From Navy Blue Knickers to the Driving Test

This book required a lifetime of experience and sixteen years to write. Mind you, there was an eight-year gap in the middle when the author had to return to full-time, salaried employment. The chapters are presented alphabetically, so in theory it is possible to take any chapter, and read it in its own right. Once a reader has read all twenty-six chapters, he or she will have a sum of all the parts: a completed ‘jigsaw’ of Hal T. Strapel’s story. Truth or fiction? Let the reader decide.

Jane C.:

“In ‘Turning Thai’, I think a very vivid picture of Thailand is presented — it all sounded very exotic to me sitting in dull old middle England. Lots of well-described local colour and all fluently articulated. The author met up with some colourful characters and gives an honest appraisal of how they affected him as a traveller in uncharted territory. There is definitely an eye for detail and the sights, sounds and smells leap off the page. I had a good laugh at the cockroach episode, which sounds very callous of me, but it resonated with me as I had a similar sort of experience in Sicily with a very large spider.”

John H.:

“I found ‘Bilious Belligerent Bowels’ highly entertaining, particularly when Hal was describing the attentions of the nurse and her colleagues.

Charlie H.:

“I found ‘Queenish Quirks’ an intriguing and easy read that connects cultures in a relatable way.”

Lee F.:

“I enjoyed reading ‘Lust for Lingerie’. It sounds voyeuristic in itself! As a man who spent his working life in ladies knickers I can see the author is knowledgeable!”

Johnny B.:

From London To LA

There are road trips and then there are road trips.

Nearly 2,500 miles east to west across one of the biggest countries in the world along one of the most famous roads in the world firmly puts Route 66 in the ‘you really need to do this’ category.

From London To LA is much more than just a travelogue. Not just a commentary of the journey itself, it also explores the history of places visited along the way as two blokes from London discover the big cities, the small towns, the real wild west and some really quite bizarre curios that couldn’t belong anywhere else other than along Route 66.

Full of information, observations and British humour, From London To LA is a must-read for anyone who is interested in travel, history, geography, Americana and, of course, the Mother Road herself.

Or if you just want a jolly good read…

Filo Fanfare

Unlock the secrets of filo pastry and discover a world of culinary delights. This authentic pastry, dating back to the 15th century, has a rich history that includes the famous baklava, a sweet treat created to commemorate the 40 days of Lent, with its 40 layers of thin, flaky pastry filled with nuts and spices, and soaked in syrup.
From savoury appetizers to decadent desserts, filo pastry is a versatile ingredient that adds a touch of elegance to any dish. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this fully illustrated book will teach you how to work with filo pastry and create impressive dishes that will delight your senses.
So why wait? Dive into the exciting world of filo pastry and start exploring its endless possibilities today!

Far From Worries

A couple of years ago, the author moved next door to the King of Thailand working as an editor of an online magazine published in Hua Hin, a seaside town. At the time, the king lived there permanently in his summer palace known in Thai as the Klang Kangnon palace, which delightfully translates as ‘Far from Worries’. The book is a chronicle of the author’s year there, but in a larger sense, it is a portrait of contemporary Thailand; part memoir, part history and part travel book.

Etosha Pan

ETOSHA PANEtosha pan forms part of the greater Kalahari basin and is a world heritage site (UNESCO). This book celebrates Etosha’s unique landscape and thriving concentrations of game, including endangered and specialised species. It is a beautiful piece of Africa, a vista of wide flat clay pans, acacia woodlands and natural as well as man-made waterholes.YOU TOO CAN CAPTURE IMAGES LIKE THESE.The field guide contents inform you of where – when – how, with grid reference and details of each image taken.

