It has to be said that the broadcaster and writer Eric Robson doesn’t look as good as Jackie Moffat of The Funny Farm (above), but they both have a love of Cumbria, and a wicked sense of humour so, until Jackie brings out a sequel to her best-seller, try this for an exceptionally entertaining read. In the 1980s Eric had made a number of television programmes with Alfred Wainwright, the famed writer on Lakeland hill walks, who had written many books, but only two on long distance walks. This book is the story of Eric’s creation of a third walk, of 190 miles, going in a circuit round the edges of the Lakeland fells, starting and finishing at Penrith, involving an Everest and a half of ascent and intended to take a fortnight. The idea was to film the whole thing, so Eric set of in autumn with Jess the collie, and an increasingly bolshie film-crew. This is another book that will have you howling with laughter in many places, but it also has perceptive and opinionated views on the Cumbrian countryside and what is happening to it. A great read, even if you don’t walk the hills. Complete with many of the original Wainwright drawings for the climbs involved. 205 pages. Hardback. Striding Edge.