Dear walking book clubbers,
Time to wake up! I can’t believe that I am going to see so many of you in the flesh on the Heath this Sunday. What a treat! I’m really looking forward to discussing Gavin Maxwell’s Ring of Bright Water - a beautiful depiction of a life with otters in the middle of nowhere - with you all. I love this picture of him having a snooze.
Scroll down for details of Sunday’s walk, and of Monday’s Zoom for those of you who are keen to talk about the book but can’t make it to the Heath for whatever reason. And keep on scrolling for more about Gavin Maxwell and his classic piece of nature writing. Finally, you will find information about Covid-19 precautions.
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Our April Book Club
On the Heath (suggested fee £5):
Sunday 25th April, 11.30am-1pm.
Setting off from outside Daunt Books Hampstead, 51 South End Road, NW3 2QB.
We leave promptly at 11.30am, so please phone me on 07939042190 if you are running late.
On Zoom (pay what you like):
Monday 26th April, 8-8.30pm.
Just log in online. Either sign up via Eventbrite (click the blue button) so I have an idea of numbers, or just use the Zoom details below:
Zoom link here.
Meeting ID: 712 5150 9630
Passcode: 8v6AXy
Buy the book from Daunt Books and get 10% off. In person, now the shops are open again, just say you’re in the gang. Online (here), use the code WBC at checkout.
A note on our May meetings
A few of you have asked for the links to book for our May At Freddie’s walk (May 23rd) and Zoom (May 24th). Thanks for being so efficient! Here are the Eventbrite links:
Buy the book from Daunt Books and get 10% off. In person, now the shops are open again, just say you’re in the gang. Online (here), use the code WBC at checkout.
More about Gavin Maxwell
This Guardian piece by Robert Macfarlane about Maxwell’s book about shark hunting in the Hebrides, Harpoon at a Venture - in some ways a prequel to Ring of Bright Water - makes a fascinating contrast to the latter idyll.
This is a lovely little travel piece in Scotland Magazine about travelling in Maxwell’s footsteps. You can even book out his final home as a holiday cottage (I immediately checked for availability, but alas May half term has already gone… details here).
Finally, a trio of YouTube links:
This daft, sweet little clip of Maxwell with Mijbil in his Kensington flat:
This moving collection of his friends’ memories and anecdotes:
And the 1960s film, based on the book. I’ve not yet watched this one, but I gather it’s a classic.
Covid-19 Precautions
Keeping us all safe is my top priority. If you have any concerns or queries, please drop me a line and I’ll be sure to respond.
I see our walks as counting as Outdoor Organised Sport, for which, under current Government Guidance, there is no limit on numbers (we will be approx 20-30 walkers). There is plenty of space on the Heath - which I actively seek out - but occasionally the paths narrow and there are inevitably crowded moments. If this makes you uncomfortable, perhaps better stick to the Zooms for now.
The entire walk will be outside (including our meeting point, which is now outside Daunt Books Hampstead).
Everyone must book their place via Eventbrite (here) so that I have a clear idea of attendance, and can easily contact you if necessary.
Mask-wearing is strongly encouraged, certainly for the walking bits of the event. When you are standing at a distance from people and resting, masks can be removed for a breather.
Distance between walkers will be a minimum of 1 metre.
Hand sanitiser provided.
Do not come if you have any Covid symptoms, have tested positive in the past 10 days, or are in quarantine.
So very much looking forward to seeing you on Sunday / Monday. It’s been lovely to receive your enthusiastic emails about the book. Thanks,
Emily