Three Men on the Bummel

““What is a ‘Bummel’?” said George. “How would you translate it?”

“A ‘Bummel’,” I explained, “I should describe as a journey, long or short, without an end; the only thing regulating it being the necessity of getting back within a given time to the point from which one started.””

Written in 1900, Jerome. K. Jerome’s sequel to his successful “Three Men in a Boat” (1889) retains his same three men; Harris, George, and himself. They are now older, if not always wiser, and decide to embark on a bicycle tour of the Black Forest and its surrounding areas.

Perhaps it is something of the late Victorian Gentleman’s attitude to “foreign parts” that give this sequel a somewhat less frivolous tone than the generally jolly one of three men boating on the familiar Thames. Indeed, the description of the popular practise of German Student duelling (“The Mensur”) is decidedly graphic. Yet despite a less cohesive narrative there are still many equally funny incidents, told with Jerome’s characteristic self-deprecating style. Not least, dear Uncle Podger makes a welcome return as he tries his futile best to leave the house on time for work.

Head Stories Audio presents 'Three Men on the Bummel' by Jerome. K. Jerome. Narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.