Search Results for: Lifestyle

It’s time to take beer drinking to the next level? These outrageous challenges, hilarious dares and awesome drinking games will make beer drinking even better than it was before.

A good session will never be the same. Rise to the challenge, if you dare…

With a glint in his eye, Rob turns and asks me if I want to ‘touch his furry puma’. I begin to feel a little concerned about the days and weeks ahead; we are only hours into the trip and things have already taken a sinister turn. Thankfully it turns out he is referring to the little embossed logo on his new shirt. Fuelled by a degree of mid-life crisis and the need to escape, albeit temporarily, the dull routine of modern life, David and Rob set out to walk from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, taking in French villages, beautiful scenery and one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Europe. Just about perfect – if you can put aside the inevitable conflict, drama and unexpected tedium that results from two men spending over seven solid weeks in each other’s company! This humorous, reflective and often poignant account of two increasingly hairy hikers’ coast-to-coast trek along the length of the French Pyrenees, revealing the history and geography along the way, will appeal to weekend walkers, serious trekkers and all who simply enjoy a good story of human endeavour and foolishness.

Did you know…

…that the oldest tree in Wales is a yew in Llangernyw in Conwy, thought to be around 4,000 years old?

… that London is one of only three cities worldwide to have hosted both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games?

… that Ebenezer Place in Wick, Caithness, is officially recognised as the shortest street in the world, at a mere 206 cm (81 in.) in length?

From a Scottish waterfall three times the height of Niagara Falls to the last foreign invasion of Britain and the birthplace of the first Oscar-winning Welshman, The British Isles: A Trivia Gazetteer brings together hundreds of remarkable facts and feats each pertaining to a different location from across Britain and Ireland. As much an accessible and informative reference book as it is an entertaining miscellany, it aims to expand our knowledge of these extraordinary islands while uncovering and celebrating some of their most remarkable people and places.

A bike can be so many different things – a simple way of navigating busy city streets or enjoying quiet lanes, a cross-country steed to take a rider up hill and down dale or even a world-beating racing machine. What unites everyone who rides is that they each have their own cycling story to tell.
This book collects inspirational stories from riders around the world, both ordinary and extraordinary, from the cyclist who conquered Mont Ventoux on a Boris bike, to the trials rider who hops from building to building, to classic tales of Grand Tour rivalries and legendary cycling records of days gone by. Essential reading for anyone who loves life on two wheels.

Laura was a self-certified couch potato who, until a few years ago, could only run for a couple of minutes at a time, and couldn’t swim. She has now completed several marathons and is a committed triathlete.
But Laura couldn’t have achieved what she has without the advice and support of her friend Katie. A life-long runner, fair-weather cyclist and born-again swimmer, Katie helped Laura through the ups and downs of training for a triathlon. As well as surmounting fears of failure and, more importantly, Laura’s fears of drowning in the swim start, their triathlon journey gave them the opportunity to push their limits and have fun along the way.
Tricurious tells Laura’s and Katie’s story with energy and humour. Filled with anecdotes and advice about the trials and tribulations of preparing for a triathlon, this inspiring book will answer your questions and leave you curious to experience the joy (and pain) of swim, bike, run.

This beautiful collection of poetry and prose through the seasons rhapsodises on the spectacle of colour and everything green and flourishing in the garden. The perfect book for a moment’s reflection, whether you are cooped up on a rainy day in your potting shed or admiring the fruits of your labour on a sunny evening from the pergola.

Who says unicorns aren’t real?
Life’s never dull when you have a unicorn by your side. These sparkly friends bring magic into our lives, from the tips of their magical horns to the swishy ends of their rainbow tails. Enter the awesomely cute world of unicorns, and whatever anyone says – don’t stop believing!

We buy food we can point to. We stalk the streets until rush hour and wait for the little hatches to open in the sides of restaurants. From the steamy openings, cooks in overalls sell jiaozi (dumplings) and bowls of thick, sticky, white congee – an unholy cross between soup and porridge. Baozi, steamed white buns, are light as air. I buy them filled with water spinach and nettle – delicious dipped in sharp, black Chinese vinegar.

