Seriously Mum, Where's that Donkey?

Seriously Mum #2

by Alan Parks

"Seriously Mum, Where’s that Donkey?" is Alan Parks’ follow-up book to "Seriously Mum, What’s an Alpaca?" This book continues the story of Alan and Lorna’s induction into Andalucian life and fills in some of the blanks.
In this book, Alan and Lorna discover that their local town is not quite as sleepy as they had first imagined and that the local ladies will stand by you once their friendship is won.
Alan and Lorna make some great new friends and have a few more unexpected adventures along the way. Add an appearance on Canadian TV into the mix, plus the trials and tribulations of alpaca farming, and this sequel will bring you bang up to date with the lives of two British expats in rural Spain.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Ebooks, Humor, Travel, Spain

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2013

Reviews

[Jean Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bunch of short anecdotes about their life on a farm in Spain/France? In every chapter you're waiting for the story to have some funny or interesting conclusion, and they NEVER do. I made it about 3/4 of the way through and gave up on anything interesting coming from this book.

[Tom King · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kind of like reading letters from your strange Uncle Pete and Aunt Rose telling about their alpaca farm in Spain. Not a lot of story unless you dream of alpaca farming or raising ostriches or something. It was episodic and when I'd waded through following several lengthy visits to the throne room during which I had little else to do, I thought, huh? Okay. Pleasant letter from Uncle Pete. Sounds like they're doing okay.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a rather mundane journal, August 19, 2017

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This review is from: Seriously Mum, Where's that Donkey? (Kindle Edition)

If you are looking for a Spanish, A YEAR IN PROVENCE, this is not it. If, from the title and cover, you are expecting humor, this is the wrong place to look. The book is much like reading a journal or diary of everyday, mundane things. Stray dogs appear at their home, they feed dogs, they take dogs to shelters, they go shopping, some of their paying guests are unpleasant, their car breaks down and the part sent from the UK doesn't fit, the roads are bad, they find a very large toad which frightens Lorna, one of their dogs eats a toad and gets sick, etc. The author calls that bit about the dog and the toad, "the toad experience from hell." If Mr. Parks really thinks that rather ordinary experience with the toad was that bad, he must have lived a very sheltered life. Indeed, a sheltered life describes most of the "adventures" recounted in this book. An odd thing about Alan's and Lorna's Spanish sojourn is that after living there for over two years, neither of them was able to learn Spanish. Then there are the little hints of British superiority such as, "We pulled over by a rickety gate (is there anything else in Spain?).

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, memorable and marvellous.

I've read Alan Parks' first book-Seriously Mum, What's An Alpaca, quite a while back. That was amazing. I bought this book straight after but held off reading it for a bit as I was a bit concerned that it may be difficult to equal the excellence of his first memoir. I needn't have worried at all! Absolutely amazing and wonderful! Really varied as well, this is not just a repeat of the Alpaca scenarios. The book has a great intro and gets off to a fine start. So much information and so well-written. Only Alan Parks could make an episode involving a dog being sick so gripping! There's allsorts to entertain you; vet bills and wonder pills, Zumba classes and wars, drama and panic about Santa-who ate all the......figs?, about Dolores being a pain, balls-ups with cushions, little chickens and feeling a bit fruity-comical mistakes with the lingo! Even by page 35 it was fantastic. The chapter with the awkward guests! Laugh-out-loud moments with these 'Guests from Hell'-I'm sure Alan wasn't laughing at the time though. It really does continue the high standard set in the first book, lots of variety of content; ups and downs, humour, animal stories, language gaffes, barbecue parties etc and car problems again. It was interesting to me that when they sent for a second hand car part they eventually got one from none other than-Yorkshire!-where I live-what a small world! We have a famous motor spares place around here-I'm intrigued as to whether Alan got the part from Cooper Bridge Spares or Doncaster Motor spares-you just never know what's going to turn up in a book! Again, brilliant themed names for his four kittens and he's even included a recipe for his Giant Burgers. Another superb book, I want to read more-so get writing Alan! Moving, memorable and marvellous.

[Odette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great follow-up to Alan's first book. I enjoyed very much reading about how life at Olive MIll is progressing. Interaction with the neighbours and further integration into the local life was very interesting. Alan draws the reader with his writing into his life and found it very difficult to stop reading. Also loved reading about the animals especially the alpacas. No they are not as easy to handle as some people say! Looking forward to reading another episode in Alan and Lorna's lives and to hear the birth of the cria in Alan's next book.

[Chris Gregory]

Fair story, not good enough to recommend

Yes, I really couldn't recommend this book to anyone. There were a few interesting parts that could hold my attention and this one had much better editing than his first book.

However, overall I was bored with the daily journal-like writing of mostly uninteresting drudgery.

