Mr Wonderful Takes a Cruise: The Adventures of an Old Age Pensioner

by Sir John Nott (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2005

  $12.86

  What happened when former Tory cabinet-minister and now bus-pass wielding OAP, Sir John Nott, decided to discover modern London for himself? Real London. Beyond Kensington & Chelsea. As far, even, as Tooting...It all began when Sir John decided to take a crash course in ballroom dancing for an upcoming cruise holiday. Whilst flicking through the 'Ballroom Dancing' section of the Yellow Pages directory, he chanced upon the Mr Wonderful Tea Dances. After a single trip to a Mr Wonderful lunch in Bromley, the onetime Defence Secretary was hooked. And so began an extraordinary odyssey, in which Sir John discovered a whole new side to Britain and began to question the notion of what, exactly, it means to be British in this day and age. In the name of research he risked reconnaissance to China White, Spearmint Rhino and the Countryside March. His observations along the way are irreverent and hilarious, whether venting his spleen over EU farming regulations, or enjoying a colourful wander round Tooting market.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2004

  $5.80

  What happens when an ex-Tory MP and Senior Citizen decides to take a walk round modern London? Real London. Beyond Kensington & Chelsea. As far, even, as Tooting- It all started when Sir John Nott decided to take up ballroom dancing. He was due to take a cruise and he was sure there would be proper dancing. He looked up Ballroom Dancing in the Yellow Pages, as one does, and discovered the Mr Wonderful Ballroom Dancing Lunches. After one trip to a Mr Wonderful lunch in Bromley the onetime Defence Secretary was hooked. And so began an extraordinary odyssey, in which Sir John discovered a whole new side to Britain. Travelling from Bromley to Balham, Tottenham to the East End, he encountered a wholly new breed of Englishman. In the name of research he risked reconnaissance to China Whites, Spearmint Rhino and the Countryside March. His adventures are irreverent and hilarious, his targets as obvious as New Labour, the Tory conference and EU farming regulations, but his best moments come in places as surprisingly diverse as a white van, a happy-clappy church and Tooting market. A blue-blood Tory gets to grips with his country and has a lot of adventures on the way. A truly original book.- -'Who would have thought that John Nott had so much of interest to tell us.' Paul Routledge, Daily Mirror--'A superb memoir.' The Times--'John Nott's memoirs catch fire.' Douglas Hurd, Guardian