The Olive Tree of Provence

THE OLIVE TREE charts Carol Drinkwater's colourful and often dangerous journey in search of the routes that olive cultivation has taken over the centuries. Set during a springtime Mediterranean that is evocative and perennial, it is above all a tale of our time.

Troubled by challenges her own South of France farm is experiencing, Carol realises new approaches to farming are becoming essential.

Her quest takes her south through Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Italy before she finally returns to her farm.

Through her travels and vivid encounters, Carol confronts some of the critical issues of our time - land-care and the harsh realities of diminishing water reserves - and ends her momentous journey in the company of olive growers whose vision for the future is remarkable and ingenious.

“'the story contains some wonderfully evocative vignettes, written in prose that ignites the readers imagination'-- Jane Duru , GLOBALISTA”

Her writing captures the true spirit of the people and places she visits THE TIMES
Carol Drinkwater has gone in search of olive growers in the west Mediterranean, documenting her travels and travails with good humour and not a little fortitude CHOICE
An honest tale that brings to life the sights, smells and tastes of the Mediterranean LIVING SPAIN
Drinkwater's passion and curiosity are contagious...lively prose holds unexpectedly poetic bursts and an insightful account of how the Mediterranean treats a woman travelling alone THE TIMES
THE OLIVE TREE is a thrilling tale tracing the journey of olive cultivation THE LADY
Gripping and passionate GOOD BOOK GUIDE
The story contains some wonderfully evocative vignettes, written in prose that ignites the reader's imagination GLOBALISTA
A tale of one lady's courageous, unusual and intrepid journey around the Mediterranean in the pursuit of something so many of us give little thought to in this country REAL TRAVEL
Her writing is often lyrical and unexpectedly poetic, making this book a sure-fire hit on many levels THE WEEKENDER (South Africa)
One cannot resist Drinkwater's courage and joie de vivre, nor the enormous appetite and enthusiasm for her subject DAILY MAIL
I love Carol Drinkwater's Olive Farm series about her life in Provence. I read them on the beach, thinking how wonderful a summer in France would be -- Jane Brown GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Her writing captures the true spirit of the people and places she visits -- Carolyn Boyd TIMES
An honest tale that brings to life the sights, smells and tastes of the Mediterranean. LIVING SPAIN
`the story contains some wonderfully evocative vignettes, written in prose that ignites the reader¿s imagination' -- Jane Duru GLOBALISTA
Drinkwater's passion and curiosity are contagious...lively prose holds unexpectedly poetic bursts and an insightful account of how the Mediterranean treats a woman travelling alone -- Kathleen Wyatt TIMES
Carol Drinkwater has gone in search of olive growers in the west Mediterranean, documenting her travels and travails with good humour and not a little fortitude. -- CHOICE
'The Olive Tree is a thrilling tale tracing the journey of olive cultivation' -- Paul Blezard THE LADY
a tale of one lady's courageous, unusual and intrepid journey around the Mediterranean in the pursuit of something so many of us give little thought to in this country REAL TRAVEL
The Olive Tree is travel writing of the highest order -- Jenny Crwys-Williams The Book Show, Radio 702 (South Africa)
Gripping and passionate GOOD BOOK GUIDE
Her writing is often lyrical and unexpectedly poetic, making this book a surefire hit on many levels. THE WEEKENDER (South Africa)

Best known for her role as Helen Herriot in BBC Television's All Creatures Great and Small (for which she was awarded The Variety Club Television Personality of the Year Award), Carol Drinkwater has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as both an actress and writer.

During her acting career she has worked in film, television and theatre. Her credits include working with Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre and Stanley Kubrick on A Clockwork Orange. Carol is currently working with UNESCO on a lavish documentary film series inspired by her two most recent books, THE OLIVE ROUTE and THE OLIVE TREE.

THE OLIVE TREE charts Carol Drinkwater's colourful and often dangerous journey in search of the routes that olive cultivation has taken over the centuries. Set during a springtime Mediterranean that is evocative and perennial, it is above all a tale of our time.Troubled by challenges her own South of France farm is experiencing, Carol realises new approaches to farming are becoming essential.Her quest takes her south through Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Italy before she finally returns to her farm.Through her travels and vivid encounters, Carol confronts some of the critical issues of our time - land-care and the harsh realities of diminishing water reserves - and ends her momentous journey in the company of olive growers whose vision for the future is remarkable and ingenious.

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