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'Elizabeth Best had always wanted to go on a pilgrimage. Colin Bowles had never given it a moment's thought. But by a twist of fate the two barely acquainted writers seize the day and drop everything to retrace one of the oldest pilgrim routes in the western world, through the heart of Spain to Santiago de Compostela. It's meant to be a stroll in the sun, but they're under-prepared and carrying way too much baggage, in every sense. So what starts out as a physical challenge - it's a thousand kilometres, give or take -- very quickly becomes a far greater struggle with demons they've kept hidden in the too-hard backpack for years. Joined by grumpy monks, mad nuns and French cyclists with too much testosterone the two battle exhaustion and their pasts, fuelled by red wine and a perverse determination not to be beaten by a Spanish heat wave, the mountains or themselves.
'Set against a stunning background of golden wheat fields, misty mountains and tumbledown villages that haven't changed in centuries, The Year We Seized the Day is utterly compelling, by turns inspiring, moving and blackly funny, as two very different writers recount with astonishing candour an extraordinary journey of a lifetime.' (Publisher's blurb)
Notes
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Dedication: This book is dedicated to El's grandfather, Bob. And to Col's father, Joe, who died while this book was in final edit. Two old soldiers and gentlemen. We hope we made you proud.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also sound recording.
Works about this Work
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Armchair Journey
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16-17 January 2010; (p. 5) The Age , 16 January 2010; (p. 5)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography -
Untitled
2008
single work
review
— Appears in: Wet Ink , Autumn no. 10 2008; (p. 63-64)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography -
Fearless Examination from Unlikely Pair
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 29 - 30 September 2007; (p. 29)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography -
Spanish Pilgrimages Generate Tears of Rage and Hymns of Joy
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 28-29 July 2007; (p. 5)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography ; Walking the Camino : A Modern Pilgrimage to Santiago 2007 single work autobiography -
The Odd Couple's Quest for Forgiveness
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 8 July 2007; (p. 4)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography
-
The Odd Couple's Quest for Forgiveness
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 8 July 2007; (p. 4)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography -
Spanish Pilgrimages Generate Tears of Rage and Hymns of Joy
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 28-29 July 2007; (p. 5)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography ; Walking the Camino : A Modern Pilgrimage to Santiago 2007 single work autobiography -
Fearless Examination from Unlikely Pair
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 29 - 30 September 2007; (p. 29)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography -
Untitled
2008
single work
review
— Appears in: Wet Ink , Autumn no. 10 2008; (p. 63-64)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography -
Armchair Journey
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16-17 January 2010; (p. 5) The Age , 16 January 2010; (p. 5)
— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet 2007 single work autobiography
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cSpain,cWestern Europe, Europe,