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Medieval Wanders and Wonders: Understanding Northern Spain and the Camino de Santiago
Those who have walked the Camino will know just how compelling is the magic to be found along this way. In Medieval Wanders and Wonders Kate Simons delves into the drama that can be sensed in glorious cathedrals and mysterious religious houses, the thrills shared by fellow walkers and the triumph of arriving in Santiago de Compostela. But, having gazed upon magnificent art and experienced the vast Spanish skies, do pilgrims question the significance of James' holy bones, the influence the saints wrought on western civilization or the peculiarity of medieval pilgrimage? By examining the mysteries, sometimes grisly, sometimes delightful, of witches, heresy, obsolete religious practices and knights Kate attempts to answer these questions. She also provides personal reflections and anecdotes from her own Camino walk and subsequent trips to northern Spain undertaken with her husband. As well as asking deep questions, Medieval Wanders and Wonders offers insight into the nature of pilgrimage and the curiosities and marvels of medieval Spain.
£8.99£6.29 -
You Never Walk Alone
Today, numerous individuals find themselves adrift, seeking meaning in a world where various ideologies have faltered: Communism, Capitalism, Nationalism, Materialism. Amidst this ideological void, one ponders: What is the essence of life? Who or what can genuinely satisfy human yearnings?
Each year, hundreds of thousands embark on the Camino, or segments of it, in a quest for purpose. In 2018, I joined this pursuit, starting my journey on the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port in France and concluding in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This 800 km trek, spanning forty days, was a solo venture, but as this book reveals, I was never truly alone. Along the way, I encountered numerous individuals, sharing not only the physical path but also profound connections.
I wholeheartedly recommend this pilgrimage – far more than a mere walk – to anyone earnestly seeking meaning in life.
£16.99£11.89 -
Transit to India
Changing times bring changing outlooks but even back in 1984, well before the plethora of today’s health and safety laws and risk-averse attitudes, an overland school trip to far-off India was considered somewhat extreme. And doubly so, given that travel through Iran was unavoidable despite Iran at the time suffering the upheavals of the Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution and engagement in a bloody war with neighbouring country Iraq.
The idea behind this 10000-mile, eight-week journey was to present a ‘retired’ old school Ford Transit minibus to the charity ‘Lepra’ to aid its life-saving work among India’s rural poor. Ten pupils aged 12 to 16, accompanied by two teachers, made up the delivery crew, in so doing possibly making the longest school minibus trip ever undertaken. One of the boys travelling (aged 15 at the time) said recently: “Surviving all the adventures and hairy incidents, all I can say is that I set off as a boy and returned as a man.”
£8.99£6.29 -
Two Old Farts, Boots, Map and Compass
This interesting and fun-loving book draws the reader into sharing many unique experiences of walking in the South Lake District, Bowland fells and the naturally drained conditions of the limestone link, stretching from Kirkby Lonsdale to Grange-over-Sands via Arnside, giving pleasant walk experiences during the wet winter months in England.
Leaving England behind, they catch the first flight out to their beloved Crete and villa for the summer months. Come along and enjoy the wonderful walks in the Psiloritis and Lefka Ori mountains and villages, explore the wild and beautiful gorges and visit many sites of great archaeological interest.
Read the tales of helping friends plant beetroot and artichokes, pick and tread grapes the old traditional way and watch raki being made in one of the mountain villages. Read about parties with Cretan friends in the moonlit warm evenings and BBQs in a quiet olive grove after helping friends clear the land beneath the trees. Enjoy the many experiences that the average tourist never sees.
£8.99£6.29 -
Tales of Travels and Trains
Jim Nicholls takes readers on a journey like no other. Visit places as remote as the Zulu battlefields in South Africa, learn about an inventor who made the first heavier-than-air flight before the Wright brothers, and take in an Easter church service in a small Portuguese town.
All this and more are held together by tales of trains ranging from a tiny rail motor in the Queensland outback to a wild ride in Borneo. Experience Switzerland and America from the windows of a train.
Train travel opens a window on the world, allowing a visual eavesdropping and intrusion into a country’s backyard that, if done in any other form, would probably result in arrest. Trains have it all, they convert the journey into the adventure. Real people travel on trains.
Discussing with a young girl from New Zealand how one meets interesting and friendly people on such journeys, she neatly summed it up: ‘Yeah, how many nice people do you ever meet on an aeroplane?’
£9.99£6.99 -
Trampled by Tapir and Other Tales from a Globe-Trotting Naturalist
Pete Oxford is an award-winning photographer with images and stories appearing in the likes of National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Time and Outdoor Photography Magazine – which named him one of the top 40 most influential nature photographers in the world. He has travelled to each continent many times. Wearing different hats, he has been privileged to know many of the world’s most remote and pristine destinations as a professional wildlife photographer, an expedition leader on adventure tourism ships, a professional naturalist and on his own personal quests. Pete has a deep knowledge of all things natural and you will find yourself enthralled by this collection of short stories from his exhaustive travels. At times you will laugh out loud at the hilarity of the tales, then be blindsided by a short, thought-provoking sentence. Pete reveals his most embarrassing moments, his fears, his triumphs, his insights and his uninhibited passion for the wild. It is an inspiration to immerse yourself on a journey of adventure and discovery in the natural world.
