Author: Melanie Wentz
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 1466871490
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 343
Book Description
Visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales? Don't miss Narnia, Wonderland, Hogwarts and Middle-Earth! If you're planning a trip abroad--or just a flight of fancy into literature's best-loved magical lands--Melanie Wentz's Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is a wonderful chance to read all about the creation of your favorite children's books. This book is both a practical travel guide for your family vacation to the UK, and a terrific source of armchair-travel fascination. Each chapter covers classics such as Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear for the youngest tourists, Alice in Wonderland, Kidnapped and The Secret Garden for the older kids, and C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books for everyone. Read about the real chocolate factory that made such an impression on the young Roald Dahl, or the cozy pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien introduced their friends to Narnia and hobbits. Treat your kids to a visit to the real "100 Aker Wood" that helped A.A. Milne create Winnie the Pooh, or the station where Thomas the Tank Engine lives. And enjoy the many original illustrations that made the books so distinctive on their first publications. From parents who grew up on Wind in the Willows, Mary Poppins and Peter Pan to kids who thrill to Harry Potter, Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is a must-have addition to the libraries of children--and adults--everywhere.
Once Upon a Time in Great Britain
Author: Melanie Wentz
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 1466871490
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 343
Book Description
Visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales? Don't miss Narnia, Wonderland, Hogwarts and Middle-Earth! If you're planning a trip abroad--or just a flight of fancy into literature's best-loved magical lands--Melanie Wentz's Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is a wonderful chance to read all about the creation of your favorite children's books. This book is both a practical travel guide for your family vacation to the UK, and a terrific source of armchair-travel fascination. Each chapter covers classics such as Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear for the youngest tourists, Alice in Wonderland, Kidnapped and The Secret Garden for the older kids, and C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books for everyone. Read about the real chocolate factory that made such an impression on the young Roald Dahl, or the cozy pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien introduced their friends to Narnia and hobbits. Treat your kids to a visit to the real "100 Aker Wood" that helped A.A. Milne create Winnie the Pooh, or the station where Thomas the Tank Engine lives. And enjoy the many original illustrations that made the books so distinctive on their first publications. From parents who grew up on Wind in the Willows, Mary Poppins and Peter Pan to kids who thrill to Harry Potter, Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is a must-have addition to the libraries of children--and adults--everywhere.
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 1466871490
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 343
Book Description
Visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales? Don't miss Narnia, Wonderland, Hogwarts and Middle-Earth! If you're planning a trip abroad--or just a flight of fancy into literature's best-loved magical lands--Melanie Wentz's Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is a wonderful chance to read all about the creation of your favorite children's books. This book is both a practical travel guide for your family vacation to the UK, and a terrific source of armchair-travel fascination. Each chapter covers classics such as Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear for the youngest tourists, Alice in Wonderland, Kidnapped and The Secret Garden for the older kids, and C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books for everyone. Read about the real chocolate factory that made such an impression on the young Roald Dahl, or the cozy pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien introduced their friends to Narnia and hobbits. Treat your kids to a visit to the real "100 Aker Wood" that helped A.A. Milne create Winnie the Pooh, or the station where Thomas the Tank Engine lives. And enjoy the many original illustrations that made the books so distinctive on their first publications. From parents who grew up on Wind in the Willows, Mary Poppins and Peter Pan to kids who thrill to Harry Potter, Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is a must-have addition to the libraries of children--and adults--everywhere.
Once Upon a Time in England
Author: Helen Walsh
Publisher: Open Road + Grove/Atlantic
ISBN: 0802191525
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 280
Book Description
A working-class family struggles to overcome prejudice in this “utterly gripping” novel of pride, loyalty and love from the acclaimed author of Brass (She). On the coldest night of 1975, Robbie Fitzgerald sprints through the snowy streets of a northern British town. With a Van Morrison-meets-Robert Johnson singing voice, the young crooner is on the verge of his big break, with the legendary producer Dickie Vaughn attending his show. Both his own dreams and those of his young family are on the line. Meanwhile, in a rough neighborhood on the other side of town, Robbie’s young wife Susheela and his son wait for him, as they must all too often. But when Susheela falls victim to a monstrous hate crime, the balance of their lives is thrown off-kilter—and everything they hoped for may be lost forever . . . In this absorbing story of the awkwardness of youth and the necessary maturity that comes with age, Walsh has created “the kind of book whose events you find yourself repeating to friends” (The Daily Telegraph).
