To Hel in a Hound Cart

Here’s my review of To Hel in a Hound Cart by Jacqueline Lambert.

Jackie and her husband Mark chose to retire early, in order to indulge their twin passions for travelling and their four Cavapoo dogs. Jackie writes amusing travelogues recording their adventures, to which Mark contributes comments on the darker aspects of European history. A sprinkling of political comment blends with the humour. Somehow this eclectic mix works, and To Hel in a Houndcart is the sixth in the Adventures Caravanning with Dogs series. The Lamberts’ chosen lifestyle has its ups and downs – literally. Jackie’s descriptions of death-defying journeys down steep gorges and around hairpin bends, from the Italian Alps to the Ukranian border via Romania and Poland, made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Fortunately Mark is a skilled and confident driver. He also has a knack for diagnosing mechanical problems and carrying out repairs on the go. Jackie, who speaks three languages with varying success, is in charge of communications. She delivers neat summaries of the history and culture of each location, but brings the reader down to earth by recording the price of coffee and a cake everywhere they go. In spite of having to fend off unwanted help from fellow campers and evade disruptive children, she always finds time to arrange fun activities for her adored pets, The Pawsome Foursome.

It’s impossible to ignore the shadow of Covid-19 hanging over the journey to Hel. Borders are closing and the people the Lamberts meet on their journey are less friendly than they normally would be, because they fear infection. However, the author’s sense of humour shines through and her writing style is engaging. Her account of gigantic Griffin vultures circling over the Gorges du Verdun will stay with me.

I was given an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

To Hel In A Hound Cart: Journey To The Centre Of Europe