The Olive Tree charts Carol Drinkwater’s colourful and often dangerous journey in search of the routes that olive cultivation has taken over the centuries. Set during a springtime Mediterranean that is evocative and perennial, it is above all a tale of our time. Troubled by challenges her own South of France farm is experiencing, Carol realises new approaches to farming are becoming essential. Her quest takes her south through Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Italy before she finally returns to her farm. Through her travels and vivid encounters, Carol confronts some of the critical issues of our time – land-care and the harsh realities of diminishing water reserves – and ends her momentous journey in the company of olive growers whose vision for the future is remarkable and ingenious.

‘Her writing captures the true spirit of the people and places she visits…Drinkwater’s passion and curiosity are contagious…lively prose holds unexpectedly poetic bursts and an insightful account of how the Mediterranean treats a woman travelling alone‘ The Times

‘Carol Drinkwater has gone in search of olive growers in the west Mediterranean, documenting her travels and travails with good humour and not a little fortitude.’ Choice Magazine