Publisher: Open Road + Grove/Atlantic
ISBN: 0802191525
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 280
Book Description
A working-class family struggles to overcome prejudice in this “utterly gripping” novel of pride, loyalty and love from the acclaimed author of Brass (She). On the coldest night of 1975, Robbie Fitzgerald sprints through the snowy streets of a northern British town. With a Van Morrison-meets-Robert Johnson singing voice, the young crooner is on the verge of his big break, with the legendary producer Dickie Vaughn attending his show. Both his own dreams and those of his young family are on the line. Meanwhile, in a rough neighborhood on the other side of town, Robbie’s young wife Susheela and his son wait for him, as they must all too often. But when Susheela falls victim to a monstrous hate crime, the balance of their lives is thrown off-kilter—and everything they hoped for may be lost forever . . . In this absorbing story of the awkwardness of youth and the necessary maturity that comes with age, Walsh has created “the kind of book whose events you find yourself repeating to friends” (The Daily Telegraph).
Once Upon a River
Author: Diane Setterfield
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
ISBN: 074329808X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 496
Book Description
From the instant #1 New York Times bestselling author of the “eerie and fascinating” (USA TODAY) The Thirteenth Tale comes a “swift and entrancing, profound and beautiful” (Madeline Miller, internationally bestselling author of Circe) novel about how we explain the world to ourselves, ourselves to others, and the meaning of our lives in a universe that remains impenetrably mysterious. On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed. Those who dwell on the river bank apply all their ingenuity to solving the puzzle of the girl who died and lived again, yet as the days pass the mystery only deepens. The child herself is mute and unable to answer the essential questions: Who is she? Where did she come from? And to whom does she belong? But answers proliferate nonetheless. Three families are keen to claim her. A wealthy young mother knows the girl is her kidnapped daughter, missing for two years. A farming family reeling from the discovery of their son’s secret liaison stand ready to welcome their granddaughter. The parson’s housekeeper, humble and isolated, sees in the child the image of her younger sister. But the return of a lost child is not without complications and no matter how heartbreaking the past losses, no matter how precious the child herself, this girl cannot be everyone’s. Each family has mysteries of its own, and many secrets must be revealed before the girl’s identity can be known. Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry of a book that combines folklore and science, magic and myth. Suspenseful, romantic, and richly atmospheric, this is “a beguiling tale, full of twists and turns like the river at its heart, and just as rich and intriguing” (M.L. Stedman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light Between Oceans).
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
ISBN: 074329808X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 496
Book Description
From the instant #1 New York Times bestselling author of the “eerie and fascinating” (USA TODAY) The Thirteenth Tale comes a “swift and entrancing, profound and beautiful” (Madeline Miller, internationally bestselling author of Circe) novel about how we explain the world to ourselves, ourselves to others, and the meaning of our lives in a universe that remains impenetrably mysterious. On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed. Those who dwell on the river bank apply all their ingenuity to solving the puzzle of the girl who died and lived again, yet as the days pass the mystery only deepens. The child herself is mute and unable to answer the essential questions: Who is she? Where did she come from? And to whom does she belong? But answers proliferate nonetheless. Three families are keen to claim her. A wealthy young mother knows the girl is her kidnapped daughter, missing for two years. A farming family reeling from the discovery of their son’s secret liaison stand ready to welcome their granddaughter. The parson’s housekeeper, humble and isolated, sees in the child the image of her younger sister. But the return of a lost child is not without complications and no matter how heartbreaking the past losses, no matter how precious the child herself, this girl cannot be everyone’s. Each family has mysteries of its own, and many secrets must be revealed before the girl’s identity can be known. Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry of a book that combines folklore and science, magic and myth. Suspenseful, romantic, and richly atmospheric, this is “a beguiling tale, full of twists and turns like the river at its heart, and just as rich and intriguing” (M.L. Stedman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light Between Oceans).