£9.99£6.99 -
Travel With A Gavel
‘I was a most unlikely traveller. Growing up in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, I had no great ambitions to travel other than to visit friends and family within a two- or three-mile radius. From the age of 11, I had to take the bus each day to the nearest grammar school, 10 miles away in Omagh. Apart from that there was an annual, one-day, bus trip to Bundoran, a small seaside town in County Donegal. That was more than enough travelling for me. At the age of 19, I had never been to Belfast or Dublin, and didn’t feel I had missed anything.
Sixty-two years later, when I sat down to write this travelogue, I realised that in the intervening years I had visited seventy-five countries and all five continents, many of the countries visited multiple times. How had I morphed from someone with little interest in travel into someone who was ready to fly off to anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat? Were the wanderlust seeds sown in my formative years or was I bitten by the travel bug after accepting an offer to represent Northern Ireland at an international conference?
I begin by trying to answer that question before going on to recount my unique experiences and perceptions, gathered from over 30 years of travel, along with insights into different countries, places and peoples. I hope you will agree that the outcome presents as a rich and illuminating read.’£10.99£7.69 -
Two Suitcases full of Kangaroos
Passport? Check!
Suitcases? Check!
Kangaroos? Check!
And we’re off! If you enjoy travel, having a laugh, are a keen conversationalist and even keener historian and lover of brilliant architecture, then these trips are for you!
Take care to cosy on down in your seat, and choose your fellow seat-mate discerningly because one foot on the buses and there’s no looking back.
Tempted? Then make haste to hobble, hurdle or haul yourself up the gleaming silver steps of these ‘Laugh a minute’ luxury coaches and await further hilarious instructions. Rest assured you will never be able to look a tour guide straight in the eye ever again without thinking of Aston, Gilda, Stan or Hugh (no, not puppies).
From the wilds of Cornwall to cosy little Irish pubs, from pirate coves to magnificent Gothic churches, and from the oceans to the mountains across the valleys and windswept moors – these two coach tours have it all. Not to mention the mystery of the tiny, furry kangaroos.
£15.99£11.19 -
Vineyard Vacations - In The Counties of England and Wales
Travelling through the vineyards of England and Wales? Dive into an experience where you sip fine wines and rest without a care about the drive home.
From hidden gems offering quaint B&Bs to those with chic glamping sites, this guide will introduce you to unique stays right in the heart of wine country.
While it’s not exhaustive, it’s ever-evolving: each year adds fresh vineyards expanding their horizons. And as new terrains are cultivated, expect to taste wines echoing the distinct essence of their English and Welsh regions.
So, let your adventure begin – where the road is lined with vines, and every turn promises a new discovery.
£13.99£9.79 -
Panic Stations at Ski Stations
Conor MacNamara rode more than fifty of the greatest climbs in the Tour de France to try and conquer his fear of heights. In the end, Conor suffered a breakdown and discovered that he suffered from a panic disorder and required treatment. This book documents Conor’s experiences in detail.
£9.99£6.99 -
Cyclus – 12 Months in Bangladesh
Join Elizabeth Grevstad-Mork on a captivating journey through the heart of Bangladesh in Cyclus - 12 Months in Bangladesh. This illuminating memoir unravels the rich tapestry of Bangladesh’s landscapes, cultures and traditions over the course of a year. From the vibrant festivities of Baishakh to the serene winters of Magh, each chapter explores the unique aspects of life in different parts of Bangladesh.
Grevstad-Mork masterfully interweaves personal anecdotes with vivid descriptions, bringing to life the beauty and complexity of this South Asian nation. As the seasons change, so do the stories, painting a picture of a country full of contrast and colour. Experience the bustle of Dhaka’s streets, the tranquillity of rural villages and the spiritual solemnity of ancient temples.
More than a travel memoir, Cyclus is a profound reflection on the human spirit, resilience and the universal search for meaning in the world’s endless cycles. This book is a must read for anyone who longs to understand the soul of Bangladesh and the rhythm of life that pulses through its land and people.
£6.99£4.89 -
Half Longing Scotland
Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Scotland in this thought-provoking and enlightening book. Join Richard Gault as he recounts his month-long walk from the southernmost tip of Scotland to Inverness, covering half the length of the country. More than just a travelogue, this book will inspire you to see the familiar in new ways, from the tiniest midge to the most majestic mountain.
As Richard traverses the Scottish landscape, he uncovers a rich tapestry of history spanning two thousand years. He reveals Scotland as a land of saints, myths, and monsters; a land of heroes and villains; a land with surprising connections to distant countries. Through his journey, you’ll discover how Scotland played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world, even paving the way (quite literally, in one instance) for progress.
By the end of this book, you’ll find yourself filled with a deeper appreciation for the past and a renewed sense of wonder for Scotland’s nature, people, and landscapes. But the journey doesn’t end there. Richard’s experiences will leave you pondering profound questions about the present and future, inviting you to reflect on your own relationship with the world around you.
Informative, thought-provoking, and utterly engaging, this book is one you’ll find yourself recommending to friends time and time again. Step into Richard’s shoes and embark on an unforgettable journey through Scotland’s history, beauty, and soul.
£10.99£7.69