The award winning Hayling Island Bookshop continues its programme of high profile author visits this time in Portsmouth, with adventurer and commentator Ben Fogle. This is a rare chance to hear Ben speak on his national book tour then meet him personally afterwards during the book signing.
Ben Fogle’s new book The Accidental Naturalist continues the memoirs of his experiences as an adventurer and presenter. The first book The Accidental Adventurer published in 2011, related his experiences on rowing the Atlantic, running across the Sahara and racing to the South Pole.
When he’s not ice skating across Sweden, running barefoot in the Sahara desert or rowing naked across the Atlantic ocean, the odds are that you’ll find Ben Fogle hanging out with a wild beast or two. Most recently, and most scarily, you may have seen him on the BBC scuba-diving with wild crocodiles. All in the name of scientific research, of course.
But the fact remains – Ben and animals are a match made in heaven and he has stories to tell of his encounters with our furry friends that will break your heart as well as making your hair stand on end.
Ben is to this particular manner born, given that his dad is a vet, and from a very early age he was intimately acquainted with animals inside and out, helping out with operations as well as nursing sick beasts back to health. And of course, when the nation first clutched Ben to its collective bosom on the BBC’s prototype reality show “Castaway”, his black Labrador Inca was initially at least an intrinsic part of the package.
So began the animal association and soon Ben was charming worms and tickling trout for his 8 years on Countryfile, minding the big cats and grooming llamas with Kate Humble for his 7 years on Animal Park. Ben was also the main commentator at Crufts and a host of One Man and His Dog.
Audience members will all receive a signed copy of Ben’s latest book and there will be the opportunity to meet Ben after the talk to have your book personally dedicated by him if you wish.
The event, on Thursday September 6th at 7.30pm, has been organised by the Hayling Island Bookshop at the David Russell Theatre situated within The Portsmouth Grammar School. Tickets can be bought in advance only, by telephone on 02392 466 620 with debit or credit cards or in person from The Hayling Island Bookshop.
Tickets are excellent value with the Talk from Ben, the book signing and a copy of the new hardback The Accidental Naturalist (rrp £18.99) all included for £15, there will be free parking within the School from their entrance on High Street, Old Portsmouth.