[S. Bavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously Mum, Where’s that Donkey?” carries on from where “Seriously Mum, What’s an Alpaca” left off with more rural anecdotes from Andalusia. Some of these are laugh-out-loud funny, while others are more run of the mill. I enjoyed hearing about the author’s animal encounters and more about Alan and Lorna’s lives struggling to settle into an extremely rural lifestyle. The repeated names (multiple Juans and Manuels) made it difficult to keep all the characters straight at times and I think perhaps some names should have been changed to make it less confusing. I particularly enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the unpleasant guests and the fancy dress parade. The episode with the Canadian film crew was funny and I cringed when the alpaca did its party piece at the young TV presenter!
I received a free copy of this book from the We Love Memoirs Facebook group, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own.

[Jean Waddup · Rating 3 out of 5]

I light hearted holiday read

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Seriously Mum, What's an Apaca. Alan's first book and hoped the sequel would be just as interesting. It most certainly is. It is written in Alan's plain down to earth conversational manner and at times makes you laugh aloud, for example at the start of the book when Alan and Lorna go to the local pharmacy to learn that 'Englesh espoken here' and thus begins the start of their friendship with the eccentric Jorge and his family. They are invited for a meal and the brave Lorna manges to eat the galic snails that were part of the meal! I loved the description of the carnival with most folks dressed up in bizarre costumes and where male and female plastic 'bits' were for sale! Alan writes very honestly about the difficulties of financing a place like the Olive Mill and how they are forced to look at various ways of increasing their income. Lorna starts a Zumba class and is promptly engaged in a Zumba war! They opened up their home to paying guests which naturally meant that naturally they had the guests from hell. Their house has been filmed by a Canadian programme called ' Where do you want to live? but during this time the alpacas get amorous the female crew stop tp watch and one girl gets hit by a large green spit. Alan has many anecdotes about life in Montoro and it's certainly never dull. There is lots about the animals but I'm still waiting to see if Lilly has her healthy cria. There's still the lovely excerpts where the animals are given a voice, a nice touch. The book ends on a slightly sad note as Alan recalls their ups and downs and he questions whether they may move. I was nearly in tears when Barb the little cat says goodbye. Again it was good to have the links to blogs etc where readers can see photos etc.

[Gisela Hausmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously Mum, Where's that Donkey? Is a charming collection of stories from the British author’s life as an expat in Spain. Beware that you are not going to find the donkey but lots of other sweet characters. Alan Parks does a fine job introducing how it feels living abroad. From the locals, who introduce themselves with a goal in mind:

(quoting)
"You are English, right?" the man whispered.
"Erm, yes. This is Lorna and I am Alan. How can we help you?"
"Hello, I am George." He shook our hands. "I would like to practice my English with you."

...to future bets friends Ricardo and Rita. They are an English couple from the very same town in England. And while Alan and Lorna, and Ricardo and Rita never met there, even though they lived in close proximity of each other, they get to meet in a supermarket in Spain. Their common English language and accent brought them together.

Alan Parks does a fine job introducing life in Spain to the readers: The opening of a new bar, the author’s wife Lorna establishing her Zumba classes, people having a hard time to understand how solar cells work, and what happens when the neighbor’s wife sunbathes completely in the nude, thereby attracting more than one interested spectator.

However, my favorite story was "Gol, Gol, Gooooool". Since I live in the United States where soccer does not enjoy a devoted following like in Hispanic countries, I can never explain to Americans why this sport is so beloved in other cultures. Alan Parks recreates the passionate excitement superbly.

Highly recommended to all travelers, especially the ones who plan to visit Europe or even Spain itself.

Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book Alan Parks has written about the move he and his partner made from England to Spain to raise alpacas. He talks about every day life in rural Spain, cultural experiences, and lots of animals. Also, Lorna has started teaching zumba to supplement their income, they are considering selling the Olive Mill to relocate closer to the sea, and they make some new friends.

Each chapter is really a self-contained story, though some friends and neighbors do appear more than once. It isn't critical to have read the earlier books to hop in and enjoy this one, but "Seriously Mum, What's an Alpaca" will give the reader more background on alpacas. After several years they are still struggling with the language, and there is an especially funny chapter on language mishaps.

For the animal lover, there is a sad chapter about stray dogs, but Alan and Lorna are animal lovers who clearly try to help out when they can.

[Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is very engaging with plenty of humor and anecdotes about the author and his wife living in Spain and raising llamas. They live in a remote village and electricity is supplied by solar power, so in rainy times it is not available. Alan and Lorna realized that in addition to taking in paying guests in the summer they needed income in the winter, so Lorna began teaching Zumba. After a rocky start, her class surprised her by showing up to class wearing “Zumba Lorna” t-shirts they had made. Alan shares funny stories about them and their village and wrote “I think I have become somewhat of a local oddity, walking with an alpaca on a halter followed by a chicken and two cats like some kind of modern day Pied Piper.” This is the second book, the first one is “Seriously Mum, What Is an Alpaca?”. I read the Kindle version.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously Mum, Where´s That Donkey is the long awaited sequel to "Seriously Mum, What´s an Alpaca". Alan and Lorna´s The Olive Mill is now open for paying guests, they are still farming alpacas and integrating themselves into the local culture and way of life. Join them in their remote and beautiful home high in the mountains near Montoro in Southern Spain, as they ride the highs and lows of running a holiday let business during the credit crisis, along with farming their beloved but rather delicate alpacas. Well written and edited, full of anecdotes and larger than life characters, make yourself comfortable, settle down and be prepared to be caught up in comings and going of The Olive Mill

[Mary L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather delightful memoir of an ex-Brit and his significant other as they try to live as alpaca farmers (ranchers?) in Spain. He tells of the things that happen to them in a gentle humorous way. I think I might try to read the book previous to this one and the book that follows it.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More wonderful adventures of the expats Alan and Lorna! This volume focused more on other animals dogs, donkeys) than the alpacas. I feel like I'm getting to know these two!

[Dhaval · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is quite humorous... It left me chuckling through out the book. A good and light read. Alan Parks is a good writer and brilliant at describing the scenes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan tells cute short stories about the happenings and animals on he & his wife's hobby farm in Spain. Adding in the we're English speaking in a foreign country stories. Very cute, and funny.

[Usagi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like letters from a friend who's sharing their latest adventures in a new land-- an engaging and fun read.

[Stef O'connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously Alan, where's the story? An easy read but has no real story.....I read the book but only because I started it and don't like not finishing a book once I start

[Chris Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

How in the world did this book make in on Amazon. The cover art looks like it was done by a 12 year old and the writing is just plain bad. This is a bad book and bad series

[Dawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so cute. I really enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to get to the others. <3

[Linda Hawkswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Continues at the Olive Mill

This is Alan´s second book and is just as enjoyable and entertaining as the first.
We find them still trying to scrape a living in the beautiful hills of Andalusia with their menagerie of dogs, cats and chickens and of course not forgetting the wonderful Alpaca´s. Parts of the story will have you laughing out loud one minute then the next screaming Why when something else has gone wrong and not to plan. Despite all the challenges they get through it, together and weather the obstacles put in their way.
I loved the narration parts done by the various animals, especially the last one from Barb, bless her. This lives up to the expectations of the first book.
Another enjoyable read, thank you Alan

[Chris Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't do book reviews........ I read the book and if I liked it I give it up to 5 stars, if I didn't then it gets a 2, if I didn't finish then it's a 1, that's it I'm afraid.

I read it, I like it, I want more from the author.

As with a vast number of Kindle books there might be the odd spelling and punctuation errors.
After reading well over 500 Kindle books of all types and subjects you get use to them and they become less noticeable, unless they effect the story.
The more these errors effect the story the less stars I give it even if the story is a good one.

[Ruth Dresher-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

In book one, the move from England had a cohesive timeline the book followed allowing the reader to get to know the players, the critters and the people introduced both Spanish and others. This book is more an anecdotal tale, no so much as a timeline but a trip through the highlights and lesser lights of continuous living off the grid in rural Andalusia. The characters are generally humorous, the events both fun and endearing as Nick and Lorna try to survive financially while pursuing their love for the Olive Mill.

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an American living in Spain made the stories about trying to understand Spanish culture a lot of fun. Also having had the privilege of visiting Alan and Lorna's farm makes these stories come to life for me. Alan is a great storyteller, and I found myself laughing out loud at some of his predicaments. This is a short, easy, and very enjoyable read.

[Saby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice happy ride with Alpacas and other animals!

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. There are some small repetitions from the earlier book, but I guess that this was necessary for readers who have not read it. I look forward to reading the next book in the series asap. I'm on a roll!

[daisy riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mad!

Move to the middle of nowhere in another country, not speaking the language and breeding alpacas. Mad on several counts. No wonder the English have a reputation for eccentricity!
This diary of life in Spain is a nice entertaining and humorous read.

[Katemurphy1999hotmail.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is that donkey.

If this book is called seriously Mum where is that donkey, why were alpacas talked about the most. Interesting read. There should have been more reference to the donkey

[Lesley Ridden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Summer Reading

Very funny book and as I am a lover of travelogues,this fits the bill perfectly. My only wish is that it was a little longer

[Carla T. Doub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Just lovely. The first book was great and this the second book is too. Very much enjoy learning about life in Spain.