As my husband will attest comedy is not really my thing. So I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud to an episode of The Kennedy's, a TV series starring the excellent Katherine Parkinson set in the 1970s.
"It's a book apparently" said my husband. Curious I hit the internet to find out more and discovered it was indeed a book called The Tent, The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy the writer and television presenter recollecting her childhood experiences of camping in the 1970s. Liking the episode (and also liking camping) I purchased the book and timed it perfectly so that reading it coincided with my latest camping to trip.
Like the TV series the book was laugh out loud funny, I do hate that phrase but it was, honestly. Kennedy captured the 1970s perfectly with the family's holiday songs, Star Wars obsession and food experiences.
It harked back to a different era where children's freedom was extensive and a childhood was a true childhood uninterrupted by social media, mobile phones and lactose free organic dark chocolate. That said I did question the pencil sharpening moment, something incomprehensible to happen to todays child.
The Kennedy holidays were truly tragic, ranging from the supernatural to the super stupid with liberal amounts of bodily fluid all thrown in for good measure, hats off to them for persisting as long as they did as I never would have set foot in a tent again after the first chapter.
You don't need to have stepped foot in a tent to enjoy it (indeed after reading it some may never want to camp ever) and its an excellent addition to summer reading lists too full of current best sellers.
P.S I am delighted to announce that despite a thunder storm and lots of midgies the camping trip was a success, unlike Emma's.
If you liked this try my other top suggestion for summer reading, Beautiful Ruins.
"It's a book apparently" said my husband. Curious I hit the internet to find out more and discovered it was indeed a book called The Tent, The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy the writer and television presenter recollecting her childhood experiences of camping in the 1970s. Liking the episode (and also liking camping) I purchased the book and timed it perfectly so that reading it coincided with my latest camping to trip.
Like the TV series the book was laugh out loud funny, I do hate that phrase but it was, honestly. Kennedy captured the 1970s perfectly with the family's holiday songs, Star Wars obsession and food experiences.
It harked back to a different era where children's freedom was extensive and a childhood was a true childhood uninterrupted by social media, mobile phones and lactose free organic dark chocolate. That said I did question the pencil sharpening moment, something incomprehensible to happen to todays child.
The Kennedy holidays were truly tragic, ranging from the supernatural to the super stupid with liberal amounts of bodily fluid all thrown in for good measure, hats off to them for persisting as long as they did as I never would have set foot in a tent again after the first chapter.
You don't need to have stepped foot in a tent to enjoy it (indeed after reading it some may never want to camp ever) and its an excellent addition to summer reading lists too full of current best sellers.
P.S I am delighted to announce that despite a thunder storm and lots of midgies the camping trip was a success, unlike Emma's.
If you liked this try my other top suggestion for summer reading, Beautiful Ruins.
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