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99th out of 2,258 books
—
3,368 voters
Chickens, Mules And Two Old Fools: Tuck Into A Slice Of Andalucían Life
by
Victoria Twead (Goodreads Author)
Perhaps if Joe and Vicky had known what relocating to a tiny village, tucked in the Alpujarra mountains, would really be like, they might have hesitated... They have no idea of the culture shock in store. No idea they will become reluctant chicken farmers and own the most dangerous cockerel in Spain. No idea they will be befriended by an 85 year old spliff-smoking sex-kitt...more
Paperback, 196 pages
Published
October 3rd 2009
by New Generation Publishing
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I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book. It's non-fiction, the true tale of a couple who decide to leave England to retire to Spain. There are a few laugh-out-loud moments, and generally the book made me smile. The author made a decision to leave the UK one rainy day. Joe, the author's husband, was not sure about the move, so they compromised, agreeing a 5-year plan. They would move to the remote village of El Hoyo in Andalucía for 5 years and if it didn't work out they would return to the...more
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My original review must have been lost when I had Goodreads technical problems. I thought this was a very charming memoir of the life of a British expat living in Spain. I am an American expat doing the same (although in a different part of Spain) so I could relate to many of the things Twead was saying. And those things she said she said well and with humor. The inclusion of several recipes enhanced the book even more. I have recommended it to others, especially my expat friends here (a couple...more
I received a free copy of this e-book from the author.
The title alone promises that Victoria Twead’s Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools is going to be a hilarious adventure, and that’s what you get and more!
Vicky, the author, decides that retirement for her does not include dreary English weather. Instead she envisions a lovely house in sunny Spain and proceeds to talk her husband Joe into the idea. Ultimately, they do relocate to a strange but fascinating house in a tiny Andalucían village way u...more
The title alone promises that Victoria Twead’s Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools is going to be a hilarious adventure, and that’s what you get and more!
Vicky, the author, decides that retirement for her does not include dreary English weather. Instead she envisions a lovely house in sunny Spain and proceeds to talk her husband Joe into the idea. Ultimately, they do relocate to a strange but fascinating house in a tiny Andalucían village way u...more
Travel to a small Spanish village called El Hoyo and stop awhile to visit with Vicky, Joe, and their wonderful neighbors who seem more like characters from an entertaining novel than real people. Even their friends who come to visit are unique and fun-loving. Vicky and Joe are able to laugh at themselves and respectfully laugh with their neighbors who are so culturally different.
Enjoy their frustrations as they remodel a "home" that lacks the amenities enjoyed in their life in England. The autho...more
Enjoy their frustrations as they remodel a "home" that lacks the amenities enjoyed in their life in England. The autho...more
Adventures Galore
Sent to amazon.com 24.04.10
‘Chickens, Mules and two old fools’ is the apt title of Victoria Twead’s, autobiographical novel about her and her husband Joe’s retirement in Andalucia, Spain. When Vicky first proposed it, Joe was not so sure. The bargain, wrung from a few anxious moments, was they would return to the colder climes of England in five year’s time if it didn’t work out.
I loved the light hearted, amusing atmosphere, the sense of adventure and of beating adversity as th...more
Sent to amazon.com 24.04.10
‘Chickens, Mules and two old fools’ is the apt title of Victoria Twead’s, autobiographical novel about her and her husband Joe’s retirement in Andalucia, Spain. When Vicky first proposed it, Joe was not so sure. The bargain, wrung from a few anxious moments, was they would return to the colder climes of England in five year’s time if it didn’t work out.
I loved the light hearted, amusing atmosphere, the sense of adventure and of beating adversity as th...more
1 like · like · see review
Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools proves once again that moving to a foreign country and fixing up an old house never works out quite as you planned. This time the setting is the Spanish Alpujarra mountains and the naive couple are Joe and Vicky, a British couple looking for a place where the sun always shines.
