Thread: Driving Over Lemons

Alasdair Palmer of the Sunday Telegraph called it "the best good life abroad book" in years.

It is one of three books by Chris Stewart (ex Genesis drummer) the other two in series are A Parrot in the Pepper Tree and The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society.


Driving Over Lemons and is about his search and decision to run a peasant farm and the trails and tribulations and joys. I have just started this and have been laughing out loud at some of it.

The next one, A Parrot in the Pepper Tree is 3 years on, his family now, wife and daughter try to get to grip with all things spanish, It also looks back at the authors time as a sheep shearer and other varied exploits.
" he's pulled it off " says Alasdair Palmer about this one, " it is as funny and charming as the first.

In The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society finds them still living on the farm. In this sequel his optimism and zest for life are as infectious as ever it seems.

The Independent says "Chris Stewart inone of life's bold originals" and The Traveller said " Chris Stewart is possibly the one writer who is genuinely funnier than Bill Bryson"

It was a Year in the Provonce that cheered us on, albeit French!! I find the Spanish books a bit simplictic, a good read but with writers licence, what say you?

I love the Peter Mayle's stuff... A Year in Provence and Encore in Provence are just wonderful reads.

For the people contemplating the move to the South, or even establishing a secondary residence here, the information provided is truly invaluable. Obviously, there is an element of writer's licence in all the fiction. (It is called 'fiction' for a reason, too.)

Yet, the message comes through loud and clear... It takes lots of time, endless patience, loads of good will, quite some cash and a completely positive mental attitude to accomplish your task. If you are lacking any... do not bother to try.