My Midsummer Morning

Rediscovering a Life of Adventure

De: Alastair Humphreys

A Financial Times Summer Book of 2019

Seasoned adventurer Alastair Humphreys pushes himself to his very limits – busking his way across Spain with a violin he can barely play.

In 1935 a young Englishman named Laurie Lee arrived in Spain. He had never been overseas; had hardly even left the quiet village he grew up in. His idea was to walk through the country, earning money for food by playing his violin in bars and plazas.

Nearly a century later, the book Laurie Lee wrote – As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning – inspired Alastair Humphreys. It made him fall in love with Spain – the landscapes and the spirit – and with Laurie's style of travel. He travelled slow, lived simply, slept on hilltops, relished spontaneity, and loved conversations with the different people he met along the hot and dusty road.

For 15 years, Alastair dreamed of retracing Laurie Lee’s footsteps, but could never get past the hurdle of being distinctly unmusical. This year, he decided to go anyway. The journey was his most terrifying yet, risking failure and humiliation every day, and finding himself truly vulnerable to the rhythms of the road and of his own life. But along the way, he found humility, redemption and triumph. It was a very good adventure.

Reseñas de la Crítica

'Humphreys is clearly slightly bonkers and this is a wonderful thing'
Geographical Magazine

‘Compelling reading … It’s honest and human’ The Great Outdoors magazine

‘Without a doubt Alastair’s best writing … intriguing and captivating’ The Outdoor Adventure Blog

‘Funny, heartwarming and above all, it was a very honest read’ Adventure Geek

‘Deeply personal … brave’ The Grown-Up Gap Year

‘A brutally honest, refreshing and heart-warming read’ Humans Resourced

‘Alastair’s books never fail to ignite the spark for travel in me, but this one is my favourite to date’ On: Yorkshire magazine

‘My Midsummer Morning is an honest and sincere look at a man trying to define himself. And it is Humphreys’ open and genuine spirit that provides the authenticity’ The Writer Shed

A beautiful and inspiring book

I loved this book even more than I thought I would. I was expecting an entertaining travelogue that would motivate me to go on a trip of my own, and Alastair definitely met that expectation. But I was happily surprised with how much time he spent discussing the challenges of balancing the “selfish” life of adventuring with aging, being married, working a job and having a family. He goes into great detail about his personal struggles with, what felt like, a life devolving into domestic mediocrity. It was encouraging to see, almost in real time, him working through his conflicting desires for happiness as he pivots from “living life for the next adventure” to “living an adventurous life”. This is a great read for anyone who has wanderlust, and required reading for anyone in a mid-life or transitional period.

One of the best travel / adventure books out there

I love this book. Open, honest, and heartfelt. This is one I will keep coming back to.

Loved this Book

Loved listening to this book and definitely would not do what the author did, however I have been on The Camino , 4 times. Completed once and sections 3 other times. Listening to this book makes me want to return one more time. I’m 71.

Amazing book from start to finish

Great book, it really captures the struggle of transforming from a constant adventurer to family life. At times I felt that Allister had put my exact current emotions directly into his book. I'll have to buy a paper copy to enjoy again.

Another adventure with Al

I’m so glad Al’s books have finally started to come to audible. I have enjoyed reading every single one (including his kids books to my classroom). His story about balancing work, life, adventure, and family really hit home with me. I sympathize with his selfishness of adventure and freedom yet wanting to be a family man. Thank you for writing this book Al!