The author of this book lives in a part of England that has big hills, some of which are right outside the door.

Other members of the household, apart from the humans, include an incredibly needy Russian Blue cat and a hyper-active Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. The dog likes the cat, but the cat does not like the dog. It seems the cat fails to realise his neediness could be satisfied by the dog if only he would allow it. The rest of the menagerie consists of even less pleasing creatures including lizards and snails. Very big snails. There are also children, who refuse to leave home despite having been old enough to do so for some time.

Despite all these burdens, or perhaps because of them, the author escapes into other worlds and returns with stories.