I've read and enjoyed all of Beth Haslam's lovely books about moving to France. It's been nice waiting for each next chapter in their story, and it had become a very comfy, cosy series; I knew at the start of each one I would enjoy it as much as the previous ones. Here we have a complete change where Beth talks about her childhood in Wales. A welcome change, I think; something fresh, and it was interesting to read the backstory to her other memoirs. Beth's skilled descriptions make this sound the perfect place to live. The happiness and excitement that shows through, it's just beautiful. I love her way with words; you get the impression that every one is selected with utmost care. It's a complete luxury to read something as meticulous as this. Unpredictable, and with chuckles too. It’s really quite charming, and such a treat to read. A nice extra touch is the inclusion of traditional Welsh recipes. Beth’s new memoir has all the right ingredients: Childhood, school days, an array of animals, nostalgia, rich descriptions, and all having that beautiful Welsh backdrop, which she refers to with such love. This is a very special book. Beth Haslam's books just get better and better. I know, I said it before, and it may seem like just something I say.... but it isn't. I love all her books, and did wonder if this 'different one' would be as good..... But it actually could be her best yet! So perfectly formed and finished off. Superb.

I love books that inspire and teach me something. This wonderful memoir of a young girl growing up in rural Wales does both. It is a beautifully written account of a time gone by and a childhood filled with horses, ponies, dogs, cats and a host of other creatures. You can see that this is where her love of animals written about in her other books stems from. Beth Haslam deftly weaves the history, folklore and the mysticism of Wales into her own story, awakening the reader’s interest to delve deeper into these subjects and enticing them to visit this land of song and legend – there are actually many useful links at the end of the book to enable this. Through her evocative, descriptive writing, I explored crumbling castles with histories of gore and valour, felt the excitement of horse races and joy of dingy racing, and experienced the thrill and terror of sailing in open seas. I felt as if I was alongside the author as she describes her loving home that she leaves for life in an archaic boarding school that conjures up images of ‘Hogwarts’. Her love of the landscape of Wales also shines through, be it gentle meadows and leafy lanes, majestic snow-capped mountains, heather robed moorland or the wild tempestuous sea. I have lived most of my life in this glorious part of the country and she has captured the heart and soul of ‘Welshness’. The book is further enriched with each chapter beginning with a quote from Welsh literature and ending with a little language lesson, plus links to some traditional Welsh recipes at the end. I raced through the first 90% of the book and drew out the last 10% - I simply didn’t want it to end. Da iawn Beth.