At first the writing struck me as a bit unedited and rough around the edges, but as the book progressed the style grew on me until I wouldn't have had it any other way. Vicky comes across...more
At first the writing struck me as a bit unedited and rough around the edges, but as the book progressed the style grew on me until I wouldn't have had it any other way. Vicky comes across...more
Mar 13, 2013
Simon Wheeler
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who dreams of moving to Spain
The hilarious account of an English couple that decide to move to the sunnier climes of southern Spain, convert a nightmare ruin into a dream home and along the way, end up raising chickens. What else would you do when you retire?
Makes for effortless reading, as Victoria Twead reveals the very different, not perfect, but certainly interesting world that is El Hoyo, a rural village in Almeria. The characters make the story sparkle with vitality - not to mention the chickens, each with their own n...more
Makes for effortless reading, as Victoria Twead reveals the very different, not perfect, but certainly interesting world that is El Hoyo, a rural village in Almeria. The characters make the story sparkle with vitality - not to mention the chickens, each with their own n...more
This book is a total charmer about the adventures of a British couple who retire to southern Spain, buy a rural ruin and start raising chickens. I first heard about it as I was finishing my own book about living in southern Spain, Dancing in the Fountain. Victoria's book is the flip side of mine: rural vs urban, chickens vs late night flamenco bars, etc. Yet we share an abiding love and appreciation for the zaniness of the Spanish culture. Her book is very funny. After reading it, I began corres...more
Confession time: I think I received Victoria's book for Christmas simply because it contains the word 'Chickens'. My friends and family know me well enough that they can buy me anything hen-related and chances are I will enjoy it. Well, they were completely spot-on with Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools! It's the type of book that makes you want to pack in your humdrum job, pack up your suitcase, and go off to LIVE rather than exist. From the accidental destruction of the village fountain a mere...more
This is a wonderful book! I enjoyed every page from start to finish which I reached much too quickly and would have loved if were three times longer! Vicky writes with a wonderful perspective - she and her husband have moved to an idyllic location in Spain, not of course without its trials and tribulations which are most often hilarious - I laughed out loud many times during the book! She has a lovely eye for detail and characterisation born of respect, fascination and the ever present humour th...more
If you're looking to experience sunny Spain, and maybe even life in a tiny village tucked in the Alpujarra Mountains, and without leaving home, then Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools is for you.
Approaching retirement, Vicky and her husband, Joe, one day decide to pack up their bags and leave their comfortable Sussex, England home and settle in the village El Hoya, Spain. It is not long before they come to learn village life is full of surprises and mishaps, with hilarious culture clashes at ever...more
Approaching retirement, Vicky and her husband, Joe, one day decide to pack up their bags and leave their comfortable Sussex, England home and settle in the village El Hoya, Spain. It is not long before they come to learn village life is full of surprises and mishaps, with hilarious culture clashes at ever...more
As a fellow expat and writer, I've been watching the amazing success of Victoria Twead's books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can understand its popularity. Victoria has a gift for drawing the reader into her world and, when she and husband Joe decide to relocate to southern Spain, the fun begins. Packed full with their scrapes and adventures, the book is a kind of cross between James Herriot and Chris Stewart. If you like animals, a good laugh and are curious to know what life is like in a...more
Very fun book about a couple from the UK who, after (early) retirement, take 5 year 'trial' move to a town/village in southern Spain to experience the adventure, the food and wine, the peace and quiet, the warmer weather. They get all that and much, much more. Lots of misadventures too. Will they stay or shall they return to Britain after the 5 year trial?
Enjoyable read, along the lines of "Under the Tuscan Sun," or "A Year in Provence." An added treat-recipes after each chapter-and they're yumm...more
Enjoyable read, along the lines of "Under the Tuscan Sun," or "A Year in Provence." An added treat-recipes after each chapter-and they're yumm...more
I liked this well enough to look forward to the sequel. That being said, I was a bit frustrated by the format. Each chapter ended with a "recipe", in most cases unrelated to what was going on in the story. What began as a whimsical interlude became a space filler. The author, her husband and their friends read as quirky, fun, and memorable. The recipes are decidedly not. I can understand the region depending on rustic fare, but why is it so important to include so many variations of tomato, garl...more
This a light and entertaining read about an english couple relocating to an isolated spanish village. The writing can sometimes be weak and veer into cringing territory but there is a sheer joie de vivre about the whole book which saves it. The village and the people living there are so warmly described that you will feel like packing your bags to move there. The author also has a true sense of the ridiculous and is not afraid to poke fun at herself and her husband. I recommended this to my moth...more
Subtitled Tuck into a slice of Andalucían Life, Chickens, Mules & Two Old Fools is a personal memoir written by (former) UK resident Victoria Twead.
