Having reached retirement the author tried to fill his time chilling with family, working out in the gym and walking with the local Ramblers group. None of these could be accused of pushing him out of his comfort zone so he set himself a challenge: follow in the footsteps of the Ninth Legion during the Roman invasion of Britannia in the 1st century AD. The journey of 300 miles involved walking from Richborough on the Kent coast, via London and Colchester, to York. This book is a step by step description of that journey. It describes Roman, national and local history and personal memories that the walk invoked. David's ramble brought him many surprises along the way, including where the last person in England caught malaria (in 1953), the village that hosts the annual world sausage tossing championships and the place where Britain's tallest man lived (with a suitably tall statue in his honour).The book goes into detail regarding the Roman invasion and subsequent occupation that lasted 400 years. Reading this book will make you feel that you were actually with the Ninth Legion. Also included are major events in the nation's past associated with places that David wandered through. In addition, he describes long forgotten local historical events, including the village that witnessed the last armed uprising in the country and another one that produced some rather dodgy vicars (who earned the wrath of Elizabeth I) as well as a Protestant martyr. David also recalls amusing personal anecdotes involving him and his family that he was reminded of during his journey. Whether you are interested in history, travel or simply having a laugh, then this book ticks the box. As one of his sister's commented, "I laughed until I stopped," and another said, "Print that and I will sue you."In recognition of the essential work that Cancer Research UK undertakes to help find cures and ease suffering, 50% of the royalties from the sale of the book will go to this charity.
About the Author: Having obtained a joint degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry, David H Ross became a graduate trainee with one of the major companies in the United Kingdom and was then involved in logistics management for over thirty years. Throughout that time he got the most pleasure in seeing his staff develop and so when the opportunity arose at the age of 55 David went back to university and studied to become a teacher. He spent the last seven years of his working life at a secondary school teaching Chemistry to GCSE and A Level. Were he not primarily a scientist he would have studied to become a History teacher as that subject became his main area of interest in later years. He is retired and living in Cumbria.