In 2008, Miranda and her partner set off for one last big adventure before settling down. They chose to travel through South-East Asia. All did not go to plan: Asian flu, falling off boats and the general chaos of a life abroad challenged them at every step, and yet, in the midst of it all, they fell in love with the culture and culinary delights of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Interesting Information + Slick Graphics = This Infographic Book
This is the super-stylish book you didn’t know you needed until you saw it. Packed with weird and wonderful visual information, it is guaranteed to entertain and help you look at things in a completely new way.

From Dark Peak on the Pennine Way in Derbyshire to the misty Malverns in Worcestershire and Milk Hill on the Mid-Wilts Way, walking the county high points provides the perfect opportunity for ramblers to experience the English countryside. An indefatigable walker, David Bathurst has unlaced his boots to produce this unique companion to the country’s most rewarding hilltop trails. His appreciation of the beauty and history of the British countryside and his light-hearted style will appeal to experienced and novice walkers alike.

This book brings together some of the most weird and wonderful true – and not-so-true – tales that will confound, delight and amuse. Together with an amazing selection of unbelievable facts, Bullshit will reliably inform you about the real colour of hippo’s milk (pink), the human–banana DNA split (50:50), why a dismembered member caused a road closure in the UK and much more.

‘The smallest feline is a masterpiece.’
Leonardo da Vinci
This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, heart-warming stories and inspiring quotes about cats, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of hearing the soothing purr of a feline companion.

Use the ancient wisdom of the stars to uncover your destiny with this introduction to astrology

Are you headstrong and impatient? Can you see both sides of an argument in a balanced way? Do you often find yourself swimming in circles while trying to make a decision? These character traits could actually be written in the stars.

The Little Book of Astrology delves into each of the astrological signs and shows you how to interpret the cosmos, not only day-to-day but far ahead into the future. Let this book shine a light on how the stars can reveal a deeper understanding of yourself and others.

– Devise and interpret your own birth chart
– Learn about different astrological applications and techniques
– Discover the hidden meanings of different planets in your chart and their influence on your character and your future
– Read about the fascinating history of astrologers, from the Babylonians and Persians to present-day practitioners
– Understand how different star signs interact, and why you attract certain types of people into your life

If you want to know your ichthyosaur from your iguanodon, and your belemnites from your brachiopods, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of palaeontology

Life as we know it now has a long history, buried beneath the ground. Palaeontology is the science of fossilized animals and plants, using discoveries of ancient lifeforms to uncover secrets of the past. From giant dinosaurs, to ammonites, to the first ever humans, explore the greatest findings in palaeontology in this pocket-sized introduction.

The Little Book of Palaeontology includes:
– The key palaeontological discoveries over the past 400 years, including the dinosaur found complete with intricate scales, and the largest fossil ever uncovered
– Profiles of influential palaeontologists such as Jack Horner, Dong Zhiming and Mary Anning
– What we have learnt about the lives of ancient creatures and how they became extinct
– The big questions about the prehistoric world that palaeontologists are trying to answer today

This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how life evolved. Look through this window to the past and learn about our prehistoric ancestors and the creatures of a bygone age.

Mont Blanc, or ‘Il Bianco’ as it is sometimes known as in Italy; The White One. It sits, regally, upon pleated glacial folds gathered together around a timeless, grey-rock body, high above the French town of Chamonix, lord of all that it surveys. It beguiles, bewitches and charms the lesser folk who seek to frolic and play amongst the buttressed foothills of its ancient frame, but exudes also a sense of foreboding; a warning to the one hundred or so climbers that die each year attempting to reach the gleaming, domed summit of this great snow-encrusted mountain.

Framed by the cobalt blue sky and golden alpine sun, Western Europe’s highest mountain has held a certain allure over explorers and hikers for centuries, playing host to the likes of Hannibal, Napoleon and the early pioneers of alpine exploration.

