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.

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.

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.

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.

Frugal Fusion Foods

Unleash your culinary creativity with this budget-friendly, time-saving book of vegan recipes! Enjoy quick and delicious meals, as well as more elaborate options for when you have more time. Discover the art of maximizing ingredients, making two dinners out of one, and using seasonal fruits and vegetables. Stock your pantry with our guide and never waste a single ingredient again. From savoury crumbles to coconut milk soups, this cookbook will take your taste buds on a journey while also being kind to the animals. And as a bonus, treat yourself to a seasonal High Tea that will leave you feeling satisfied, both in taste and wallet. Embrace the world of fusion food and become an eco-conscious cook today.

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.

My Kosmos My Kitchen

In ancient times, Greek ambrosia was believed to be the food of the gods.

Here at last is a collection of modern, traditional, and most importantly foolproof Greek recipes by renowned chef Loulla Astin.

For Loulla there’s nothing quite like the feeling one gets when descending the aeroplane’s stairs arriving in Cyprus and Greece; from the nostalgic aroma that engulfs the senses as the hot air wraps itself around your body like a cosy blanket, to the natural kind gestures of the locals that warms everybody’s hearts. The Greeks have a unique word for it: ‘Philoxenia’. More than just hospitality, it translates as ‘a friend to a stranger’, but is actually deeper in meaning.

These beautiful recipes are intertwined memories and stories from Loulla’s childhood in Cyprus and her visits to Greece both professionally while filming 52 programmes of ‘Simply Greek’ for Granada’s Sky Breeze, and as a tourist in various locations.

With this book, Loulla will take you back to the warm inviting times spent in the tavernas and family homes of Cyprus and Greece.

Yiamas!

Comfort in Crisis

What does one do in lockdown during the modern world’s worst global pandemic? With limited shopping trips and ingredients available, but a burning desire to eat healthier, Ken Knight took to the kitchen and keyboard to create, test and document over 100 easy-to-follow plant-based recipes. The meat-free (fish allowed), gluten-free, dairy-free (butter allowed, are you crazy?) and sugar-free creations inside go from appetizers to desserts to leave both your mind and palate completely satisfied.

In this volume, Knight continues to weave in common-sense cooking and life tips, just as in his first book, Lefty Loosey Righty Tighty. Prior to the pandemic, the author also penned a personal account of a life filled with fear and anxiety in Thru The Blue and Happy Too with useful tips then – and even more so now – on how to overcome and carry on with a happy life.

The Valtellina and Lake Como Food and Drink

Have you heard of the Valtellina and the Valchiavenna? If not, you are in the company of most people who have visited Italy – even those who know and love Lake Como, one of the great beauty spots of the world. Yet the northern finger of the lake touches the Valtellina valley, where the pre-Alps meet the Alps. Here, in celebration of their symbiotic relationship, the mighty river of the Valtellina, the Adda, roars into the lake.

One enters, as through a door in a child’s story book, another world, an unspoilt, majestic valley, known for centuries as a cornucopia of goodness, full of historic towns and gastronomic specialities unique to the area. Its 2,500 kilometres of dry-stone walls make up the largest terraced area of viticulture in all Italy, known as ‘heroic viticulture’ for its dependence on human labour. However, its superb DOCG wines largely remain a secret to the rest of the world.

This book is a lovingly researched, lyrical evocation of one of the most stunning areas of the world and its food and drink. It presents its culinary delights in the context of their history, territory, and local customs.

Garlands of Marigolds

Garlands of Marigolds takes readers in their imagination to so many sights and experiences in Northern India. Witness the beauty of its mountains, lakes, rivers, and deserts. Experience the cultures, the spirituality, and the charm of its people. See simple traditional villages and remarkable modern developments. Come close to its wildlife, from cute squirrels, inquisitive monkeys, and stately camels to the majestic tiger.

The author has built this story over 20 years of travel as an independent tourist, to places famous and others scarcely known. This is a light-hearted, humorous, and enjoyable read, enriched with fascinating facts, real-life experiences, and original photographs.

Maybe you will be encouraged to visit or re-visit this amazing place, to go beyond the usual tourist trails and seek new experiences and exciting adventures.

Eat Like a Georgian – a Culinary Journey of the Black Sea Coast

While not everyone has the chance to voyage to far-off lands and indulge in native delicacies, it's often that these world cuisines find their way to us. Whether through a local restaurant, a takeaway order, or a homemade culinary adventure, we’ve become familiar with the flavours of Italy, China, or India. But what about venturing into the unexplored? How about diving into the culinary treasures of a small country, once the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire, boasting a wine-making legacy spanning millennia? Welcome to the rich cuisine of Georgia! Explore its unique recipes, crafted with easily attainable ingredients, which might just find a permanent spot in your culinary rotation. Ready to tantalize your taste buds? Why not go Georgian tonight?

Dishes with Strange Names

British and Irish cuisine, rich in tradition and flavour, has faced challenges in adapting to the modern world. Renowned for its hearty ingredients and lengthy cooking times, this style of cooking often clashes with today’s fast-paced lifestyle, where time is precious and health consciousness prevails. Moreover, these cuisines are known for their quirky and sometimes whimsical dish names.

This cookbook celebrates the unique and oddly named dishes of British and Irish fare, offering just under 200 recipes for culinary exploration. Each recipe is preceded by a story delving into the dish’s history and distinct features. While some dishes remain widely recognized and cherished classics, like ‘the full English,’ ‘colcannon,’ ‘toad in the hole,’ and ‘bubble and squeak,’ others are regional favourites, such as ‘scouse’ in Merseyside and ‘parmo’ in the North East. There are also lesser-known, rarely eaten delicacies like ‘apple hat’ and ‘collier's foot.’

For those intrigued by the misleading, such as ‘squab pie’ (made with lamb, not pigeon) or ‘Glamorgan sausages’ (meatless, cheese-based sausages), this book is a treasure trove of culinary surprises. And for the more adventurous, how about trying ‘toenail pudding’ or a slice of ‘fly cemetery’? This book promises to pique your curiosity and introduce you to the charming eccentricities of British and Irish cooking.