How Now, Mad Cow?: The Second Year in Rural Galicia

by Liza Grantham

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE MAD COW IN GALICIA MEMOIR SERIES.

Liza’s first year in Galicia was full of challenges, but now she’s no longer a novice, surely there can’t be any more shocks and surprises in store?

A mystery killer is at large and Anxo becomes a suspect, and when an imposter arrives in the village Liza begins to think she’s losing her mind.

Down in the chicken run the blood-thirsty cockerel’s life hangs in the balance, but Liza’s determined to bring more livestock into the fold.

Gary’s busy tending the veg plot, but self-sufficiency turns out to be tougher than he’d bargained for; how long will they have to survive on a diet of eggs and kale?



Join Liza and Gary for another fun-packed year in rural Galicia

Genres: Memoir

401 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2021

About the author

Liza Grantham was born in 1965 in the East Midlands brewery town of Burton-on-Trent. After gaining a BA (Hons) in Linguistics, French and Hindi from the University of York and a PGCE from Derbyshire College of Higher Education she returned to her hometown where she taught at Anglesey Primary School for sixteen years. In 1997 she was awarded an MBA with distinction in Educational Management from the University of Nottingham. After meeting her now husband Gary she moved to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria to teach in a British school. In 2011 the couple moved to a remote hamlet in rural Galicia where they raise chickens, grow vegetables and expect the unexpected in their idyllic yet highly unpredictable rural life.

The peace and beauty of the natural surroundings provides the perfect backdrop for stimulation and creativity, and Liza has plenty of opportunity for writing in a range of genres. She has published three books in the 'Mad Cow in Galicia' memoir series: 'Mad Cows and Englishmen', 'How Now, Mad Cow?' and ''Til Mad Cow Comes Home'. She is also the author of 'A Play by Any Other Name...' in which the complete Shakespeare plays are summarised in everyday verse. Her prize-winning poetry has been published in several editions of 'The Good Life in Galicia' anthology series (ed. S Bush).

Reviews

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poetry is phenomenal, as is the writing. I loved Liza Grantham’s first book, Mad Cows and Englishmen, so I couldn’t wait to read her other books. Her writing style had me laughing at everyday occurrences in How Now, Mad Cow. Her husband Gary is a hoot, and Liza’s chickens, dog, and cat make the story even more enjoyable. There’s never a dull moment in the Mad Cow in Galicia series. I love the fabulous poems at the end of the chapters. I can’t wait to read book three since book four is being released soon. Keep up the excellent work, Liza. Your fans love you. If you want an entertaining read, this series has numerous reviews with high ratings. Check it out.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another year in Galicia

I enjoyed Liza's first book so much I bought and read this second book straight away. And it's just as good as the first one. More stories of life in rural Galicia, with the same supporting characters, both animal and human, which are so well drawn. I love Liza's writing style, and the poems at the end of each chapter. Life is much the same, but Liza and Gary are trying to become more self-sufficient, so we meet some new animal friends. I'm really hoping there's going to be a book three, I can't wait to read the next installment.

[Karen O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Wrote us a story of your life in Spain.
You Wrote us a tale of how It did rain.
You Wrote us a word about a dead duck.
You Wrote us of dinners when it’s all pot luck.
You Wrote us Galicia.

You Wrote us about the aldea at night.
You wrote us when chooks over dansoms did flight.
You Wrote us from morning until the last light.
You Wrote us until you had told it just right.
You Wrote us Galicia.

You Wrote us chapters that end with a poem.
You Wrote us of Rufo and his fighting comb.
You Wrote us of Anxo and Scholes how they roam.
You Wrote us the ways of your Spanish home.
You Wrote us Galicia.

Thanks for your story which everyone loves.
Thanks for sharing the bats and the doves.
Thanks for the vision of roof man above.
Thanks for telling us what Carmen does.
Thanks for your Galicia.

I’m really no poet,
just a fan from afar,
Who read mad cow two
And must give it five star.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another year in Galicia

This book was just as good as the first year and just what I needed after reading a rough book in between. Liza and her husband get on so well with the neighbors and unfortunately have a falling out with one that is basically watching a house. This year they add rabbits and become friends with expats that are able to help them learn where they are going wrong with certain things as they have been doing it for 5 yrs. I think if you are going to move to foreign digs it definitely helps to speak the language. She also mentions WLM at the end of the book. Read this series you will be glad you did—I am off to book 3 now and wish there were more.

[Lisa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad Liza Grantham continued her Galician adventures in a second book. Book one ‘Mad Cows and Englishmen’ ended far too soon so it was great to revisit her rural sometime idyll in northwest Spain in ‘How Now Mad Cow’. The fabulous cast of characters, both animal and human, are brought to life in Liza’s masterful hands. Her descriptions take you to rural Spain, her characters are so perfect you can hear them speak. The poems at the end of each chapter are once more a real work of art from this talented writer. I’m already looking forward to book three.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely read.

Liza and Gary were originally from Burton-on-Trent, UK. They had already made the move to warmer climes in Gran Canaria, but it wasn’t really a great fit for them. For the past year they had lived in a village in Galicia, and decided the quieter and simpler way of life was for them. Book 2 takes us through the seasons in their new surroundings over their second year in rural Spain.

