This chapter begins with a grand discussion of whether our heroes should go bold and "camp out" or stay firmly within their comfort zones at local inns. Obviously, it's George and the narrator who are all for 'wilding it out' with nature. Harris, on the other hand, is decidedly practical, his idyllic visions rather more grounded, and not at all moved by the glorious panorama of poetry from our narrator.
And then we witness their first stab at camping out, a glorious episode of chaos and comic miscommunication that leaves you in stitches as you visualize the scene. Several damp slices of bread and harsh words later, it's not surprising when the plan to 'wild out' is swiftly abandoned for the safer and drier comfort offered by inns and hotels.
One figure who is perfectly thrilled with this new development is Montmorency, who far from being an angelic member of their group, apparently has a rich history of troublemaking escapades which leaves us questioning the sanity of the trio for even considering bringing him along.
The whimsy and absurdity of their preparations are finally punctuated by the decision to adjourn for a night of 'a drop of Irish worth drinking,' because why not? They are about to embark on the most arduous journey of doing absolutely nothing in the most luxurious way... or least that’s the plan.
So stay tuned for the next podcast chapter of "Three Men in a Boat" to find out whether our shambolic trio manages to successfully execute their ambitious plan of a tranquil river journey, or spend their time tumbling from one delightfully comedic disaster to the next.