English Literature: A Very Short Introduction
Author: Jonathan Bate
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191614297
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
Sweeping across two millennia and every literary genre, acclaimed scholar and biographer Jonathan Bate provides a dazzling introduction to English Literature. The focus is wide, shifting from the birth of the novel and the brilliance of English comedy to the deep Englishness of landscape poetry and the ethnic diversity of Britain's Nobel literature laureates. It goes on to provide a more in-depth analysis, with close readings from an extraordinary scene in King Lear to a war poem by Carol Ann Duffy, and a series of striking examples of how literary texts change as they are transmitted from writer to reader. The narrative embraces not only the major literary movements such as Romanticism and Modernism, together with the most influential authors including Chaucer, Donne, Johnson, Wordsworth, Austen, Dickens and Woolf, but also little-known stories such as the identity of the first English woman poet to be honoured with a collected edition of her works. Written with the flair and passion for which Jonathan Bate has become renowned, this book is the perfect Very Short Introduction for all readers and students of the incomparable literary heritage of these islands. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191614297
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
Sweeping across two millennia and every literary genre, acclaimed scholar and biographer Jonathan Bate provides a dazzling introduction to English Literature. The focus is wide, shifting from the birth of the novel and the brilliance of English comedy to the deep Englishness of landscape poetry and the ethnic diversity of Britain's Nobel literature laureates. It goes on to provide a more in-depth analysis, with close readings from an extraordinary scene in King Lear to a war poem by Carol Ann Duffy, and a series of striking examples of how literary texts change as they are transmitted from writer to reader. The narrative embraces not only the major literary movements such as Romanticism and Modernism, together with the most influential authors including Chaucer, Donne, Johnson, Wordsworth, Austen, Dickens and Woolf, but also little-known stories such as the identity of the first English woman poet to be honoured with a collected edition of her works. Written with the flair and passion for which Jonathan Bate has become renowned, this book is the perfect Very Short Introduction for all readers and students of the incomparable literary heritage of these islands. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Once Upon a Time in the Black Country
Author: Thomas Dearn
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 244
Book Description
Book 1 in the highly acclaimed Once upon a time In the Black Country series. Set in the post Second World War Black Country area of the West Midlands, Harry Scriven is a man torn between family loyalties, his moral compass and an ever present sense of justice. Can violence ever be justified? In a world of 1950s nostalgia, classic cars, long forgotten pubs and vintage music, Once upon a time in the Black Country is Goodfellas meets The Peaky Blinders! An at times gruesome tale of one man''s quest to battle his demons and lead a better life What readers are saying about Once upon a time in the Black Country. "Enjoyed it a lot, great plot and characters, really enjoyed how fictional characters intertwine with real locations and occasionally real-life gangsters... What I enjoyed a lot was the attention to the 50s details, the clothes, cars, music, pub culture etc..." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "I really enjoyed this book, I couldn''t turn the pages quickly enough. I usually read in the evening and all day long I was looking forward to picking it back up again. If you like a somewhat brutal, totally exciting, exhilarating read, then this is definitely a book for you. I really couldn''t recommend it highly enough." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "The mood is set vibrantly in the Black Country where deep descriptions draw a wonderfully colourful picture of the place during that period. However, it is the very credible main characters that bring this story to life." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "I loved this book and looked forward to reading it each night! Characterisation was great and every person in the book were each brought vividly to life. The geography of the book was superb, I especially liked being taken to a load of different well-constructed 1950s Black Country Pubs and having a pint of mild and a packet of pork scratchings. I highly recommend giving this book a read, you won''t regret it!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "Great fast paced gangster book with some twists along the way, just the right amount of crime and violence, nice to read about some familiar places within the black country and have little pieces of history setting the scene. The main characters you really feel you get to know, there''s a nice balance between them being brutal but with a softer side too, would recommend to anyone that enjoys gangster crime books." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "This book should be made into a film! Brilliant, well written and gripping." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "This book is a fantastic well written gripping story and it relates to a time I remember well. Truly a local masterpiece." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "Fab...great ... loved it so much...great insight into life in the black country way back in the 50s... I really enjoyed it." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "This is a really good read, up there with the best writers at present! Buy yourself this book and immerse yourself in the 1950''s Black Country." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "What a great book to read it''s the new peaky blinders." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "Wow, what a nonstop no holds barred dark gem of a book. From the first few pages you are drawn into the murky world of the black country''s dark past. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. If you''re thinking of getting this book, do yourself a favour and stop thinking and get it. Five stars from me." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "Great read a real page turner, so much description and you feel you really know the characters." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "It was gruesome and made me flinch a few times, which to me is down to the writer''s talent in descriptive writing. The violence may put some people off, but it is crucial to the story and as I said earlier, is an accolade to the writer''s descriptive skills."- Facebook comment. "Totally absorbing."- Facebook comment. "These books play like a movie in your head."- Facebook comment
