Swallowdale is the second novel in
Arthur Ransome's popular and much-loved
Swallows and Amazons series. The story takes place a year after
Swallows and
Amazons, and follows the continuing exploits of the Walker and Blackett
families on 'the Lake', a place which is a mixture of
Coniston and
Windermere in the
British Lake District.
A promising summer holiday is nearly ruined by the unfortunate arrival of Nancy
and Peggy Blackett's dreaded Great Aunt Maria (pronounced
Mariah, no
doubt). Captain John then further upsets matters by damaging
Swallow.
With both boats in dock, the Walkers take to camping on the western shore of the
Lake, on the edge of the
moor, in a little valley they name Swallowdale.
Several lively adventures ensue as the Blackett sisters try to have a holiday in
spite of the presence of their domineering aunt. These include another encounter
with the
charcoal-burners whom the children met in the same area the previous
year, and the daring ascent of
Kanchenjunga - alias
Coniston Old Man.
Also notable are a number of references to the childhood of Mrs Blackett and her
brother Jim '
Captain Flint' Turner, and allusions to the
Peter Duck
mythology created by the children. Horrible Great Aunt Maria returns in
The
Picts and the Martyrs, and the story of Peter Duck is told in the novel of the
same name.