The Hike

By: Don Shaw

Narrated by: Terry Molloy

Freddy, Phil and Don are three grumpy old men, travelling at various speeds in the slow lane of retirement, at a loss to understand the mad modern world around them.

Their chosen method of escape from all this is a shared weekly hike in the Peak District, come gale, hail, snow or torrential rain. They pass the time bumping into colourful and eccentric locals, but their real passion is bickering among themselves. Not only about the right path to take, but also about where they're all going at the fag end of life. Phil likes to dash up hills trying to beat his personal best, while Freddy plots how to sabotage him - teasing him at leisure and asking deep and difficult questions. Stuck in the middle, Don's only ambition is to stop the squabbling getting out of hand long enough to find a nice pub for lunch.

As warm as the wind is cold, as dry as the lashing rain is wet, The Hike is a hilarious tale of bum-warmers, crayfish-fanciers, East German Trabant enthusiasts, bodger philosophers, sticky ginger cake, gorgeous countryside and the subtle art of 'onedownmanship'.

Critic reviews

Funny, warm and elegiac - Last of the Summer Wine meets A Year in Provence

A masterpiece ... had me crying with laughter

A minor classic ... You should buy this

Great humor of grumpy old men!

This is a great listen. Enjoy the chuckles and the adventures of a group of men living life to the fullest in their final years. We should all be so lucky!

Typically British humor

While listening to books on hiking either the AT or the PCT, I found this gem. Their mannerisms and outlook on life are characteristics of the Britain I remember from childhood. It’s easy to get lost in their lives and struggles. I found this entertaining for my morning commute.