Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools [Paperback]

Highly recommended and perfect for getting any "scrooge" laughing at Christmas.

Justin Aldridge --Eye on Spain, November 2009

Victoria Twead writes a fantastically funny tale of five years living as reluctant chicken farmers in a small village in Almería in Southern Spain. "Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools" is an hilarious rib-splitting read from beginning to end.
We are introduced to village characters, both animal and human, ache for the trials endured by poor Joe, and find ourselves laughing on every page wishing the end wouldn't come quite so soon. We meet characters such as Mother, a spliff-smoking 85 year old sex-kitten, and her daughter Judith, a larger-than-life expat who keeps ten dogs. `That one's called "Half", dear. Always said we'd never have ten dogs, so now we have nine and a "Half".'

But that's not all. Woven into the story are a number Spanish recipes given to Vicky by characters in the book and the village ladies. No wonder HarperCollins described the book as `charming' as well as `hilarious' and `laugh-out-loud funny'. If you liked Chris Stewart's "Driving over Lemons", you won't regret reading Victoria Twead's "Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools".

Take it from me, this is one paperback that should be on every bookshelf and I know people will be talking about B***** and F***, two of Vicky's hens for years to come.

Andrew Camerón --RondaViva Lifestyle Magazine, October 2009

If you're looking to experience sunny Spain, and maybe even life in a tiny village tucked in the Alpujarra Mountains, and without leaving home, then Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools is for you.

Approaching retirement, Vicky and her husband, Joe, one day decide to pack up their bags and leave their comfortable Sussex, England home and settle in the village El Hoya, Spain. It is not long before they come to learn village life is full of surprises and mishaps, with hilarious culture clashes at every turn. When Vicky and Joe unintentionally find themselves chicken farmers, Vicky says, "Oh, please! Our Spanish neighbours already thought we were insane, sitting on the yellow sofa gazing at our flock, letting them hop onto our laps, talking to them."

Whether saved by a mule or sitting at a party table in the middle of the road celebrating a neighbour's birthday (and blocking traffic), 'Chickens' not only paints a warm, funny and colourful picture of rural Spain, but also tells of how two zany Brits came to fit right in. Light-hearted and full of sunshine. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Erma Odrach --Goodreads, Erma Odrach author of Wave of Terror, October 2009