Round Ireland with Fridge
Registered by BC-08041015142 on 1/19/2004
18 journalers for this copy...
One of the funniest books I have ever read! So it's time to send it travelling round the world as a bookring (but without the fridge in tow!).
From Amazon.co.uk ....
"While in Ireland for an international song competition, comedian Tony Hawks was amazed to see a hitch-hiker trying to thumb a lift with a fridge. This seemed amazingly optimistic - his Irish friends, however, thought nothing of it at all. "I had clearly arrived in a country", writes Tony, "where the qualification for 'eccentric' involved a great deal more than that to which I had become used". Years later, during an alcohol-fuelled evening, he found himself arguing about Ireland with a friend. It is, he insisted, a "magical place", so magical in fact, that a man could even get a lift with a fridge. The next morning there was a note by his bed. "I hereby bet Tony Hawks the sum of One Hundred Pounds that he cannot hitch hike around the circumference of Ireland with a fridge within one calendar month." The document was signed. The bet was made. This book is the story of Tony's adventures throughout that month, the people he meets, the difficulties he encounters and the triumphs. "
248 pages - Paperback
BOOKRING PARTICIPANTS
1. Apapsa - Greece
2. Jawin - Australia
3. Meganh - Australia
4. jmg49 - Ontario, Canada
5. Rendiru - CA, USA
6. roadrunner - TX, USA
7. mngirl - MN, USA
8. ladyoflight - SC, USA
9. Tabby90 - NC, USA
10. Jengif - VA, USA
11. Winkiemoon - Portugal
12. Arvovedeperas - Portugal (skipped)
13. Enique - Germany (skipped)
14. Mojitopt - Germany (skipped)
15. martinburo - Germany
16. Zenita - Denmark
17. Annelis - Finland
18. SwissToni - Nottingham, UK
19. MissBagpuss - Lincolnshire, UK (Post back to me)
From Amazon.co.uk ....
"While in Ireland for an international song competition, comedian Tony Hawks was amazed to see a hitch-hiker trying to thumb a lift with a fridge. This seemed amazingly optimistic - his Irish friends, however, thought nothing of it at all. "I had clearly arrived in a country", writes Tony, "where the qualification for 'eccentric' involved a great deal more than that to which I had become used". Years later, during an alcohol-fuelled evening, he found himself arguing about Ireland with a friend. It is, he insisted, a "magical place", so magical in fact, that a man could even get a lift with a fridge. The next morning there was a note by his bed. "I hereby bet Tony Hawks the sum of One Hundred Pounds that he cannot hitch hike around the circumference of Ireland with a fridge within one calendar month." The document was signed. The bet was made. This book is the story of Tony's adventures throughout that month, the people he meets, the difficulties he encounters and the triumphs. "
248 pages - Paperback
BOOKRING PARTICIPANTS
1. Apapsa - Greece
2. Jawin - Australia
3. Meganh - Australia
4. jmg49 - Ontario, Canada
5. Rendiru - CA, USA
6. roadrunner - TX, USA
7. mngirl - MN, USA
8. ladyoflight - SC, USA
9. Tabby90 - NC, USA
10. Jengif - VA, USA
11. Winkiemoon - Portugal
12. Arvovedeperas - Portugal (skipped)
13. Enique - Germany (skipped)
14. Mojitopt - Germany (skipped)
15. martinburo - Germany
16. Zenita - Denmark
17. Annelis - Finland
18. SwissToni - Nottingham, UK
19. MissBagpuss - Lincolnshire, UK (Post back to me)
Journal Entry 2 by BC-08041015142 at By Mail in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Released on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at ... by mail :) in Sent to a fellow BookCrosser, Bookring Controlled Releases.
I just received the book with the mail! I love it! I'm beginning to read it *right now*!
Thank you GlasgowGal for starting this ring and for all your help!
Thank you GlasgowGal for starting this ring and for all your help!
It was really funny and interesting throughout... Not even one long description of landscapes of the kind that I find boring... Sometimes I was wondering whether everything he wrote really happened, but it doesn't matter anyway. It was brilliant and if he made some things up, well, good for him!
The book is travelling to jawin, the next person in the ring... Happy reading!
The book is travelling to jawin, the next person in the ring... Happy reading!