In a muddy field somewhere in Cornwall on New Year’s Day, two men make a pact to tackle it. Call it a mid-life crisis, with not only his daughter about to leave for university but also the rapidly approaching prospect of his fiftieth birthday to consider: walking 170 kilometres across a mountain range seems the perfect antidote. Humorous, reflective and poignant, this is the story of a journey around one of the world’s most iconic mountains, through an area that is full to bursting with stories to remember.

‘At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.’
Thomas Tusser

Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the festive period distract you from what should be the happiest time of the year. This indispensable gem of a book offers practical tips on everything from organising party games the whole family will enjoy to planning the all-important Christmas dinner, and will help ensure that Christmas is manageable, and more importantly, fun!

Are you ready to transform your life? This beautiful guide to tarot tells you everything you need to know to help you understand the deck and decode the symbolism of the cards.

Whether you want spiritual guidance, answers to life’s biggest questions, or a deeper connection to your unconscious self, this book will help you tap into the power of the tarot deck to gain insight into your mind, your soul and the world around you.

As well as an introduction to the 78 cards of the major and minor arcana, you will discover:
– How to lay out the cards and interpret their meanings
– Advice to help you hone your intuition
– How to understand the deck through the power of numerology
– Creative rituals to help you live with the energy of each major arcana

Delve into the sacred art of tarot to illuminate your life and find guidance for your unique journey. To begin, you need nothing more than your desire to learn. Are you ready to receive the magic of the cards?

The sun is out. The temperature is soaring. And you are starving. If these factors don’t give you a valid licence to grill, then what does?! (NB: a BBQ in winter is totally acceptable, too!)

Whether you are hosting a large gathering or you want to whip up something quick and easy for one, this book covers all BBQ bases, including:
– Meat, fish and veggie grills – raise your culinary game with BBQ pulled pork and creamy slaw burgers, grilled squid with a Thai dipping sauce, and mixed vegetable and seitan skewers, to name just a few!
– Sauces, marinades and rubs – heighten the flavours of your food with BBQ and whisky glaze, homemade mayonnaise, Cajun rub, and much much more!
– Side dishes – serve up some old favourites and new delights, such as chargrilled aubergine and quinoa salad, cheesy Portobello mushrooms and classic egg mayonnaise.
– Sweet treats – top off the feast with some delicious desserts, including s’mores and grilled fruit kebabs.

It’s time to don your apron, fuel the flames and get grilling!

If I were paper
And you picked me from the pile,
I’d become for you a folded swan
Just to see you smile.

This collection of heartfelt poems and adorable illustrations captures some of the sweetest, most whimsical and romantic gestures that could ever be imagined – the perfect way to show your loved one just how much you care!

Show your special someone just how special they are!

This little book is filled with tips for sparking romance – from thoughtful surprises to dreamy date-night ideas – and brimming with amorous quotes to sweep your partner off their feet. Love is in the air!

I love you a latte!

You are one in a melon!

Time fries when I’m with you!

Show your partner how much you love them with this cute illustrated book, packed with punderful phrases and dreamy quotes.

A hug is all you need

There’s nothing quite like a hug, so open up your arms to this little book of heart-warming statements and adorable illustrations. Whether it’s a gentle embrace or a super-squishy squeeze, no one can resist the power of a simple hug.

Show your special someone just how precious they are with this little book filled with tips and ideas for sparking romance

When it comes to love, our actions speak louder than words. Whether you’re already in a relationship and looking for ways to keep things fresh, or you’re hoping for love to blossom and need some first-date ideas, this book will help you show your special someone just how you feel.

Inside you will find:
– Inspirational quotes from the world’s greatest romantics to get you in the mood for love.
– Practical advice on everything from where to spend loved-up days out to ideas for little tokens of affection that will help keep the fire in your heart burning.
– Top tips on understanding and appreciating your partner, helping you to enrich your existing relationship or nurture a new one.

With this book on your side, it won’t be long before love is in the air!

You remind me of a parking ticket. You’ve got ‘fine’ written all over you.


Have you ever been surrounded by hot women and stuck for an opening line?
From CLASSIC QUIPS to TOP TIPS on body language and online dating, this little book will help you shake off your fears of making the fi rst move and become a DATING AFICIONADO.