Eric Robson (1)

Broadcaster and Cumbrian farmer, Eric Robson, is best known as the host of Radio 4's Gardners Question Time or, in walking circles, as the man who accompanied the legendary Alfred Wainwright on a series of Lake District walks for television in the 1980s. Here we accompany him on a walk along the England-Scotland border, from the Solway Firth on the west coast to Berwick on the east. This is not a walking guide, with directions and detailed maps, instead it is a narrative account of a journey show more through border country, supported by lots of history and numerous anecdotes, some more humorous than others, many - by the author's own admission - of the 'grumpy old man' school, and some likely to be distinctly unpalatable to ardent Scottish nationalists. Whilst I found some of Robson's soap-box moments a little grating, they are mild by comparison with many of the opinions expressed in writing these days and, at their best, probably added to the character of the book. If he set out with the intention of selling this route to other potential walkers then he fails spectacularly, since it often sounds like very hard work for little reward. However, I don't think that was his intention. I think his point was that whilst there may not be much pleasure in the journey itself, it does provide a structure around which a knowledgeable writer can weave an interesting narrative, with plenty of insight into life in border regions, now and in the past. show less