What Meg Clothier liked best about her Somerset village - before she ran away to town to become a journalist - was that the local pub never asked for ID. Meanwhile, Jonny Clothier, her father, has dedicated happy decades to thirty acres of woodland, garden and pasture on the Quantock Hills. He is glad that Meg, now back next door, is finally throwing herself into country living. She has previously written about the joys, mysteries and practicalities of the sea side with her brother, Chris, in Sea Fever.

Country Matters is a witty and often sharp celebration of the countryside, and reading it is like spending time with a favourite and well-read aunt (or uncle) whose wardrobe consists entirely of moleskin and waxed jackets. Here, the Clothiers have produced a highly readable and scrupulously balanced account of country life which this countryman found difficult to put to one side.

What Meg Clothier liked best about her Somerset village - before she ran away to town to become a journalist - was that the local pub never asked for ID. Meanwhile, Jonny Clothier, her father, has dedicated happy decades to thirty acres of woodland, garden and pasture on the Quantock Hills. He is glad that Meg, now back next door, is finally throwing herself into country living. She has previously written about the joys, mysteries and practicalities of the sea side with her brother, Chris, in Sea Fever.

Country Matters is a witty and often sharp celebration of the countryside, and reading it is like spending time with a favourite and well-read aunt (or uncle) whose wardrobe consists entirely of moleskin and waxed jackets. Here, the Clothiers have produced a highly readable and scrupulously balanced account of country life which this countryman found difficult to put to one side.

What Meg Clothier liked best about her Somerset village - before she ran away to town to become a journalist - was that the local pub never asked for ID. Meanwhile, Jonny Clothier, her father, has dedicated happy decades to thirty acres of woodland, garden and pasture on the Quantock Hills. He is glad that Meg, now back next door, is finally throwing herself into country living. She has previously written about the joys, mysteries and practicalities of the sea side with her brother, Chris, in Sea Fever.

Country Matters is a witty and often sharp celebration of the countryside, and reading it is like spending time with a favourite and well-read aunt (or uncle) whose wardrobe consists entirely of moleskin and waxed jackets. Here, the Clothiers have produced a highly readable and scrupulously balanced account of country life which this countryman found difficult to put to one side.