Tired of the dreary British climate as she and her husband Joe neared retirement, they decided to sell in Britain and move to sunny Spain. The book begins with (Victoria’s) discontent with England, the process of their decision to make the move, and their search for the ideal piece of Spanish real estate (“The House”). Finding a reliable real es...more
Tired of the dreary British climate as she and her husband Joe neared retirement, they decided to sell in Britain and move to sunny Spain. The book begins with (Victoria’s) discontent with England, the process of their decision to make the move, and their search for the ideal piece of Spanish real estate (“The House”). Finding a reliable real es...more
Feb 18, 2010
Kimberly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kimberly by:
Teri, Susan
Shelves:
non-fiction
As much as I love to experience new places and cultures, I've not read more than excerpts from this type of book: couple/individual moves to a scenic European destination and frustration and hilarity ensue from the inevitable culture clash. I finally picked up this book because I love Spain and it has received such positive reviews. And it did prove to be a fun read. I'll include an excerpt about the couple's chickens that gives a flavor of Twead's writing style.
"We were utterly hooked, these si...more
"We were utterly hooked, these si...more
This is a great book! I enjoyed every page from start to finish which I reached much too quickly and would have loved if were three times longer! Vicky writes with a wonderful perspective - she and her husband have moved to an idyllic location in Spain, not of course without its trials and tribulations which are most often hilarious - I laughed out loud many times during the book! She has a lovely eye for detail and characterisation born of respect, fascination and the ever present humour that m...more
Jul 11, 2010
Andee
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone with a dream of dropping out to live a "simpler" life
If you have ever dreamed of getting away from the rat race and claiming a simpler life anywhere but where you currently are, then you need to read this book. It's funny, insightful, and it has authentic Spanish recipes in it. A recounting of a nearing retirement UK couple's journey through facing the unexpected in implementing such a plan is extremely entertaining so far... I am about half way through the book. I'm not sure why reason or common sense did not march in and take control of the situ...more
Jul 12, 2011
Christopher Spalding
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favourites
I would liken this book to an episode of Dr Who from the nineteen seventies: the sets were wobbly, the rocks polystyrene and the monsters were made of washing-up gloves and sackcloth, but I still loved it.
To expand on that, the niggles were mostly technical - some formatting problems on the Kindle and the writing wasn't quite as polished as (IMHO) it could have been. I think that just goes to show the story is always king.
I have, I suppose, a vested interest as I am probably as much of an españ...more
To expand on that, the niggles were mostly technical - some formatting problems on the Kindle and the writing wasn't quite as polished as (IMHO) it could have been. I think that just goes to show the story is always king.
I have, I suppose, a vested interest as I am probably as much of an españ...more
1 like · like · see review
For those who couldn't get enough of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, this quick read shares the Move-To-Another-Country-and-Experience-Their-Quirks-Irritations-and-Endearments genre with less sophistication, but plenty of humor.
An earthquake? I sat up in alarm as he pulled on his shorts (inside out) and raced towards the square and the source of the commotion... when Joe returned...He was looking rueful and carrying a crate.
"What was it?" I asked...
"A van. Selling peaches."
"Not an earthquake w...more
An earthquake? I sat up in alarm as he pulled on his shorts (inside out) and raced towards the square and the source of the commotion... when Joe returned...He was looking rueful and carrying a crate.
"What was it?" I asked...
"A van. Selling peaches."
"Not an earthquake w...more
I came across this book by chance while researching the formatting of e-book previews on Smashwords. I was accidentally and completely hooked by the second paragraph and just had to buy it!
