John Betjeman's England- Chapter 2.

Ok, so I know I said I’d do this yesterday but I honestly don’t know where the time went.......one minute I was at the dinner table eating a chicken pie -handmade by moui- next minute I was being awoken by the annoying "beep, beep......beep, beep..." of my radio that my (ever thoughtful) Mum and Dad brought me last christmas.

I let it "beep" and finally dragged myself out of bed after my –darling- brother barged into my room picked up the radio and chucked it with all his force into the back of my neck.

It was a near miss (as I soon found out). He was originally aiming for my head. Im just glad that the genetical error of “failure to be able to throw" was passed onto all my siblings, and not just me.

So anyway. Told you im a rambler.

Back to the book.

Chapter 2 was a large contrast from chapter 1. It comes across as less chatty. Not formal as such. Just less reference to the reader and less pointing out of different objects in the landscape around "us".

Also it is more factual. I have learnt that "Bilking hall" in Norfolk has "over 25 farms" and "More than enough money to keep it alive".

I've learnt that John Betjeman has a great love of poems. The chapter contains over 15 poems of different authors to help describe his thoughts.

And I know this may sound snotty or almost stereotypical in a way but he almost sounds cold. I don’t know whether it is just me that finds that and im not seeing the whole picture. But that’s what it seems like.

Cold and dead.

Just like the "seaside resorts” that he is describing.

I didn’t enjoy this chapter half as much as i enjoyed the 1st however i still feel the urge to read on.

I hope to post a new blog soon.

After this chapter I feel that Penny Lofas may enjoy the book, simply because of the fact that she is reading Bill Bryson and I feel that the writers have a similar style of writing.

Emma. :)