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Walking Home

My Family and Other Rambles

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Walking Home

By: Clare Balding
Narrated by: Clare Balding
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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Walking Home, by Clare Balding.

In Clare Balding's family, walking just took too long - she galloped through the countryside and she galloped through life. Then, in 1999, Clare took a call from a BBC producer looking for a presenter for a new radio series. "Do you walk?" she asked. "Well, I walk the dog...."

That series, Ramblings, is still going strong - and Clare's caught the walking bug. Now she wants her family to share some of that pleasure. Her and her brother Andrew are determined to conquer the Wayfarer's Walk, a 71-mile route. What could possibly go wrong?

©2014 Clare Balding (P)2014 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Walking Home

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  • Overall
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excellent

Where does Walking Home rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the best

What was one of the most memorable moments of Walking Home?

an insight into her family

Which character – as performed by Clare Balding – was your favourite?

too many to mention

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

both

Any additional comments?

not really above says it all

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Both enjoyable and thought provoking

Clare Balding has produced a worthy successor to "My Animals and Other Family", which manages to be part interesting autobiography, part thought provoking set of anecdotes from the people she has met, and part evangelical tract on the benefits of putting one foot in front of the other. Accompanied by her soothing voice (and a few dodgy imitations of accents) this is a highly recommended book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love listening to Clare's ramblings about her life.

Such an easy and interesting listen. Clare is undoubtedly a National Treasure, an immensely talented presenter and we are lucky to have her. Written and read with thought, compassion and humour. More please.....

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Clare Balding is engaging about walking and family

Clare talks about the Wayfarer's Way which passes her family home at Kingsclere in Hampshire. She walks the Way with her brother and friends and family. It is also autobiographical and we learn a lot about the family seat, close friends and her wife Alice. Occasionally dogmatic about her passions but engaging. There are inspiring sections about racing horse training, London 2012 Olympics and Clare's other broadcasts.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional

Loved every word,so beautifully written and read. Inspiring too, off to read her first now ;-) better late than never. Then I must go for a walk, thanks Clare

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Excellent

Just lovely. Like a good walk....fab from start to finish and better still for being read by Clare herself.

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Made me cry!

Where does Walking Home rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This ranks very highly amongst my audible reads. I didn't even know I liked Clare Balding. Now I want to be her best friend.

What did you like best about this story?

The heart breaking tale of Alice and Clare's puppy had me sobbing like a baby while sitting in traffic on the M25! However, Clare's skill as a weaver of tales became evident when I found myself laughing again (or at least smiling again) only moments later.

What does Clare Balding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A personal insight that means the tone exactly matches the narrative

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable romp narrated by the author

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this as a light and enjoyable listen, which is great because it's narrated by the author. She tells us about her life, family and upbringing as well as covering her career and the Olympics. The only parts I didn't enjoy as much were the walking group passages, as these don't add anything much about the author and the segments are too brief to get to know the other characters.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story about when Clare got her first puppy was very moving and I found all the comments about her life to be fascinating.

Any additional comments?

A light and quick listen giving insight into Clare's life and character. Witty and amusing at times, thoughtful and sad at other times. There are also some good descriptions of walks, and I found those relating to paths I had been on / about places I knew were of course, most interesting.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I'm in love with the voice, the stories and the joy within

I'm not a walker, not sporty and don't have the kind of family she describes. That said if Clare Balding asked me to walk backwards or barefoot I'm pretty certain I'd give it a try.

She makes the every day strangeness of doing what you want of stepping if the beaten track in life normal and enjoyable not fun in the laugh yourself till your sides hurt but rather filled with a joy that pours through your ears into your soul or soles.

Who knows I might even try walking.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Life affirming Clare Balding does it again

What did you like most about Walking Home?

If you enjoyed Clare Balding's previous autobiography, you will like this. Full of honest character portraits and humour, it rollicks along like the brisk walks that are so well described. It made me want to look for the podcasts of Ramblings which is the Radio 4 series that the book is derived from.

What did you like best about this story?

It encouraged us to keep on walking, even when it becomes harder and the weather is miserable.

What about Clare Balding’s performance did you like?

She reads her own words very well as though they have only just been penned. You can tell that she is an experienced and enjoyable to listen to radio professional. Creating pictures and people through commentary is a wonderful art worth preserving in this visual age.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Walking with friends and family - blisters and all.

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to further tales from Clare.

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