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| New Boots in New Zealand: Nine Great Walks, Three Islands and One Tramping Virgin | 
 enlarge | Author: Gillian Orrell
Publisher: Know the Score Books
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £6.99
You Save: £2.00 (22%)
New (7) from £5.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 255867
Media: Paperback
Pages: 312
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 1905449402
EAN: 9781905449408
ASIN: 1905449402
Publication Date: October 21, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great Read. July 2, 2008
Let me start by saying that this is a great book. The narrative is very readable and enjoyable. The author is likable and her descriptions help put you right in the moment with her.
At times the narrative moves a bit quickly and you feel like she has only brushed the surface of her moments in nature, but the overall journey for the reader is a pleasant one.
On a different note, I find her militant opinions on hikers who collect abandoned snail shells as souvenirs, and her laughable worries on relieving oneself in the woods, a bit ludicrous for a woman who gleefully joins ruffian goat hunters in the scene of their graphic jet-boat hunting party.
Still the information on the beliefs and personalities of the locals, as well as some detailed information on the New Zealand Dept. of Conservation, is enlightening and helpful.
Better than many other books about New Zealand, read this book for some fun introduction and inspiration, but then cast her journey aside and go live one of your own!
Inspirational Book About An Inspirational Country May 11, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I must admit when I first read the back cover about Gillian Orrell abandoning a corporate life in London to tramp in New Zealand, I did think "Oh no, not another person who's made more money than I'll ever see in my life, bleating about how they are burnt out and now need to find themselves"; but once you're past the slightly school-marmish "Taking Care of Things" chapter it becomes apparant that this is very much not the case.
It's a marvelous description of the walks, the country, its people and someone gradually becoming very comfortable with herself. It's a very honest book.
Having visited South Island myself, I could really identify with the topics she covers, like the sacredness of the land and how you can feel the presence of its spirits or guardians. Like her, I felt the obsession to pick up any litter I saw (not that there is much) because even a single sweet wrapper feels like an eyesore in such a pristine and beautiful land.
The only problem I have with this book is that it will inspire too many other people to try out the walks for themselves! That's the beauty of the New Zealand, it's still somewhere you can walk or drive for a day and not encounter anyone. It's a place where you don't have to listen to people's mp3 players, mobile phone noises and chattering. It's one of the last great beautiful wildernesses.
Fush and Chups... March 5, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
...is how you tell the difference between an Aussie and a Kiwi. Just get them both to say that. That, however, is about the only piece of Kiwi-land information missing from this book. That's not to say that it is a plodding info-fest; far from it. Providing an engaging, entertaining first-hand account of all nine Great Walks, describing their ecological, historical and cultural significance along the way, all the while weaving in strands of self-discovery and making it clear that two things are inevitable on a NZ tramp: by day you will get soaked and by night your food will be eaten by rodents - this is a top book. This book doesn't present a rose-tinted, NZ-tourist-board endorsed picture postcard of the islands, rather it portrays a real place full of dirt, rain and ignorantly-introduced wildlife, but one also containing some of the finest landscapes known to man, massively dedicated people striving to maintain those landscapes, and the weird and wonderful humans who wander around them. Highly recommended.
Loved It February 13, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent, funny and impossible to put down. You'll want to do the Great Walks after reading this, though maybe not in such close succession as the author! Wonderful advert for the glories of New Zealand as well.
Inspiring! December 15, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
An excellent record of a very independent journey through some of the most exciting and varied landscapes that New Zealand has to offer. Written in a straight-forward, very readable style - full of humour, but also packed with facts about New Zealand's history, ecology and culture. I found it hard to put down. An inspiring story which makes you want to just get out there and live life! Great photos too.
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