“enchanting”
“heart-warming”
“a seismic inspiration”

Fifty Miles with my Dad

By May de la Rue


eBook

Available in hardback (RRP £18), paperback (RRP £9.95) and eBook (£4.99)


BUY NOW:

 
 

Author: May de la Rue
Format: eBook
ISBN: 978-1-9162450-2-0
On Sale: Date to be advised
List Price: List Price: £4.99 net proceeds in aid of the ‘Fifty Miles with my Dad’ Fund at Suffolk Community Foundation. Grants from the fund are made to charities and community groups supporting those with disability, the infirm and the vulnerable.



 
 

About

The true story of how a ten-year-old's charity challenge created an endowment and led through young philanthropy to a career in medicine. A light-hearted but poignant parent-child journey, its excitement and suspense, purpose and fulfilment, recalled by the girl as a young woman. A portrait of coastal Suffolk, its cultural and natural heritage.

Media reports

What people are saying

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ Inspiring and enlightening. This is a captivating account of a father and young daughter not only exploring the fascinating Suffolk coast but inspiring each other and shaping the course of their lives. The narrative is beautifully crafted with skill and humour. A gentle page-turner which will resonate with any parent (and probably with young teens, too).”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ A must read! This is a charming read which should appeal to children, young adults and parents. In it a father seeks to teach his daughter important lessons about life, people, philosophy and Nature. There is plenty also for anyone interested in the history and natural science of the Suffolk coastline from Felixstowe to Lowestoft. It is a gentle exploration of both the environment and the father-daughter relationship as May grows from being an inquisitive child to a thoughtful young woman. Highly recommended!”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ This absolutely delightful book will appeal to any adult or child who takes a genuine interest in life, its meaning and the world around them.
The concept is simple; a daughter's fifty-mile seaside walk with her Dad done to raise badly needed money for local charities. But, apart from the lovely descriptions of the beautiful surrounding Suffolk landscape and coastline, the local people and their livelihoods and the various stopover points, it is really the philosophy, teaching and father to daughter discussion about what life really is, and what we should think about it, that totally absorbs the reader. The deep-seated love of the father for his offspring and the way he so gently prods her through the medium of their conversations together to think about her future life and what matters on a moral as well as intellectual level is utterly wonderful and, as one progresses through the book, the reader understands ever more how meticulously he has planned every step of the way to create meaning and something lasting for her. It really is a unique book about history, nature and philosophy all rolled into one. There could be no greater gift from any father to his daughter than a keepsake of precious time spent together such as this, so packed as it is throughout with wisdom, humility and understanding. Ultimately, it is a book about love.”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ Inspiring. Purchased this book for my niece who is embarking on her own philanthropic journey, I'm excited to watch May continue to inspire more young leaders in our community.”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ A wonderful father and daughter experience. This really is the most charming book and I have so enjoyed hearing the wonderful jokes and anecdotes between Colin and his daughter May amidst the backdrop of the Suffolk Coast.
The writing is wonderfully descriptive whether it is May describing yet another 'Embarrassing Dad' moment or in her comments on the surroundings they find themselves in.
Even though I have lived in Suffolk all my life I learnt so many interesting nuggets of information and would highly recommend this to anyone of any age.”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ Simply heartwarming. Not only did I love reading about one of my favourite English coastlines but it was the relationship between father and daughter that I found particularly touching. As we rush about in this world chasing our tails, I loved the way time slowed down as Colin and May spent precious hours together making memories and entertaining us along the way! Beautifully captured and written.”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ Reading this book was a wonderful experience. It is extremely well written: the language is beautiful, the attention to detail is perfect and interesting. The book has lovely photos, and the funny remarks and inspiring conversations between father and daughter reflect a very close relationship. In addition, the book is filled with lots of historical information and visits to interesting buildings. The observations of nature along the Suffolk coast made me Google species to learn more. When Colin talks about wartime in Guernsey, I realised the hardship the islanders suffered.
This book contains so many interesting aspects, and gave me a reading experience I will treasure .”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆The importance of nature in family relationships. This is a lovely book to read if you are interested in the Suffolk coast and in nature, as it is an account of a walk by a father and daughter from Felixstowe to Lowestoft. It has lots of detail on the history and topography of the area as well as interesting and informative nature notes. But the delight comes in the father-daughter relationship which they have to navigate and the closeness which develops as they share this precious time together.”

“ ☆☆☆☆☆ Delightful walk along Suffolk’s heritage coastline and AONB. A charming tale of a charity walk by May de la Rue and her father in memory of a dear aunt.
The book’s rich descriptions of the amazing Suffolk coastline resonated with my own childhood memories of summer days spent on Southwold beach, remote walks at Dunwich, playing on the arcade at Lowestoft pier, and concern for the fire at Snape Maltings concert hall.
After reading the book I was left wishing to visit some new places - Alderton tunnel, Tunstall Forest, Dunwich Museum, Covehithe Church, Dingle Marshes, and was most interested by the history of Orford Ness, and how the Broads were formed.
The book is beautifully presented, especially the little detail of a page marker for the hardback edition.”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ May de la Rue’s book is about a walk along the Suffolk coast and seen through the eyes of May, 10 years old, and her father. Together they explore local sites, meet Suffolk characters and fundraise for local charities as they go. A gentle and delightful book, Fifty Miles with My Dad is about the simple things in life in tune with slowing down, observing and seeing what is right before you.”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆This is an enchanting read which I did not want to put down. The thought-provoking father-daughter conversations gave me new insights into a part of the Suffolk coast I thought I knew well and has made me want to follow in May's footsteps. It is a book you will want to share with friends - I sent a copy to Australia!”

 

“☆☆☆☆☆ This charming book about a daughter and father walking along the beautiful Suffolk coast is a triumph. The wonderful exchanges between father and daughter will ring true for any parent and teenager alike. A deep love but with the inquisitive mind of a young woman jousting with the devoted experience of her father. All of this set in the backdrop of one of the most beautiful parts of England and many of the personalities that live there.
If you are a parent, a walker or just somebody who appreciates a very engaging and heartwarming read, this is truly a lovely book and I would highly recommend it.”