The Reunification Express

You will be pleased to hear that this entry is not about me.

It concerns none other than the Young Allotmenteer and his epic 10,000 mile train journey across 10 countries from Farnborough (Main) to Saigon in September 2008.

I'll let The Young Allotmenteer take up the story:

Dear All,

Some of you already know that I took a train journey in the autumn of 2008 from Farnborough to Saigon , via Woking (don't send me e-mails I know it's official name is Ho Chi Minh City but I wasn't there in an official capacity). The intention was always to write a book about it. I did. Then I tried to find a publisher. Then it sat in a computer file. Then I tried to find a publisher. Then it sat in a computer file. Then I tried to find a publisher. Well, you get the picture.

So, I decided that I would publish it myself as I need the space on my computer. I thought I'd give any profits from the sales to charity. I chose Diabetes UK as I have a vested interest in them finding a cure. My target is £1500, which equates to 500 sales. That is a lot of sales, even if you bought 2 each. So, as well as buying a copy can you try and get someone else to buy a copy? There's absolutely nothing in it for you except the nice warm glow you feel when you do something good. Except for a book of course, you get a book. It's hilarious and somewhere in the pages is the funnest line ever written. I can't tell you which page, but it's not page 28. You'll just have to read it (although you can skip page 28).

I've used a company called Completely Novel to help me with my publishing for two reasons: the quality is as good as you'll find in Waterstones and it means Diabetes UK makes more money per book. I could have put it on Amazon but they are a bunch of thieving shysters when it comes to divvying up the spoils - this is for charity mate, not an exercise in putting more money into a company that only pays a few shillings in UK corporation tax.

Here's the link to the book -

http://www.completelynovel.com/books/the-reunification-express--2

You can read it on-line if you can't afford to buy the book. If you can't afford to buy the book, let me know and I'll strike you off my distribution list - you'll be no good to me when I start selling cravats on E-Bay.

OK, begging over - buy the book, or I will stalk you.

Cheers

Mike

So, do as he says, buy his book and enjoy.

Mike would be the first to admit that his allotment knowledge has only just got past the "L" plates stage but he is an accomplished writer and a very funny man. You've only got to see him on a Sunday morning at the allotment in his khaki shorts and wellie boots to bear testament to that fact!

When you buy it, let me know - I'm on commission, one pint of session bitter for every ten books sold.

And, as an added bonus, I can arrange a signing on a Sunday morning between 10.00 am to 12.00am at his plot on Prospect Road Allotments, Farnborough, GU14 8NY.

Heres a short clip to get you in the mood: