Librarian living in Northern California.
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Comments for A Parrot in the Pepper Tree
A Parrot in the Pepper Tree: 11/25/06
Two years ago I read and enjoyed Driving Over Lemons, the memoir of a British ex-pat and his family's life in Spain. A Parrot in the Pepper Tree is the follow up book, covering the time when Stewart was writing his first book along with some memories from his youth.
While I felt the bits about his attempt at being a rock star were rather dull, the rest of the book more than makes up for one skip-worthy chapter. The majority of his book takes place in the year when he was writing his first memoir. He describes all his different attempts at farming including a bleak winter drive into Sweden to shear sheep and a go at growing potatoes. Neither venture goes well but he takes the disasters with a good sense of humor. To his sup rise, he succeeds as a writer even though his daughter insists that he can't write (at least in Spanish).
Here is my BookCrossing review:
It took me longer to read than expected but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Chris Stewart is an enthusiastic ex-pat making a living in Spain with his wife and daughter. He tries his hand at sheep sheering, farming and flamenco but ultimately it is writing that he excels at.
Harriet:
Harriet is doing really well on her first big trip. She is sleeping through the night and napping during the day. When she's neither eating nor sleeping she is a laughing, smiling and playful child.
In many ways this Thanksgiving trip has been easier than Sean's first Thanksgiving even though we have the chaos of two children. Part of it is temperament. Harriet has mellowed a great deal from her first month. Part of it is experience. We've learned what the bare minimum we need to take for traveling and are able to pack lightly.
Wally the dog seems to have gotten used to having two small children around the house. Sean has gotten over his initial fear of the dog and Harriet isn't sure what to make of him when he comes over to sniff her.
Steps: 3500