Urban Hymns (Guitar Tab)

Made me want an adventure of my own, how I admired these three lovely older ladies, a great read, thoroughly enjoyed it.

4.5*After reading The Runaway Wife, I was looking forward to Connie McColl’s next adventure very much. And I wasn’t disappointed. Connie is beginning to get itchy feet. Having been single again for almost three years, living in her daughter’s London apartment, Connie feels cut off from friends and family. The need for adventure beckons. Fate intervenes when Connie begins researching her family. Following the death of her aunt, a box containing old papers, letters and a marriage certificate was found in the attic. After all this time Connie discovered she has an Italian grandmother. On her way to Sussex to visit with her family the train is delayed by a fallen tree branch on the track—right near a caravan dealership. The seeds of an idea are planted.'Connie went back to bed and managed to drift off for half an hour before she awoke yet again to thoughts of La Bellezza and her two unlikely passengers. It would be far more sensible to go for the smallest motorhome available and set off on her own. She needn’t even tell the other two because it wasn’t as if they were close friends. Or, more sensible still, get on an aeroplane, like any normal, sensible person would do. But, thought Connie, I damned well don’t want to be sensible! And, because I’m not getting any younger, if I’m going to have another adventure, now’s the time!’Connie, along with her two new friends from her flower arranging class, Maggie and Gill, set out on their road trip. Gill is trying to forget it’s her 70th birthday and would love a holiday romance, while Maggie is fed up with her partner Ringer, who, apart from taking Maggie for granted and spending much of his time in jail, appears to have another woman. Maggie’s impulsive act before she leaves has repercussions for the three of them down the line, adding a little suspense.The plan is to meander their way down through France and into Italy, stopping where ever takes their fancy, where eventually Connie hopes to find some information on the Italian side of her family. Or better still, one of her long lost relatives. Dee MacDonald brings the journey to life with wonderful descriptions of the towns, cities, countryside and beaches they visit, and the people they meet.It makes a refreshing change to have more mature protagonists and it was lovely to see the development, especially in Gill and Maggie, as the story progresses. Three differing personalities, living in such close contact, have their occasional ups and downs but that only makes it all the more realistic. The trip turns in a journey of self discovery, finding themselves in funny and poignant situations, and ending with totally unexpected outcomes for the three adventurers. A delightful, fun-filled read of travel, hilarity and wonderful characters. I loved it, and the fact it supports the idea that you’re never too old to follow your dreams is perfect.

I had read some of the reviews of this book and there were some negative. But I had already read Runaway Wife and the Silver ladies of Penny Lane. And let’s face it not everybody likes the same subject matter. Im not going to spoil it by describing the plot but this book is brilliant. It’s a magical follow up to Runaway Wife. I loved Connie her 2 travelling companions and all the weird and wonderful people they met on their travels. Descriptions of their travels and the wonderful countryside was outstanding and not boring. You could imagine yourself there. So a wonderful book by a great author.

Having read The Runaway Wife already I was more than eager to see what Connie would get up to again in this adventure. Connie is a mature lady that took a chance to find herself instead of just being someone’s mum and wife and she came alive, now a couple of years down the road she is ready to venture a little further. Connie decides to go in search of long-lost relatives in Italy but she doesn’t do things by halves, oh no, she wants to drive there.Connie mentions the her trip to a couple of acquaintances at her flower arranging class and before she knows it the two old dears have volunteered themselves to be holiday partners. Gill is looking for a little holiday romance and Maggie wants to get out of a relationship before she is pushed out. They don’t really know anything about each other but lifelong friendships can happen at anytime and believe me these three have a lot of miles in them yet!Being a mature lady myself I really wanted to be on board this trip, I smiled, I chuckled and whooped along as the three of them left an imprint of their stay across France and Italy. Now being the reader you are privy to each of the ladies backgrounds and what they say and how things really are don’t always match. It makes for some heart in your mouth moments.I loved the shopping trips and taking chances but mostly the people they met, the strangers that welcomed these three pioneers and felt richer for it. This story didn’t just make me laugh, it made me feel young because I could do this. It was lovely to see how they all blossomed.It isn’t about the getting to the destination this is about stopping and smelling the roses on the way. The people they meet, past relationships of what ifs that could finally be put to rest and the courage to live for now. It is never too late. It left me with my hand on my heart and sighs of pure pleasure! Just loved it!

Enjoyed catching up with Connie .I liked this story as much as runaway wife.nice to read something about older women.

I really enjoyed reading this and made me think that sometimes you really have to take chance whatever your age. I loved how the three started off as acquaintances and saw each other’s weakness and strengths but became such good friends. A feel good book

Loved this book from beginning to end, I so want to do what they did & I love ItalyAm reading the next one The Runaway Wife, so far so good

Very refreshing and funny. Lots of references to places o haven’t had the luxury to visit but have now been inspired to google!