person or book cover
Image courtesy of Allen & Unwin
Issue Details: First known date: 2007... 2007 The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Elizabeth Best had always wanted to go on a pilgrimage. Colin Bowles had never given it a moment's thought. But by a twist of fate the two barely acquainted writers seize the day and drop everything to retrace one of the oldest pilgrim routes in the western world, through the heart of Spain to Santiago de Compostela. It's meant to be a stroll in the sun, but they're under-prepared and carrying way too much baggage, in every sense. So what starts out as a physical challenge - it's a thousand kilometres, give or take -- very quickly becomes a far greater struggle with demons they've kept hidden in the too-hard backpack for years. Joined by grumpy monks, mad nuns and French cyclists with too much testosterone the two battle exhaustion and their pasts, fuelled by red wine and a perverse determination not to be beaten by a Spanish heat wave, the mountains or themselves.

'Set against a stunning background of golden wheat fields, misty mountains and tumbledown villages that haven't changed in centuries, The Year We Seized the Day is utterly compelling, by turns inspiring, moving and blackly funny, as two very different writers recount with astonishing candour an extraordinary journey of a lifetime.' (Publisher's blurb)

Notes

  • Dedication: This book is dedicated to El's grandfather, Bob. And to Col's father, Joe, who died while this book was in final edit. Two old soldiers and gentlemen. We hope we made you proud.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Crows Nest, North Sydney - Lane Cove area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Allen and Unwin , 2007 .
      person or book cover
      Image courtesy of Allen & Unwin
      Extent: 299p.
      Description: illus., map
      ISBN: 9781741750683
    • Crows Nest, North Sydney - Lane Cove area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Arena , 2010 .
      Extent: 321p.
      Description: 1 map
      ISBN: 9781742372952 (pbk.)

Other Formats

  • Also sound recording.

Works about this Work

Armchair Journey Bruce Elder , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16-17 January 2010; (p. 5) The Age , 16 January 2010; (p. 5)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Untitled Dominique Wilson , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: Wet Ink , Autumn no. 10 2008; (p. 63-64)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Fearless Examination from Unlikely Pair Christopher Bantick , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 29 - 30 September 2007; (p. 29)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Spanish Pilgrimages Generate Tears of Rage and Hymns of Joy Barry Oakley , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 28-29 July 2007; (p. 5)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography ; Walking the Camino : A Modern Pilgrimage to Santiago Tony Kevin , 2007 single work autobiography
The Odd Couple's Quest for Forgiveness Genevieve Swart , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 8 July 2007; (p. 4)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
The Odd Couple's Quest for Forgiveness Genevieve Swart , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 8 July 2007; (p. 4)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Spanish Pilgrimages Generate Tears of Rage and Hymns of Joy Barry Oakley , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 28-29 July 2007; (p. 5)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography ; Walking the Camino : A Modern Pilgrimage to Santiago Tony Kevin , 2007 single work autobiography
Fearless Examination from Unlikely Pair Christopher Bantick , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 29 - 30 September 2007; (p. 29)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Untitled Dominique Wilson , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: Wet Ink , Autumn no. 10 2008; (p. 63-64)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Armchair Journey Bruce Elder , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16-17 January 2010; (p. 5) The Age , 16 January 2010; (p. 5)

— Review of The Year We Seized the Day : A True Story of Friendship, Fury and Sore Feet Elizabeth Best , Colin Bowles , 2007 single work autobiography
Last amended 29 Aug 2012 15:36:35
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