I love to read about folks upping sticks; growing their own; creations from their own produce; perhaps keeping some livestock etc. This book has all that-the animal factor with Scholes the cat; they decide to keep chickens; they really embrace the relaxing country life; as well as a few busier times when friends come to stay with them at their new abode.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and this was just as good. Spanish country life, and village goings-on, another great read with an easy flow, and I loved it. It was a lot of fun, and she often made me smile and laugh. There are some great little poems that go with the book's happenings-I’m not usually a big fan of poetry, but I really liked Liza’s rhymes, and they complemented nicely.

A fabulous read about swapping to the simple life. They’re content, they love it, and I so loved this book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthearted Account of Life in Rural Galicia

Easygoing Liza and husband Gary work hard to solve problems and fit in with neighbourhood customs. Friends visit. Animals present challenges. But all situations are met with creativity and resourcefulness. Descriptions of Liza’s cooking make me want a taste … or at least the recipe. (How about that chestnut soup?)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Liza's first book about her move to rural Galicia and how she and her husband get on with building their new and completely different lifestyle. This second of the series sees them becoming more settled and still attempting to become more self sufficient. There is ground to be cleared, plants to be nurtured and still renovations to be done on the house. I enjoy her easy conversational writing style, her openness about the challenges faced - one example being the anti cockerel attack suit! That vision had me in stitches, how I would have loved a photo of that! She writes with great affection about her neighbours and their exploits and advice. Once again each chapter ends with one of her clever, fun poems. I love them. I'm heading off to read book three now.

[Danice H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sequel

An excellent book explains the second year of the authors' move to Galicia. Again with great descriptions and a nice bit of humor.

[Paul Antes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging and fun to read. Gives an up close (smells too) look of whaat life was like world wide regardless of place or nationality ( say most of rural America where the majority of the population was rural.
Great feel for the natural world both its beauty as well as its hardness . Looking forward to more in the series and I hope Lisa and Gary quit smoking 👍

[Carol Rode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read.

Going to start on the third book. I wasn't expecting her to put that rooster down till he last book. Took me by surprise. Wonder if there is Going to be another rooster in the up coming book. Might need one , guess I'll have to start book three to find out. So till the next chapter. Happy reading.

[Helen Jurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read
Liza and Gary have gone to Galacia for the good life, the natural environment, the friendly simple people who inhabit their rural village is what drew them to it. They accept the traditions, they follow the seasons, they live a traditional life like the locals who do what has always been done down through the generations.
They employ local plumber, electrician, roofer.
They respect their neighbours and fit in to the ways of their village not wanting to change the traditions and so are accepted.
Just starting the third book in the series so glad book two wasn’t the final.

[Alyson Sheldrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and delightful book
Liza and her husband are back again for more tales of adventure and life in the Galician countryside. The author writes with a delightful, easy voice that instantly draws you in and makes you want to settle down and read more about their life abroad.

Peppered with funny stories, local characters, intrigue, and exploits, this is an amusing and captivating book. By the end of the book, you will almost feel as if you live next door to this fabulous couple, you’ll know them so well! I’m eagerly looking forward to book 3 in the series.

[earl feathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry!? I used to not care for it but..... Change of mind

Liza is an absolute gem at telling about everyday life in Galacia! It makes you want to go and see for yourself. Top 10 Writer of the 21st century! A definite must read.

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fourth of Liza Grantham’s five books and I think it is my favourite although I’ve loved reading them all. Being only their second year in Galicia means that much was still new to Gary and Liza and I enjoyed discovering the area, the history and the local customs with them as they got to know their village more and entertained guests. There was so much variety in their lives too with oddball neighbours, both English and Galician, ups and downs with animals and some alarming incidents along the way. What I loved most was experiencing their increasing self-sufficiency, which included everything from how to grow good veggies (Gary’s area) to livestock rearing (Liza’s domain). What with cantakerous cockerels, doppelganger cats, dangerous dogs and more, this book is a feast and I looked forward to reading it every night. Added to that were Liza’s delightful poems closing each chapter, which was a lovely way to end each day. Thank you, Liza Grantham. I’m glad I’ve found I still have one left to read!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this memoir to be not only entertaining and a good uplifting read, but also educational and very interesting. The reader learns - along with Liza and Gary - how to become self-sufficient in rural Galicia. I enjoyed all the characters that the author paints in the book, including herself and her husband Gary who is most amusing. The reader comes face to face with the delights of living in a remote rural community as well as the harsh realities of rural life where there's no room for sentimentality when it comes to farming animals. The chapter about the rabbits was delightful and very funny. The memoir has bonus material of several wonderful poems and the poem about The Barbecue cracked me up - I found it so funny. The final poem 'Another Year' I found to be very poignant and expresses the passing of time so beautifully. I look forward to reading more of these memoirs.

[Sharon Hayhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could you not read a book with a title like that, and as a bonus, the content is just as pleasing as the title. In cold and rainy New Zealand it has been a pleasure to escape to Galicia with Liza and enjoy her mad goings on in the village and at home with a cast of colourful characters both human and animal, read it, you won’t be disappointed!

[Karen Russell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too gross for me

I think Liza is a bit perverted. All the animal gore was too much while at the same time describing how she tears up at the births. Yuk!

[Pat Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of this memoir - the 2nd book in the author’s ’mad cow’ series. Delighted to pick up where book one left-off - getting to know more about their life and their neighbours in their aldea (very small village) The author, Liza, and her husband Gary get stuck-in to rural life - It’s not all wine, walks and wellies tho - ups & downs do occur in real life! I thoroughly enjoy Liza’s way with words - I like her tell-it-how-it-is way. The blurb for the book is good - I’m off to start book 3.