Claire’s father, Ian Balding, became one of the top race horse trainers in England, including training some of the Queen’s horses. She devotes each chapter of the book to a different dog or horse present in her life until later adolescence. You will encounter various kinds of humour: funny situations, chucklesome comments, cranky personalities, elements of black humour or a comedy full of gags: 'Living in Corfu was rather like living in one of the more flamboyant and slapstick comic operas. It's so brilliantly written, I love how each part of her life is told through an animal she's loved - I love that uniqueness of it. Mother hires a woman named Lugaretzia to help with the house, though Lugaretzia turns out to be difficult to work with and a hypochondriac.

It is the animals, the famous horses and top horse and rider combinations that make her such a universally loved figure in television, and that she speaks of so warmly and honestly in this delightful book that you are unable to put down.Instead she discovered a prowess for horse riding, and discovered her inherent competitive streak which is a delight to read of. I ain't going to be watching sport on television any day soon, that is for sure, but I am delighted to have got to know a bit about this captivating woman and her interesting life. One drizzly and dark day in Bournemouth, England, the Durrells sit in their living room, fighting their usual ailments brought on by the weather. Throughout this journey we are immersed in her deep love of animals,sharing her pleasure in a life rich in dogs, horses and riding.

She has been a lead TV presenter for the Olympics, Paralympics, Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Durrell moved Gerald, his sister Margo, and brother Leslie to the Greek island of Corfu to join her eldest son, Lawrence (Larry in the novel), who already lived there with his wife. Clare's personality is infectiously warm and endearing and this tome expertly reveals how this came to be. It tells of the years that he lived as a child with his siblings and widowed mother on the Greek island of Corfu between 1935 and 1939.A very enjoyable book,Clare Balding memoirs of growing up in the world of horse racing told with a great sense of humour . According to Gerald Durrell 'all the anecdotes about the island and the islanders are absolutely true'.

She also had a pack of Boxers and Lurchers and so mans best friend really did become her friend, as animals of all shapes and sizes were an important part of her life at a very young age.Adapted and directed by Daniel Austin, the play premiered on 22 February 2007 at Rouge Bouillon School in St Helier.