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A Suitcase Full of Wildflowers
There were possibly twenty reasons why I hung the sign on my study door reading, ‘Gone to Scotland... back in a month.’
Reason number one: I was compelled to languish on a stone bench in the rocky high grounds of Edinburgh Castle, eyes closed, savoring the sweet sound of bagpipes echoing through the centuries-old stillness. The only thrill that could possibly surpass the bagpipes would be the sensory awakening at the Edinburgh Tattoo. Beyond that, my list included a longing to revisit the lochs in hopes of glimpsing the elusive Nessie, a craving for the earthy taste of haggis, a penchant for a lively Scottish reel and jig, and a need to purchase genuine Scottish shortbread. I also yearned for an authentic Scottish coat, gloves, and matching tam-o-shanter, the sight of a man in a kilt (preferably bending over to tie his shoelaces), and the desire to potter around a certain famous viaduct crossing.
£15.99£11.19 -
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 -
Portraits of Travel
Laugh, cry, and feel wonder alongside 26 real-life wanderers in Portraits of Travel.
In 2015, Caroline Bouron embarked on a journey across the Pacific to discover what drives people to forsake comfort for life on the move. She ended up interviewing 26 globetrotting voyagers from 12 countries and all walks of life - cyclists, sailors, nomads traveling for weeks or years at a time. Though their reasons for roaming varied widely, the travellers shared one thing: encounters that profoundly shaped their trips and their selves.
With raw candour recalling both breathtaking vistas and bumpy roads, the voyagers recount outstanding memories from chance romantic trysts to brushes with death that forever altered their worldviews. And interspersed with travel tips and hidden gems worth visiting across the protagonists’ homelands, their stories may just provide the inspiration for your next adventure.
From lifelong nomad to novice wanderer, anyone with a flicker of wanderlust will see themselves reflected in these pages. So, grab your backpack and traverse the world through the eyes of these intrepid souls.
£16.99£11.89 -
75 Men, A Shipwreck and Me
Seventy-Five Men, A Shipwreck and Me is the true story of a daring race to recover a treasure trove of silver from a torpedoed wreck lying one-and-a-half miles beneath the Indian Ocean. The quest unites seventy-five seasoned seafarers, each skilled in navigating the ocean’s mysteries. However, they face an unexpected challenge: adapting to Catherine, an English woman aboard their converted drill ship.
“Catherine Bailey’s true story of a salvage expedition to the Indian Ocean is a vivid account of her own experience aboard a salvage vessel, the only woman in a large crew of hard men hungry to locate a vast fortune of sunken treasure. Told with energy, wit and unflappable composure, Bailey’s account of the voyage is by turns exhilarating, comic and fraught with tension. A marvellous account of an extraordinary adventure.”
– Patrick McGrath, author of Asylum and Martha Peake.
£9.99£6.99 -
The Holy Lands of the Bible
We are currently witnessing yet another war in the Middle East. Conflicts in this region between various groups have been ongoing for thousands of years. At one time there was even a Mongol army here. At various times the same groups have been fighting each other for centuries. With this background, how can this land be called “holy”?
The people of Israel were chosen by God to prepare the way for the coming of the world’s redeemer, Jesus, and it is Jesus who makes the land holy. This also includes other lands associated with the Bible: Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Greece – and indeed extends to the whole world. I was privileged to have spent a significant amount of time in these lands, but realised that this involved an obligation to share.
This book is a record of my time in these countries in an attempt to share some insights and help in making these lands of the Bible stories come alive, thus enhancing our understanding of the Bible and Jesus. It may also be useful for those who are planning to make a pilgrimage to these lands.
Maybe it is no accident that these holy lands attract so much evil. Yet Jesus came to bring healing, forgiveness and peace.
£22.99£16.09 -
Poochtraveller
Poochtraveller is the bible of dog travel guides – an insightful and down-to-earth book, and an invaluable support system for all dog owners looking to travel abroad.
Claire Templeton distils what she has learned over years of trial and error, traveling throughout Europe with her dog Snowy.
You will come away from this book feeling confident and excited about your travels, with some personal recommendations to get you started.
£11.99£8.39 -
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 -
A Suitcase Full of Pink Pearls
Of course, I’d shied away from traveling to Croatia! Why embrace the unknown with Venice, Nice, Rome, and Constantinople calling? I’d heard whisperings of a city dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ but had little idea where that soul-stirring nirvana might have been located. You can imagine my surprise and delight, when I was invited to accompany five friends and their two young sons to Dubrovnik, Croatia, for a five-day stint in the scorching Balkan sun.
Words cannot express that first glimpsing of the red-roofed, white-walled, brilliant-blue -sea-skirted city when our sleek, silver, chauffeur-driven van tumbled into town from the brooding, cobalt-crusted Dubrovnik mountains.
Lord Byron had it right: Heaven on Earth!
The following five days for our ‘party of eight’ included beaches, swimming pools, ‘Old Town’ treasures, Wall-walks, Croatian food to die for, and best of all – a delightful ‘Game of Thrones’ tour, which had two little boys searching every nook and cranny on the ‘Kings landing’ for that elusive Iron Throne. Who’s never wanted to play kings or queens?
So you’ll be joining us on this pink-pearler tour in one of the world’s most Instagram-able spots? Thought so!
£10.99£7.69 -
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 -
Working at the End of the World: An Antarctic Diary
This honest, terrifying as well as humorous account of travelling and working in the magnificence of Antarctica will allow the reader to visualize and feel the harshness and beauty of the great white continent.The main body of the book is the diary account of a two-person deep field research trip. This is about being out in the remote mountains and glaciers facing up to extreme adversity in the coldest place on the planet while retaining one’s sense of humour; the psychology of spending time tent-bound in extreme isolation with just one other person and an honest reflection at the sad moments while being in a storm-bound tent, dwelling on life back in England. There is humour throughout, and the real and honest fear that one feels when in truly dire situations hundreds of miles from safety. The opening chapters look at the author's six-week ocean journey from England to Antarctica on the research ship ‘The RRS John Biscoe’.
£8.99£6.29 -
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 -
Keep On Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea
Today’s fast-changing, globalised world is challenging thousands of years of received wisdom and ideas about Western society. The idea of Ancient Greece as being the cradle of civilisation is increasingly being called into question, not only by archaeological findings, but also by younger generations. As the author and her husband planned a series of sailing trips around the eastern Mediterranean, their children’s question “Why Greece?” inspired the author to investigate why Ancient Greece is so important – or indeed whether it is really still important at all.Readers of this book are introduced to the lasting influence of Ancient Greece through stories from ancient, medieval and modern times, enlivened by accounts of the author’s sailing adventures and are helped along with a large number of citations, maps and photos. This book aspires not only to entertain, but also to inspire, and to reflect on the ongoing impact of Ancient Greek ideas on today’s world.
£13.99£9.79