Two Degrees West: A Walk Along England's Meridian

The two degrees west meridian constitutes the spine of England, the mast from Berwick to Birmingham to Bournemouth that keeps the sails from Cornwall to Norfolk in the wind. Thus, Crane's journey along and within a two kilometer band inside this meridian offers a randomly selected cross section portrait of the English landscape, an undertaking typical of a country that gave us the ministry of silly walks. Bound by his self-inflicted rules, Crane travels through the realm of the kingdom.

England is a highly civilized place. In many other countries, his stroll would be either much more dangerous or much less pleasant. In Switzerland, a walk from north to south would sooner or later meet the Alps, which, given his two kilometer band show more constraint, would pose world-class obstacles in his path. In Austria, a (flopped) reality TV series followed the participants along a West-East path which resulted in a climbing equipment-fest by boring hikes through the empty plains. England is lucky in having no mountains or wide rivers to speak of, a dense road network and high population density. Even though Crane's encounters in the countryside often are with the sad, the old, the outcast and the losers of modernity, he always finds both company, food and shelter in proximity.

As a middle-aged white guy, Crane falls in the neat non-threatened, non-threatening spot. How would a trespassing young bearded Muslim carrying a backpack fare? The liberal right of way in England also contrasts favorably with the ubiquitous "no trespassing" signs in the US. Being a good sport is also very English. The US produces The Amazing Race, the UK this somewhat bland journey through nowhere. As a reader you expect something to happen, but it doesn't (at least, if you expect more than a warm bear in a pub). show less

Packed with information about history, geography and geology. I enjoyed especially the vivid encounters the with the local people, which make this book a pleasure to read and add colour to the facts.