Received in the mail today from apapsa in Greece - 9 days must be some sort of postal record! This will be next in the pile, so I can keep it moving.
What a simple idea. Tony Hawks accepted a bet to travel around the island of Ireland in one month. With a fridge. Hawks readily admits the plain daftness of the idea but on his travels realises that Ireland still is one of the friendliest, most beautiful countries in the world. Fuelled by Guinness and Irish breakfasts, Hawks manages to cram the book with great anecdotes and humour.
Not laugh out loud for me, but he certainly has a deft way with descriptions of the people he meets and the idiotic adventures he (and the firdge) have - and I smiled the whole way through.
An excellent read.
Not laugh out loud for me, but he certainly has a deft way with descriptions of the people he meets and the idiotic adventures he (and the firdge) have - and I smiled the whole way through.
An excellent read.
Received in the mail from Jawin on Friday. looking forward to a fun read - 2 books TBR but this might jump the queue for some humour!
This definitely was a laugh-out-loud book! I loved all the descriptions - from when Tony was a young boy and took his toy machine gun to the football which then became his benchmark for the height of embarassment,
until his triumphal entry in to Dublin (according to the radio broadcast that is).
I loved the term he was often called by the Irish he met on his travels - an eejit (which I assume means an idiot).
And I couldn't stop laughing about the surfing exercise - it was so well described you could visualise the endeavour.
When he was describing his desperate trip in the horse float, I had the feeling he was having a lend of us (like apapsa thought), but decided the humour was worth the creativity!
Very enjoyable, entertaining read. Thanks GlasgowGal
12/3/04 put book in the mail today (by airmail so hopefully it will be quick!)
until his triumphal entry in to Dublin (according to the radio broadcast that is).
I loved the term he was often called by the Irish he met on his travels - an eejit (which I assume means an idiot).
And I couldn't stop laughing about the surfing exercise - it was so well described you could visualise the endeavour.
When he was describing his desperate trip in the horse float, I had the feeling he was having a lend of us (like apapsa thought), but decided the humour was worth the creativity!
Very enjoyable, entertaining read. Thanks GlasgowGal
12/3/04 put book in the mail today (by airmail so hopefully it will be quick!)
This arrived today. Thanks GlascowGal for making it available and meganh for sending it to me. I'll read it as soon as I can and pass it on.
This was an enjoyable experience. I will be sending it on shortly.
Released on Monday, May 03, 2004 at Controlled Release in Woodstock, Ontario Canada.
Sent by mail to California.
Enjoy!
Sent by mail to California.
Enjoy!
The book has arrived in Sacramento. I'm looking forward to reading it and will probably start it this weekend.
I loved this book! It was so entertainingly written and a real pleasure to read. I wouldn't advise trying to read this book while your significant other is trying to sleep - the temptation to read aloud the passage that has just mad you laugh like a maniac will be overwhelming and you will not endear yourself to your sleep-deprived (and now thoroughly irritated) loved one. This was full of good-spirited humor as Tony traveled with his fridge in tow, hitching around Ireland and opening himself to possibilities as they presented themselves. It was a wonderful reminder of the good side of human nature.
This will head off to roadrunner on Monday.
This will head off to roadrunner on Monday.
This came in yesterday's mail. I've got several rings ahead of it but will read it asap and get it moving again.
Very, very funny book! I kept reading bits aloud to my husband because they were just begging to be shared. I'm now itching to take a trip to Ireland. This is off to its next stop today via Media Mail. Thanks Glasgowgal for sharing this very entertaining book!
Received in the mail yesterday. Have already started it. Will pass it on when finished.
Finished reading this last night. Hilarious! I have a friend who was born and raised in Ireland, and from her description of the country and after reading this book, I've decided I'd like to visit it someday.
Will pass it on to ladyoflight within the next few days.
Will pass it on to ladyoflight within the next few days.
Received in the mail and am reading it as we speak.
What a hoot! This book was as funny as it promised to be. I wish I was in Ireland right now. Hawks makes it seem like such a magical place with really wonderful people (which I guess it probably is). Will send to the next person on the list soon.
Got in the mail today, thanks! Looks like there's a loose spot in the middle where the pages are in danger of falling out. Think I'll fix that, if nobody minds.
