Walking the Woods and the Water

In 2012, British writer Nick Hunt embarked on a journey across Europe by foot, following the route taken by Patrick Leigh Fermor in 1933. The path stretches from Holland to Constantinople, crossing eight countries and nearly 2,500 miles. Hunt's travelogue contrasts his modern observations with Fermor's pre-war account, documenting how Europe has transformed over 78 years. His encounters with locals, fellow travelers, and landscapes create a parallel narrative to Fermor's classic travel books. The narrative tracks Hunt's physical challenges and daily experiences while exploring themes of history, memory, and change in European culture. His descriptions capture both city and wilderness, from the Rhine Valley to the Carpathian Mountains to the Balkan Peninsula. This work examines how time reshapes places and people, while considering what remains constant in the European landscape and character. The book raises questions about the nature of travel writing itself, and whether it's possible to truly follow in another's footsteps.

Readers appreciate Hunt's commitment to following Patrick Leigh Fermor's exact route across Europe, with many noting his keen observations of how the landscape and culture have changed since the 1930s. Several reviews highlight Hunt's writing style as more approachable than Fermor's, making complex historical events accessible. Readers liked: - Detailed comparisons between past and present - Personal encounters with local people - Historical context woven throughout - Clear, unpretentious prose Readers disliked: - Frequent references to Fermor's original books, making it harder to read as a standalone - Some sections feel rushed compared to others - Less dramatic narrative tension than Fermor's accounts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (589 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (106 ratings) Notable review quote: "Hunt doesn't try to imitate Fermor's baroque prose style but finds his own voice - straightforward and honest about both the pleasures and difficulties of the journey." - Guardian reader review

Between the Woods and the Water by Patrick Leigh Fermor The second part of Fermor's European walking trilogy follows the same route Hunt retraced, documenting his 1934 journey through Hungary and Romania.

The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane A writer's trek through Britain's remote landscapes connects modern wandering with ancient paths and natural history.

Clear Waters Rising by Nicholas Crane A 10,000-kilometer solo walk across Europe's mountain ranges from Cape Finisterre to Istanbul chronicles the cultures and landscapes of high places.

The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane A foot journey along prehistoric paths, pilgrim routes, and ancient walkways reveals the deep connections between paths and human history.

On Trails by Robert Moor An exploration of paths from ant trails to hiking routes examines how humans and animals create and follow paths across landscapes.

🌲 Nick Hunt's journey retraces the exact 1933 route of legendary travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor, walking nearly 2,500 miles from Holland to Constantinople. 🗺️ The book's title is a play on Leigh Fermor's own works "A Time of Gifts" and "Between the Woods and the Water," which documented his original journey. 🌍 During his trek, Hunt discovered that many of the regions and cultures Leigh Fermor encountered had dramatically changed, including areas that were once behind the Iron Curtain. ⏱️ The journey took Hunt seven months to complete, during which he often slept rough in forests, fields, and abandoned buildings. 🎯 Hunt chose to begin his journey on December 9, 2011—exactly 78 years after Leigh Fermor started his walk—to maintain a parallel with the original expedition.