and their four legged pals set off once again on a caravanning adventure that turned out to be more adventurous than they expected. I like the short chapters and pithy nature of the read and the author has a great way with words that had me smiling, a lot. Briefly, Jackie and Mark are on another road trip with their four cavapoos, wanting to get a last trip in before Brexit hits and the dogs no longer have pet passports. As they are looking forward to a skiing holiday in the Italian Alps Covid rears it’s ugly head and they are trapped, miles away from friends and family. Although there are the anticipated tales of mishap and humour this is also a rather sad tale of a family literally torn apart by a pandemic. There is a bit of political ‘commentary’ and a lot of beautiful descriptions and some interesting historical references. All in all this is a good fun lighthearted read and I enjoyed it a lot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R3QEB5Y1J35NGE

Brexit is a reality, and new regulations will impact the author and her husband’s nomadic lifestyle. Do they stay put? No. Fearful that their beloved Cavapoo dogs’ passports will become invalid if the UK leaves without a deal, they pack up and head for Italy. But it isn’t plain sailing. Adverse weather, financial worries and misadventures hound the family as they drive across Europe. Finally, they make it to their favourite Italian resort to face a new challenge. Covid. And they are locked down. The book is filled with fun stories and honesty about their challenges, too. Jacqueline’s accounts of the difficulties associated with social isolation and the politics at the time are insightful. They are beautifully balanced with vivid descriptions of the fabulous countryside that becomes their temporary home. As an established fan of the author’s writing, I loved this book. Interwoven throughout are enchanting tales about their four adored dogs, which were a highlight for me. Her empathetic, colourful style is warm and easy to read, and I always come away having learned more about the countries she and her family have visited. I look forward to the next episode in their travels. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R2DTMDHVZ3LL3G

Jackie and Mark have to make a hurried departure from the UK as the Brexit deadline looms. They make their way through France and on into Italy to their rented apartment in Staffal, the 'Monte Rosa Ski Paradise' For a few months all seemed to be going well, lots walking with their lovable pups. Snow came and they enjoyed skiing. Then Covid strikes and they are locked down. It brought back to mind all the difficulties and anxieties that beset us when this happened. Freedoms that we took for granted were denied us. For Jackie and Mark they were faced with isolation in a remote area which brought about some real challenges. However, as ever Jackie writes with honesty and humour,. She's a very talented writer and I enjoyed all the historical information she weaves in when describing their travels and of course her vivid descriptions and laugh out loud moments! Her take on the background to Brexit was very apt! It's a very interesting and entertaining read. Thanks Jackie. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R2OVJMZ8XBAAGQ