Dishy Stories

Dishy Stories serves up a smorgasbord of culinary delights, from the exotic Hungarian cherry soup and French potato classics to the comfort of British and Irish game birds paired with fruit. While many dishes like chip butties, sausages with dumplings, and cheese on toast are everyday favourites, they each carry a rich history that often goes unnoticed.This collection is more than just recipes; it’s a journey through the unique and captivating tales behind the foods we love. From the familiar to the gourmet, every meal has a story to tell. With each chapter ending in a recipe, Dishy Stories invites you to explore the origins and narratives of dishes that grace our tables, offering a fresh perspective on the heritage of these kitchen staples. Enjoy the tales and tastes that have woven their way into our lives.

Cooking in the South of France

Marcia Öchsner is a Le Cordon Bleu (Paris) alumni with experience in various restaurants and teaching. During the past twenty years, together with her family, she has travelled around the world and lived in many countries, such as Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Malaysia and Australia, but it is with France that she identifies herself. Cooking in her kitchen in the south of France is her passion, which she often does between long walks.

Condors Over Chile

This is a story about travelling down the length of the Andes and the search to see condors. From the far north of the continent on the arid Guajira peninsular, the journey passes through hotspots such as Medellin and Bogota and climbing up Mount Puracé, an active volcano.

There is a break in Quito to stand on the equator. There is a fascinating side trip to the Galapagos and a voyage through the islands that make up the archipelago. There is a huge array of wildlife that is not afraid of humans, so you can get really close to its tortoises and other unique wildlife.

Then there is the experience of seeing some of Peru’s ancient civilisations and the country of origin of more than 3,500 varieties of potato before continuing down the Andes to the windswept wastelands of Patagonia to Ushuaia at the end of the world.

Coconut 100 Ways

I am so grateful that after many years of dreaming, I finally have the opportunity to have my own cookbook published. As a young girl I always dreamed of this and after a long time with many days spent walking around with notepads and jotting down all the recipes I could remember and those I created, I have finally reached the goal which seemed to be so elusive. Creating dishes has always been something which gave me a lot of joy and has always been and will always be my passion.

I have used coconut in nearly every recipe in some way. It is the most versatile fruit I have ever known. The coconut ‘meat’ is used for medicinal purposes, cooking and beauty products. The shell can be used to make decorative items. The husk for cleaning. So come with me to a small town in St. Thomas, Jamaica, surrounded by rivers and join my neighbourhood as we all get together and cook, drink and have a good time.

Caravanning and Camping in Australia

From the vast deserts of the interior, to the tropical north and sandy beaches of the coasts. Alpine regions and rugged mountains, Australia has such a varied landscape. So, what better way is there to really experience it, other than by road. This book gives the road tripper all they need to know to set up their journey for a safe and memorable experience. What to take, what to avoid, when to go. A good starting point for anyone that likes going on an adventure.

BBQ, Beer and Bright Ideas

This is a dramatic adventure of two retired police officers, thrown together by fate, as they seek excitement and fulfilment of the challenging Camino de Frances.

This witty and truly engaging account takes the reader on every step of the pilgrimage with their experience being enhanced through the many photographs taken at every stage of their endeavours.

The trials and tribulations from its inception formed during a boozy BBQ to its incredible conclusion and the subsequent raising of over 10,000 Euros for charity.

The reader accompanies the intrepid pair through the snow-capped Pyrenees, into the flooded northern regions of Spain, via blizzards on mountain tops before arriving in Santiago de Compostela thirty-two days later.

This is a social diary, not a historic or religious adventure. Many wonderful friends were made en route and feature throughout. It’s a restoration of faith in mankind coupled with poignant views on life espoused by the author.

Baking with Melanie Andrews

Melanie Andrews is a Professional Chef and Masterbaker and the recipes included in this book are her award-winning recipes from the highly successful “Scottish Baking Awards”. Melanie Andrews is the Founder/ Director of these awards in Scotland and she produces an easy guide to successful baking, whether you are baking for the first time or a seasoned baker. In her own words – you cannot fail to bake well if you have the right teacher and the right recipe. Melanie Andrews is at the top of her profession through talent and passion for the first love in her life – baking.