This book has a fabulous idea. Something random, spontaneous, and pointless. I love it! Unfortunately I thought the idea was better than the book. It seems that Tony Hawks is not much of a writer and possibly not much of a comedian. I coulnd't stay engrossed in his story and my mind kept wondering if he had known he was going to write a book when he started. If he had kept notes. Why he never seemed to walk when he found himself in a bad hitching spot. What the other people involved would think of the book. Well, at least he's got a good story for his grandkids.
Mailed off to Jengif this morning.
Mailed off to Jengif this morning.
It made it to Virginia! I'm really excited to finally be able to read this book. I'm actually listening to Angela's Ashes on audio right now so I'll be totally immersed in Ireland.
I really enjoyed reading about Tony Hawks's travels around Ireland. I made the mistake of reading the book on the Metro even after the book advised me not to read in public places. I got a few funny looks as I sat on a crowded train choking on my laughter. I also appreciated the travel information that I learned from the book. Tony Hawks taught me more about Irish geography than I ever would have believed. I must definitely get there someday!
Thanks GlasgowGal for sharing this fun book!
Thanks GlasgowGal for sharing this fun book!
Mailed to Winkiemoon in Portugal
Unfortunately, I had to send it by surface mail, so it will take between 4 & 6 weeks to get there.
Unfortunately, I had to send it by surface mail, so it will take between 4 & 6 weeks to get there.
Nice trip ;)
Thanks. The first page was hilarious.
Yes, very funny indeed. Like apapsa, I also wondered if everything really happened. I am worried though, if Tony Hawks is not a drinking man ...
This book will continue its journey as soon as goatgrrl has sorted out the confusion in the sending order (I was to be the 15th participant, but became 12th).
This book will continue its journey as soon as goatgrrl has sorted out the confusion in the sending order (I was to be the 15th participant, but became 12th).
Journal Entry 28 by Zenita from København K - City, København Amt Denmark on Thursday, January 27, 2005
Arrived while I was on holiday in Oslo
Journal Entry 29 by Zenita from København K - City, København Amt Denmark on Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Really enjoyable book.
I read a few passages out loud to my boyfriend,too (couldn't help myself, they were so funny).
And I also, like some of the other readers, feel like going to Ireland and experience the wonderful nature and people there (whiteout a fridge though :)
Thanks for sharing Glasgowgal
Sending it to Finland today or tomorrow.
I read a few passages out loud to my boyfriend,too (couldn't help myself, they were so funny).
And I also, like some of the other readers, feel like going to Ireland and experience the wonderful nature and people there (whiteout a fridge though :)
Thanks for sharing Glasgowgal
Sending it to Finland today or tomorrow.
The book arrived today into my mail box. I am really looking forward to reading it.This book counts for Irland in my A Book From Every Country Challenge.
A hilarious journey round Ireland. Tony Hawks really was enjoying himself! Though in my opinion he spent too much time in pubs. Maybe it suits him but not me. The Irish seem to be very friendly people. I would like to travel round Ireland too, but I'd rather have no fridge with me. I'd like to bike, but I know nobody to do it with. My husband is no long distance biker, neither are my children. That's too bad...
Book apparently posted to SwissToni around the 25th of May.
Hello - the book has arrived !
I'm actually already about halfway through this, and I'm thinking much the same about this one as I have the other tony hawks book I have read (one hit wonderland).... that is to say, it's a good story but that unfortunately I find Tony Hawks himself extremely irritating. It's a poser, and no mistake!
It's been quite funny so far though, and I'm just managing to keep that smug face of his out of my thoughts (more or less)....
Should finish it fairly soon and keep it moving!
ST
I'm actually already about halfway through this, and I'm thinking much the same about this one as I have the other tony hawks book I have read (one hit wonderland).... that is to say, it's a good story but that unfortunately I find Tony Hawks himself extremely irritating. It's a poser, and no mistake!
It's been quite funny so far though, and I'm just managing to keep that smug face of his out of my thoughts (more or less)....
Should finish it fairly soon and keep it moving!
ST
Humphf.
Initially diverting and entertaining, in the end Tony Hawk's style began to grate. I thought the first half of the journey was covered at a nice, leisurely pace (his stop at Bunbeg, for example), but then as the fridge heads further into the wilds of rural Ireland, the stories get less interesting, the distance between stops becomes greater, and I got the impression that we were now on a dash to Dublin (which, by the way, when it arrives is a crashing anti-climax). Shame really. And I *hated* the glee with which our author recounts his conquest in the dog-house.
