I'm Jackie, and I quit work in 2016 to hit the road permanently with my husband and four dogs, so road tripping is close to my heart. Initially, we were Adventure Caravanners, who aimed To Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before.
Now, we’re at large in a self-converted six-wheel army lorry, with Mongolia in our sights.
I have published four books Fur Babies in France, Dog on the Rhine, Dogs ‘n’ Dracula, and Pups on Piste, all within one of my favourite genres; light-hearted travel memoirs. My forthcoming books will chronicle a tour of Poland in a pandemic and our new life as Trucking Idiots.
I wrote...
Year 1 - Fur Babies in France: From Wage Slaves to Living the Dream
By
Jacqueline Lambert
What is my book about?
Have you ever thought of giving up work and heading off into the sunset with surfboards on your roof? If you answer 'Yes' – or you just like dogs, travel, or recreational vehicles, this book is for you.
Year 1 – Fur Babies in France follows the true story of how my husband Mark and I accidentally bought a caravan – then decided to rent out the house, sell most of our possessions and tour Europe full-time with our four dogs, Cavapoodles Kai, Rosie, Ruby, and Lani.
Described as ‘Laugh out loud funny and a great travel guide’, discover whether we survive the breakages and near-death experience to find peace and tranquillity on the back roads of France – with a bit of windsurfing thrown in!
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
The Books I Picked & Why
Marie Potter and The Campervan of Doom
By
Brian Burke
Why this book?
Brian and his wife Marie (pronounced Marry) embark on a two-year epic road trip around Europe in Gemima the Hymer, an RV who would definitely have preferred to stay at home.
Even without a Camper Van of Doom, resilience and a sense of humour are essential travel companions. With the scrapes these two get in, they needed plenty of both. I laughed out loud at the imaginative turns of phrases used to describe the tribulations, destinations, and people they met. This book stands out as one of the funniest I’ve ever read.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
The Sat Nav Diaries
By
Adrian Sturrock
Why this book?
The author bought a Mazda sports car on a whim, which prompted him to plan a mid-life road trip through Europe. His wife Nat decided to go along for the ride, and I am so glad she did. The banter between them is like a comedy double act.
Road trip memoirs are frequently a catalogue of calamities, a search for self, or a directory of delectable destinations. This book is notably devoid of disasters and empty of ‘eureka' moments. In fact, very little actually happens…
Yet in a series of wry observations, witty perspectives, and entertaining sketches, Adrian captures the flavour of the trip masterfully, with huge belly laughs thrown in. I can’t wait to read more from this thoughtful, funny writer.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Vroom With a View : In Search of Italy's Dolce Vita on a '61 Vespa
By
Peter Moore
Why this book?
Vroom With A View is a giggle-filled rev around Italy aboard a vintage Vespa motor scooter.
I am a born-again Italian. In the same way I love everything about Italy, I loved everything about this book. Good travel writing makes you want to jump out of your chair and hit the road yourself. From the snippets of history about an Italian classic, the Vespa motor scooter, to the descriptions of wonderful off-the-beaten-path places and the irrepressible kindness and spirit of the Italian people, I defy you not to want to sample la vita Italiana after reading this book!
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Three Men in a Float: Across England at 15 mph
By
Dan Kieran,
Ian Vince
Why this book?
Entry into the Mongol Rally from Europe to Ulan Ude in Russia requires a car with a maximum engine size of 1.0 litre. The premise is that such a farcically inappropriate vehicle will invite adventure and interaction with locals.
Obviously, a 600-mile odyssey across southern Britain in an elderly electric milk float, with unreliable batteries and a top speed of 15 mph invites all kinds of mishaps.
Comedy writers Dan and Ian tackle alternate chapters. Since Dan authored the bestselling trilogy Crap Towns: a guide to the worst towns in Britain, there is plenty of off-the-wall detail about the places they passed through. Reliant on the kindness of strangers and third man Pras, an electrician with magical powers, this is a gently comic, informative, and quirky alternative to Jerome K. Jerome’s classic.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Not Tonight, Josephine: A Road Trip Through Small-Town America
By
George Mahood
Why this book?
Impecunious Brits George and his friend Mark decide to search for the ‘real’ America, crossing the continent from east to west in a clapped-out old car.
At every point, amid clouds of smoke, impending mechanical Armageddon, and brushes with the law, it seems unlikely that they’ll make it. One night, in the middle of nowhere, when ominous sounds emanating from the engine, George pleads, “Not tonight, Josephine…!”
The author has a humorous conversational style and paints an unforgettable portrait of the unlikely places he passed through. I thoroughly enjoyed this bump-start, clunk, and judder across the States with the frustrating but lovable Josephine!