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 244
Book Description
Book 1 in the highly acclaimed Once upon a time In the Black Country series. Set in the post Second World War Black Country area of the West Midlands, Harry Scriven is a man torn between family loyalties, his moral compass and an ever present sense of justice. Can violence ever be justified? In a world of 1950s nostalgia, classic cars, long forgotten pubs and vintage music, Once upon a time in the Black Country is Goodfellas meets The Peaky Blinders! An at times gruesome tale of one man''s quest to battle his demons and lead a better life What readers are saying about Once upon a time in the Black Country. "Enjoyed it a lot, great plot and characters, really enjoyed how fictional characters intertwine with real locations and occasionally real-life gangsters... What I enjoyed a lot was the attention to the 50s details, the clothes, cars, music, pub culture etc..." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "I really enjoyed this book, I couldn''t turn the pages quickly enough. I usually read in the evening and all day long I was looking forward to picking it back up again. If you like a somewhat brutal, totally exciting, exhilarating read, then this is definitely a book for you. I really couldn''t recommend it highly enough." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "The mood is set vibrantly in the Black Country where deep descriptions draw a wonderfully colourful picture of the place during that period. However, it is the very credible main characters that bring this story to life." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "I loved this book and looked forward to reading it each night! Characterisation was great and every person in the book were each brought vividly to life. The geography of the book was superb, I especially liked being taken to a load of different well-constructed 1950s Black Country Pubs and having a pint of mild and a packet of pork scratchings. I highly recommend giving this book a read, you won''t regret it!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "Great fast paced gangster book with some twists along the way, just the right amount of crime and violence, nice to read about some familiar places within the black country and have little pieces of history setting the scene. The main characters you really feel you get to know, there''s a nice balance between them being brutal but with a softer side too, would recommend to anyone that enjoys gangster crime books." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "This book should be made into a film! Brilliant, well written and gripping." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "This book is a fantastic well written gripping story and it relates to a time I remember well. Truly a local masterpiece." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "Fab...great ... loved it so much...great insight into life in the black country way back in the 50s... I really enjoyed it." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "This is a really good read, up there with the best writers at present! Buy yourself this book and immerse yourself in the 1950''s Black Country." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "What a great book to read it''s the new peaky blinders." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "Wow, what a nonstop no holds barred dark gem of a book. From the first few pages you are drawn into the murky world of the black country''s dark past. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. If you''re thinking of getting this book, do yourself a favour and stop thinking and get it. Five stars from me." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review. "Great read a real page turner, so much description and you feel you really know the characters." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review. "It was gruesome and made me flinch a few times, which to me is down to the writer''s talent in descriptive writing. The violence may put some people off, but it is crucial to the story and as I said earlier, is an accolade to the writer''s descriptive skills."- Facebook comment. "Totally absorbing."- Facebook comment. "These books play like a movie in your head."- Facebook comment
Once Upon a Time Traveller
Author: Charles Bevons
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
Jimmy buys a house. It is a place that hides a secret, revealed only to those who linger upon the edge of insanity. He will travel far; to a time and place that will slowly mend his broken heart, and alter the course of his and other lives forever
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
Jimmy buys a house. It is a place that hides a secret, revealed only to those who linger upon the edge of insanity. He will travel far; to a time and place that will slowly mend his broken heart, and alter the course of his and other lives forever
Once Upon a Time: Red's Untold Tale
Author: Wendy Toliver
Publisher: Titan Books
ISBN: 1785653237
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 207
Book Description
Plagued by nightmares she doesn't understand and a temper she can't control, 16-year-old Red struggles to save Granny's troubled business and to nurture her budding romance with Peter, even as the betrayal of her classmates awakens the wolf within.
