Author Linda Bootherstone has travelled the world, exploring many continents and countries by motorcycle for more than 50 years. She has documented her adventures in three travel journals and will be at the Mount Gambier Library to discuss her latest book ‘Into Africa with a Smile’ on Monday 26 February, 2018 at 6:30pm.
Linda Bootherstone was born in England, and immigrated to Australia as a “Ten Pound Pom” in the late 1960s at the age of 23. Before arriving in Australia, she made a pact with two other English ladies to explore this sunburnt country. For two and a half years they explored state by state on motorcycle, which considering they had never been on a motorcycle before, provided hilarious content for her first book ‘Three Wandering Poms’.
“Into Africa with a Smile begins with Linda in 1974, at a time when few people ventured into this continent, especially by motorcycle,” Library Community Engagement Coordinator Kristi Leamey said.
“Far from a conventional way of exploring this vast continent, Linda suffers many breakdowns, contends with the Sahara sand, the Congo mud and an attack of Malaria over her fifteen month trip, all with a smile on her face”.
This is an honest and humorous tapestry of Africa; the events and people Linda met, the political history of Africa, all woven into an engaging story.
“Linda is a remarkable woman and will certainly keep the audience entertained,” Ms Leamey said.
This is a free community event with books available for sale and signing. Bookings can be made at the Mount Gambier Library in person, over the phone (08) 8721 2540 or online.
