I love to read. As a child, Betty could be heard to say, “Put that book down and go outside”, sometimes I just went outside, with the book. All this to say, that when I say I love Dick Francis, I mean that I love his books and have read all 40 of his novels.
Dick Francis had a rich life, first as a Steeple Chase jockey, who rode for the Queen Mum, became Champion Jockey, turned novelist, with a collection of suspense novels almost all set around English horse racing. Not all, but most of Francis’ novels often mention the town of Newmarket in Sulfolk.
Newmarket is situated just between My Loving Spouse’s brother and sister’s homes in England. Every time I would see “Newmarket” on the highway marker, my head would literally spin around.
‘Can we go there? Can we go and watch the races?”
Unfortunately, we always visited when the Steeplechase races were not running….but this time…I got My Loving Spouse to stop… I was enthralled as we passed by Tattersalls, the auctioneers, drove up to Rowley Mile Racecourse and noticed all the very small men in town, who I assumed were all jockeys. My Loving Spouse was happy, because I was happy and because he found a really good hand raised pork pie for lunch.
The Palace stables have been turned into a British Racing museum…what a treat it was to see how the stable square had really previously functioned.
Individual stables turned into display areas.
Owners silks….colors and hats that are unique for every owner.
One area held the Queen Mum’s colors and a co-operative boy puts them on so his Grannie can take a photo.
Also in the background, a racehorse simulator, that one could try…all for free…
It was such a fabulous experience for me to see and walk about an area, that was part of so many books, I have enjoyed. The week after we left England, I read ‘Crisis’ by Felix Francis…all of it set in Newmarket. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.
It is rare to enjoy an author so much and then get to see and experience the heart of so many stories…believe me,
I am grateful and blessed.
PS: Read Dick Francis…go to England.
I love Dick Francis too! How fun that you were able to visit Newmarket! I started reading his books many, many (many) years ago. I haven’t read one for a long time though, so I wasn’t sure how many I own. I was surprised when I went upstairs to count them! Did he really only write 40 books? Well, I own 39 of them! So, I’ve read almost all of them. Now I guess I need to go to England!
I think you do need to go and go to Newmarket, but wouldn’t it be even more fun to go when the Steeplechase races are running?
So happy for you! My mom loved Dick Francis books too, I never read one, but might now. It’s a joy to see you making great memories to cherish❤️
Thank you, dear Sandy. I just love his main characters, always a regular guy with an iron will to not let the bad guys get away with stuff!
I just helped Karlene C. reorganize her bookshelf. She is also a fan- she had at least 2 dozen Dick Francis books! I have also enjoyed visiting places an author mentions. I love Linda Fairstein books. Her main character owns a home on Martha’s Vineyard. I have eaten at some of the restaurants and visited some of the shops and sites she frequents. Very fun!!
I am going to have to ad that to my list…both the books and the travel stop!
Did YOU have a go on the simulation race horse???
I’m sure, it you’d been with me I would have done!
What fun! did you try the racehorse simulator?
I was going to, until I watched someone my age with more experience….
So fun, just to talk to the helper, whose husband was a jockey. My father-in-law was an amateur Jockey, so My Loving Spouse had lots to talk about with them, because amateur doesn’t mean much. He ran many races.