Arena

This memoir is the sequel to Cider with Rosie. Lee leaves the security of his Cotswold village to start a new life, making the journey by foot. He walks eventually to London living by playing the violin and by casual work. He travels by boat to Spain and walks many miles a day and sleeping rough or getting a mite ridden bed in a cheap posada at night. He continues his many adventures for a year and eventually reaches the south coast where he is rescued by a British boat and returns briefly to England. Experiencing a Spain ranging from the utterly squalid to the most beautiful, Lee creates a story which evocatively captures the spirit and atmosphere of the towns and countryside he passes through in his own distinctive semi-poetic style. Our group enjoyed this book, and some were tempted to re-read Cider with Rosie. Interesting discussions about the history of this period, the era of our own parents, and the insights we gained reading the book were lively and informative. The chapters c