Although it is one of the smaller counties, Buckinghamshire has a potent identity, with the Chiltern Hills, steep roads going down through beechwoods and the blue distances of Aylesbury Vale. It is historic, with plenty of Oliver Cromwell and Royalist connections. Its pubs are old and beamed and are welcoming. Its villages are beautiful but not sugary, with their perfect churches and vernacular buildings made with flint and red brick,often thatched, to stone villages at the north close to Northamptonshire, and west on the borders of Oxfordshire. There are some thriving small and large county towns: Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Milton Keynes. New build is everywhere, tucked in at the back of villages, with closes and drives and courts wherever there ís space to build them. In the main, it is not a poor county, and I'd say it is an enjoyable one. It is also conveniently close to London. The Grand Union Canal cuts right down from north to south and you might think, being middle England with no coastline, there would be no sailing, but amazingly there are several sailing clubs, not just at the Thames at the south, but at lakes and rivers at the north near Milton Keynes. In fact, in such areas it might be wise to check the flood history if you're thinking of moving there. Janet Barber Janet Barber has published a number of children's books and adult craft books and part works, as well as working as a journalist for national newspapers and magazines, most recently specialising in public sector journalism. She has lectured widely on writing hildren's books and journalism. Hardback, 9"x6", 136pp, 56 colour ill.