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Maggie Alderson |
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Maggie Alderson was born in London and educated at the University of St Andrews. Cents and Sensibility is her fourth novel. Her previous books - Pants on Fire, Mad About the Boy and Handbags and Gladrags - have been published in many different countries. She is married, has one daughter and lives in Hastings.
Everyone needs a holiday and our authors are no different. Some have had scorching holidays and some quite frankly were too unsavoury to let you into. From dream holiday destinations and holiday horror stories to top holiday survival tips and summertime memories we’ve got the low-down and we’re willing to share…
What's your favourite summer memory?
My whole eight years living in Sydney was like one long summer. I have wonderful agglomerated memories of driving out to Bondi with the wind in my hair and the radio up loud, sitting on the beach at Camp Cove, or up on the roof of my apartment building, with pink parrots flying around and the views of the Harbour just leaving you breathless.
And your dream holiday destination?
The only downside of living in Australia was all the air travel, so I’m rather off long-haul trips these days. But the one place I still really want to go to is India. I wouldn’t turn down a trip to Harbour Island either. Or any Aman Resort.
Any top holiday survival tips you can pass onto our readers?
Don’t go? I have to confess that I am not a great one for ‘holidays’ because there is such pressure To Make The Most of It and not to feel like a tourist, when you are a bloody tourist. I have always travelled a lot for work and I really prefer that. I like the sense of purpose. Relaxing makes me anxious. What if I’m not relaxing enough? Aman Resorts take that anxiety away, though. Every time you sit down someone brings you a towel and a glass of iced water.
What do you always pack for summer hols?
The one way I can really chill out is lying by water with my lower body in the sun, my head in the shade, reading - so books, sunglasses and a large hat. Or if it’s in the UK, I pack a kagoul and souwester.
Do you have any favourite places you like to go in the summer months?
Even with the dodgy weather, I really like being in Britain in summer. After all my time away I’m sentimental about it. I live by the seaside in Hastings and when the weather is good, I meet my friends for a swim every lunchtime. It’s seven minutes from my desk to the water’s edge. I also love summer fetes in the country, with wonky cakes, tombolas and knitted toys. The Jubilee summer was bliss with all that bunting.
What place in the world do you think everyone should visit at least once?
Sydney. Sydney. Sydney.
Had any holiday horror stories you can let us into?
My Eurorail trip round Europe with my best pal when I was 20, was one long horror, because we were in a constant state of high anxiety. Travelling was much harder back then without ATMs, mobiles and email. We so did not have a carefree youthful time. We are still laughing about it though, so it was worth it.
What books will you be packing in your suitcase this summer?
Marian Keyes’ new one, The Other Side of the Story. Barbara Trapido’s Frankie and Stankie – I’d read a shopping list, if she’d written it - Snobs by Julian Fellowes and something by Rose Tremain, because I’ve been told I’ll like her. And Hug by Jez Alborough for my daughter, because it is the best book ever written for toddlers.
Any events/festivals you are looking forward to this summer?
Hastings Old Town Week. It’s fantastic. There are open gardens with afternoon teas and all kinds of kooky events. The grand finale is a hilarious parade down the high street, with chubby baton twirlers, middle-aged men in tights and clown wigs, and floats carrying miserable beauty queens in polyester frocks. It’s all for charity and I love it. There’s such a sense of community down here.
It's a massive summer for sport - will Euro 2004 make you euphoric, will you be following the England Rugby team on their tour to the southern hemisphere or is Wimbledon more you thing? Or, does the idea of sport make you want to run away and hide?
I will watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony and weep, because going to that in Sydney four years ago was one of the most amazing experiences of my life – and it was only the dress rehearsal. I will also fanatically watch all the England games in Euro 2004, because I’m an actual footballer’s wife (honestly - my husband is a retired professional footballer) and I do seriously love the beautiful game. Especially if darling Becks is playing. Then it’s a really beautiful game...
