A Countryman's Lot: Tales From The Dales

by Max Hardcastle, Sean Burke

Max and Vicky Hardcastle have a daydream. One day, they'll sell their cramped city-centre antiques shop and the overflowing upstairs flat and relocate to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. If they could only find the perfect place to house both family and business, then that fantasy might become a reality. . .

When a smallholding in a remote Dales village comes on the market, it seems like the answer to their prayers. Bullpen Farm might need 'some renovation', but it has an orchard, outbuildings and all the charm they've dreamt of. Before long, the Hardcastles find themselves the proud owners of a collection of ramshackle buildings and the newest members of a close-knit community which seems to have more than its fair share of eccentrics.

From the antics of the antiques trade to the uproarious incidents of village life, it turns out that rural living isn't quite as tranquil as they'd imagined!

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, British Literature

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 1991

About the author

Max Hardcastle was born in the old West Riding of Yorkshire, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. He started collecting antiques at an early age, hoarding his treasures - including a five-foot stuffed crocodile - in a disused hen house, known ever after as the 'junk hut'.
After National Service and a brief period working for an engineering company, Max and his family heard the call of the Yorkshire Dales, where they bought a cottage, hung out their sign - Bullpen Antiques - and made a happy living for many years.
Max and his family now live in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, with two dogs, two ponies and an ever-fluctuating population of hens, ducks and pigeons. His only regret is that he no longer has contents of his treasured 'junk hut'.

Reviews

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good memoir. I am delighted to read the trilogy.

[Mr James H Denholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life and land described beautifully

A book full of wonderful characters who will make you laugh until the cows come home. Great stories from a time gone by, I can't wait to read the next book.

[Shanna Stirling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this lighthearted read. Especially as I have lived in the Dales and loved it. Some descriptions of the animal practices were hard to read but apart from that a good book.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know this genre of book, city folk selling up and moving to the country, well this puts a delightfully, different spin on it. When the Hardcastles decide to relocate, it means relocating their small Antiques business as well. This charming book reminded me of the James Herriot novels, maybe because of all the eccentric Dales folk we meet. We read how Max and his wife Vicky renovate their small holding in a remote village. Hear about the fun and machinations of village life, of buying and selling antiques in the surrounding countryside and come to love the countrymen and their tales as much as Max does! We sit with them by the fire at The Ship, their local pub, where anything and everything is discussed and argued about at great length. A captivating cast of characters with names like, The Colonel, Fiery Frank, Little Petal, Ted, Nellie May and Canary Mary will draw you in until you love them all and develop a favourite or two. If you want an entertaining book that will have you smiling, a lot, read this!

[John Field]

This book is okay. However, one problem I had with it is that there are over 30 horrid swear words including blasphemous words. Why do authors have to include these? Swearing doesn't make a book more interesting or attractive - quite the opposite. So, Max, why not write a book without having to include such horrid language!

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of relocating an antiques business from city to countryside and of some of the characters encountered along the way. Easy, light holiday reading.

[Erica Fairs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the Yorkshire Dales, this book tells of the trials and tribulations of a couple selling their city-based antiques business and relocating to the picturesque countryside of the Dales. At times hilarious, Max Hardcastle introduces us to unforgettable country characters who both help and hinder the couple's attempts to set up home and start a new life. A funny, gentle book.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

delightful and humourous tale of an antiques dealer living in the dales and all of the characters which make this book so funny

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good lighthearted book. an easy read.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable light read.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book. The author does a great job of describing the characters and pulling you in

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Hardcastle's book, written with color and humor, and filled with unique characters, depicts daily life in a small Yorkshire Dales village. A fun read.

[Alasdair Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very light easy read.