Publisher: Titan Books
ISBN: 1785653237
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 207
Book Description
Plagued by nightmares she doesn't understand and a temper she can't control, 16-year-old Red struggles to save Granny's troubled business and to nurture her budding romance with Peter, even as the betrayal of her classmates awakens the wolf within.
Once Upon a Time
Author: Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1451607806
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 224
Book Description
Argues that each individual's life is a never-ending story, and uses the elements of a story to show readers how to understand their lives better, showcasing the "big picture" God writes in each person's story.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1451607806
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 224
Book Description
Argues that each individual's life is a never-ending story, and uses the elements of a story to show readers how to understand their lives better, showcasing the "big picture" God writes in each person's story.
Shrek the Musical (Songbook)
Author:
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
ISBN: 1603784934
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 321
Book Description
(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook). Features 18 piano/vocal selections from this Broadway hit that won both Tony and Drama Desk awards. Includes a plot synopsis, sensational color photos, and these tunes: The Ballad of Farquaad * Big Bright Beautiful World * Build a Wall * Don't Let Me Go * Donkey Pot Pie * Finale (This Is Our Story) * Freak Flag * I Know It's Today * I Think I Got You Beat * Make a Move * More to the Story * Morning Person * Story of My Life * This Is How a Dream Comes True * Travel Song * What's Up, Duloc? * When Words Fail * Who I'd Be.
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
ISBN: 1603784934
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 321
Book Description
(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook). Features 18 piano/vocal selections from this Broadway hit that won both Tony and Drama Desk awards. Includes a plot synopsis, sensational color photos, and these tunes: The Ballad of Farquaad * Big Bright Beautiful World * Build a Wall * Don't Let Me Go * Donkey Pot Pie * Finale (This Is Our Story) * Freak Flag * I Know It's Today * I Think I Got You Beat * Make a Move * More to the Story * Morning Person * Story of My Life * This Is How a Dream Comes True * Travel Song * What's Up, Duloc? * When Words Fail * Who I'd Be.
Once Upon A Time In The West...Country
Author: Tony Hawks
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 1444794795
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
You can take the man out of the city, but is the countryside ready for him? Comedian and born and bred townie, Tony Hawks is not afraid of a challenge - or indeed a good bet. He's hitchhiked round Ireland with a fridge and taken on the Moldovan football team at tennis, one by one. Now the time has come for his greatest gamble yet - turning his back on comfortable city life to move to the wilds of the West Country. With his partner Fran in tow and their first child on the way, he embraces the rituals of village life with often absurd and hilarious results, introducing us to an ensemble of eclectic characters along the way. One minute he's taking part in a calamitous tractor run, the next he's chairing a village meeting, but of course he still finds time for one last solo adventure before fatherhood arrives - cycling coast to coast with a mini pig called Titch. In the epic battle of man vs countryside, who will win out?
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 1444794795
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
You can take the man out of the city, but is the countryside ready for him? Comedian and born and bred townie, Tony Hawks is not afraid of a challenge - or indeed a good bet. He's hitchhiked round Ireland with a fridge and taken on the Moldovan football team at tennis, one by one. Now the time has come for his greatest gamble yet - turning his back on comfortable city life to move to the wilds of the West Country. With his partner Fran in tow and their first child on the way, he embraces the rituals of village life with often absurd and hilarious results, introducing us to an ensemble of eclectic characters along the way. One minute he's taking part in a calamitous tractor run, the next he's chairing a village meeting, but of course he still finds time for one last solo adventure before fatherhood arrives - cycling coast to coast with a mini pig called Titch. In the epic battle of man vs countryside, who will win out?