Quite Quintessential: A Walk Round the Qs of England

Jeremy Cameron walked from Hook of Holland to Istanbul, visiting all places in England beginning with the letter Q, until he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and his heart went wrong. Despite the challenges, he persisted and completed the journey, becoming five years older. Quite Quintessential tells the story of an epic and arbitrary journey.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2019
Publisher: Signal Books Ltd

After his remarkable walk from Hook of Holland to Istanbul, Jeremy Cameron found himself at a crossroads. Various suggestions were made for his future, but they often leaned towards the perilous, undignified, or embarrassing. Undeterred, he resorted to the obvious solution: embarking on a journey to visit all the places in England that began with the letter Q. There were forty-five of them, and his plan was to walk to a Q, return home, and then return to the same spot to continue his journey. He anticipated it would take him a couple of years to reach them all.

For a while, everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, during a visit to the doctor for an ingrowing toenail, he received a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, which posed a significant inconvenience. A year or two later, his heart also failed him, further slowing down his progress. When moral turpitude entered the mix, his daily mileage dwindled to a few miles. Faced with risk-filled roads, steep hills, foul weather, and an innate ability to get lost, Cameron persisted, ticking off the Qs from Cornwall to County Durham and everywhere in between.

As the years passed, he grew older, and his journey became even more challenging. But he remained steadfast, pushing through the obstacles with unwavering determination. Finally, after five arduous years, he reached Quaking Houses, the last of the forty-five Qs, and a sense of fulfillment washed over him. Although he was still a grumpy old git, he felt a profound sense of accomplishment in completing such an epic and arbitrary journey.

Quiet Quintessential is a captivating story that unfolds as an epic adventure, as well as a reflection on the peculiar world of obsessive walking. It sheds light on the motivations behind Cameron's journey, the challenges he faced, and the profound impact it had on his life. Through his experiences, the book offers a unique perspective on the human spirit, resilience, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 193 x 172 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781909930773