I loved this book. It was witty, charming, funny, and thought provoking. Victoria Twead has a naturally graceful writing style that kept me reading late in the night on many occasions. I laughed and vicariously ate my way through the telling of her Andalucían experiences.
I loved this book. It was witty, charming, funny, and thought provoking. Victoria Twead has a naturally graceful writing style that kept me reading late in the night on many occasions. I laughed and vicariously ate my way through the telling of her Andalucían experiences.
This book deserves the 5 stars not only for the fantastic way in which this story is told but for the pure entertainment value. I cannot remember another recently read book which caused me to laugh out loud as much as this one did. Joe and Vicky are people I would love to know. Judith and Mother would be great friends too as would Paco and Carmen. In fact only the mayor could be left out of my friends list. If you want a couple evenings of pure enjoyment grab a copy of this book and settle in.
"Chickens, Mules, and Two Old Fools" is another entry in the "expat memoir" genre. It describes the challenges and triumphs of living in a small pueblo in Almería, Spain. It is a highly enjoyable read, especially if you are interested in a "slice of life" look at small-town Spain. I understand this book is part of a series, although I haven't read the other books. It made me want to visit Almería; the descriptions of the landscapes sound gorgeous.
What a delightful account of a couple fulfilling their dream by moving to a small Spanish village. There have been many "we gave it all up and moved to xxx" books, but this rates amongst the best of those I've read.
Simply written and packed with delightful characters and stories which really drew me in to Victoria's world.
I've just spotted that there's a second book `Two Old Fools - Ole` so I'm off to Amazon . . . .
Simply written and packed with delightful characters and stories which really drew me in to Victoria's world.
I've just spotted that there's a second book `Two Old Fools - Ole` so I'm off to Amazon . . . .
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading but I found myself laughing more and more often. This delightful tale of an English couple moving to a small village in Spain is definitely worth reading. Their adventures, the friends they make, the animals they surround themselves with (cats and chickens), the village business, all was wonderfully and hilariously presented. I loved it.
The recipes were a welcome bonus.
The recipes were a welcome bonus.
Fantastic book, Victoria tells the story of her and her husband moving from England to Spain and all the crazy adventures & chickens that come into that. :) Rather than reading a book, it feels like I'm in their backyard in Spain listening to the stories...can't wait for the next adventure. Vitcoria is a fantastic storyteller, and her personality in these books is as warm and kind as she is to interact with online.
This is a charming account of the trials and tribulations a couple face when relocating to Spain, with the added challenge of a building project and a new language to learn.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this - there are some great laugh out loud moments but most of all this is an excellent feel good book that has left me with a smile on my face, as well as some new recipes to try!!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this - there are some great laugh out loud moments but most of all this is an excellent feel good book that has left me with a smile on my face, as well as some new recipes to try!!
I don't usually use the word delightful, but this book was delightful. I began reading the first chapter as a preview on Amazon, and I couldn't put it down. I couldn't quit laughing. The author is an entertaining writer who made me feel as if I was along on her journey. I felt like I had moved to a little Spanish town. What fun I had discovering what it might be like!
1 like · like · see review
I'm so glad I found this little treasure of a book!! It is Victoria Twead's memoir of her and her husband's retirement in Spain. It was her idea and desire to move out of cold, dreary, rainy, foggy England...and to move to a warmer climate (and many additional "pros"). Her husband Joe was not overly excited about the prospect of moving, but they agreed to make it a "Five-Year Plan." After this time, if Joe wasn't happy they would move back to England. While reading this book I felt as though I w...more
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Victoria Twead nagged her long-suffering partner, Joe, into moving from England to Spain in 2004. They settled into a tiny mountain village in Andalucía, became reluctant chicken farmers and ended up owning probably the most dangerous cockerel in Spain.
Victoria’s hilarious record of their culture shock and life with the villagers is told in her new book, Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools, awarded...more
More about Victoria Twead...
Victoria’s hilarious record of their culture shock and life with the villagers is told in her new book, Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools, awarded...more
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