Smug. Puncheable. Git.
Ah well. It passes the time, I suppose. No better than "one hit wonderland", and I won't be bothering with any of his other books.
I'll post this on to MissBagpuss this afternoon.
ST
Initially diverting and entertaining, in the end Tony Hawk's style began to grate. I thought the first half of the journey was covered at a nice, leisurely pace (his stop at Bunbeg, for example), but then as the fridge heads further into the wilds of rural Ireland, the stories get less interesting, the distance between stops becomes greater, and I got the impression that we were now on a dash to Dublin (which, by the way, when it arrives is a crashing anti-climax). Shame really. And I *hated* the glee with which our author recounts his conquest in the dog-house.
Smug. Puncheable. Git.
Ah well. It passes the time, I suppose. No better than "one hit wonderland", and I won't be bothering with any of his other books.
I'll post this on to MissBagpuss this afternoon.
ST
Journal Entry 35 by MissBagpuss from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Monday, September 5, 2005
i remember going to see tony hawks on stage in london about 12 years ago, knowing nothing about him but having heard he was a comedian. all i remember about the evening was that he had a couple of female dancers onstage with him in rather unflattering black nylon leotards which looked like they belonged in a primary school gym, they did a dance routine to a song with the lyrics "tony hawks entertains", and that i didnt think he was particularly funny.
but having heard so much hype about this book i wanted to read it anyway.
so what did i think?
well, there were a couple of occasions when i did laugh out loud, a very rare occurrence whilst reading (except perhaps when i'm engrossed in a terry pratchett book), and i was surprised how amusing it was for the most part. i do agree with the previous review that the story tailed off a little in the second half, and somebody really should tell tony hawks that it isnt polite to kiss and tell (or to shag someone in a dog kennel and tell), and that rambling on about sexual conquests are all very well in teenage boys but slightly sad and sordid in middle aged men (or was that the whole point of the chapter?).
but all in all i enjoyed this book much more than i expected, and some of it was indeed very funny.
so tony, based on that london gig i saw years ago, stick to the writing, mate. you're quite good at it.
but having heard so much hype about this book i wanted to read it anyway.
so what did i think?
well, there were a couple of occasions when i did laugh out loud, a very rare occurrence whilst reading (except perhaps when i'm engrossed in a terry pratchett book), and i was surprised how amusing it was for the most part. i do agree with the previous review that the story tailed off a little in the second half, and somebody really should tell tony hawks that it isnt polite to kiss and tell (or to shag someone in a dog kennel and tell), and that rambling on about sexual conquests are all very well in teenage boys but slightly sad and sordid in middle aged men (or was that the whole point of the chapter?).
but all in all i enjoyed this book much more than i expected, and some of it was indeed very funny.
so tony, based on that london gig i saw years ago, stick to the writing, mate. you're quite good at it.
Journal Entry 36 by MissBagpuss at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, October 17, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (10/20/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
posted back to glasgowgal to finish off the bookring
posted back to glasgowgal to finish off the bookring
This book has arrived back safe and sound after a fair old trip on the road. Thank you to everyone who has looked after it so well (and a big thank you to whoever wrapped the cover in plastic to protect it).
This is now retiring to my PC to recover from the stresses and strains of travelling.
:-)
This is now retiring to my PC to recover from the stresses and strains of travelling.
:-)
It's time for this book to have some more adventures, so I'm releasing it from my PC and we'll see what happens next!
:-)
:-)
Journal Entry 39 by BC-08041015142 at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, November 6, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (11/6/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sending in trade for a lovely calligraphy book - with apologies for the delay!
Sending in trade for a lovely calligraphy book - with apologies for the delay!
Journal Entry 40 by PatchworkPerson from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 11, 2006
Rec'd safe& sound. I am so looking forward to reading this one. Many thanks Colanne.
Journal Entry 41 by PatchworkPerson from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 25, 2006
There aren't many books that make me giggle out loud but this was one of them. The thought of this journey is quite ridiculous but the people of Ireland really opened their hearts to the strange Englishman travelling around their country with a fridge in his wake! That fridge has had more adventures than many people. I've wanted to read this for a long time so many thanks Colanne.
