Search Results for: Lifestyle

Your gap year stretches ahead of you, begging to be filled with sun-drenched beaches, treks through exotic landscapes, and thrilling exploits. How can you plan the adventures to make the most of your time out? This essential guide is crammed with exciting ideas from around the world, from abseiling to zorbing, diving with sharks to learning yoga from the masters. Discover how to make your gap year truly unforgettable.

You want to see the world – but you also want to help make it a better place. With so many aid opportunities on every continent, how do you find the one that’s right for you? Whether you want to care for tropical birds in Costa Rica, work with disadvantaged children in Morocco, or raise money for research projects in the UK, this handy audiobook will answer all your volunteer questions. Included are notes on costs and what you need to take with you, as well as inspiring ideas on what to do and where to go. This guide will ensure that you make a difference and have a gap year you’ll remember forever.

The mystery of Rennes-le-Château has inspired treasure hunts, theories about the origins of Christianity, and the best-selling novel and film The Da Vinci Code. The mystery concerns Bérenger Saunière, the 19th century priest of an impoverished hilltop village in southern France who became immensely wealthy after apparently finding ancient parchments hidden in his church. Although the secret of the source of his money died with him, he left behind enigmatic clues that have puzzled researchers ever since.

In this audiobook, Stewart Ferris, author of The Key to The Da Vinci Code, tours Rennes-le-Château searching for evidence to support the leading theories as to the origins of Saunière’s fortune, but in doing so he comes across people and clues that lead him to draw fresh and original conclusions of his own. This audiobook is based on the DVD programme of the same name.

The quest for the Holy Grail has stirred popular imagination for almost a thousand years, not least in the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The facts behind the myths are no less romantic, but the story is far more complex than knights in shining armour seeking mythical cups.

This documentary examines the theory that Hayling Island, on England’s south coast, may well have a part to play in the mystery. This astonishing story begins in the Holy Land in the first century AD and continues into the Roman occupation of Britain and to some odd goings-on on Hayling Island during the 19th century. Studies of the island’s very close ties with France after the Norman Conquest and its links with the Crusades to recapture Jerusalem have led Robin Walton to look closely at how these have affected Hayling, its secret history and its potential as the last hiding place for the legendary Grail.

This audiobook is based on the DVD programme of the same name.

Ever woken from a night of revelry to find your drunken antics the subject of a tagfest? Ever accidentally wall-posted yourself into a relationship row or been hunted by a school-days stalker? If your real social life is dying a death at the hands of your virtual one, fear not, Facebookers – help is just a little book away.This cheeky unofficial guide will show you how to navigate the perilous pitfalls of life online while having as much fun as possible.

Get to grips with tags, pokes, requests and posts, and work them to your advantage. Tips and hints include how to:

tag your way out of a bad relationship
poke and post without stalking
keep your friends close and your enemies closer
Whether you’re a Facebook virgin or an application addict, you won’t want to log in without this book.

The affirmative bible for the modern woman, this book celebrates all the reasons why it’s great to be a girl!

Have you ever wondered about the value of those dusty old heirlooms in your attic? Do you want to learn how to sell them at auction? Or perhaps you’d like to know how to pick up a bargain at auction? In Buying and Selling Antiques at Auction, TV antiques expert John Cameron explains the entire process for both buyers and sellers, breaking it down into simple steps so that anyone can take part in an auction with confidence.

John joined the popular BBC1 programme, ‘Cash In The Attic’ as an ‘Expert Presenter’ in 2004. His appearances in series 5 were well received and he has remained with the show having recently completed filming series 10. During this time he has co-presented with Ben Fogle, Alistair Appleton, Jenny Bond, Lorne Spicer and Angus Purden.

This audiobook is based on the DVD of the same name.

A collection of mysterious and fascinating stories about Dragons, told in a unique and original way by storyteller Clare Viner. The stories Clare tells are never written down, so they are never fixed. Each telling is new and spontaneous – like Chinese whispers the stories change a little each time they are told. Things get forgotten and new bits added in; this is the real magic of storytelling, like the breath that tells the tales, the stories themselves are alive, they cannot be pinned like butterflies. So the tales you hear sparkle with spontaneity – like life they are exquisite and unpolished. Listen to them once or twice then recreate them yourself. Let the story change and come alive again, on the pulse of your breath.

The Laidely Worm of Spindlestone High
Clare has re-interpreted this old legend from Nothumbria.
In many early myths the Goddess is represented as an old, wise and very powerful hag – and as a young, fertile maiden. Over time, in stories, the hag has been shown as ‘evil’ – her great wisdom and power being feared. In this story Clare portrays her as a loving initiator, who knows she must teach her daughter – in order for her to survive…

The Gurt Worm of Shervidge Forest
A re-working of an old Somerset legend. In this story, a forest is guarded by a huge fire breathing Dragon. Only one little old lady is allowed into the forest through an archway of Rowan trees and she becomes the Dragon’s best friend. There is a sad ending to this story but it teaches us that the magic of the Dragon and the Rowan tree are for protection.

A collection of mysterious and fascinating stories about Fairies, told in a unique and original way by storyteller Clare Viner. The stories Clare tells are never written down, so they are never fixed. Each telling is new and spontaneous – like Chinese whispers the stories change a little each time they are told. Things get forgotten and new bits added in; this is the real magic of storytelling, like the breath that tells the tales, the stories themselves are alive, they cannot be pinned like butterflies. So the tales you hear sparkle with spontaneity – like life they are exquisite and unpolished. Listen to them once or twice then recreate them yourself. Let the story change and come alive again, on the pulse of your breath.

The Magic Cooking Pot
An old Scottish folktale. If you had a magic pot that gave you any food you wanted, what would you choose? And would you mind if the fairy folk came skipping into your house every evening and morning to collect it? This is the tale of one man who did mind…

Mossy Coat
This is an old Gypsy story collected in Northumberland. As you listen to the story you will find that about half way through…you start to recognise the tale. It is a story that you will have heard before, a well loved fairy tale, but never quite like this!

Abraham Stocker and the Pixies
A mysterious and eerie tale of the pixies scorned. The story was originally written in Somerset dialect and had been collected from a local man on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset.

A collection of mysterious and fascinating stories about Trees, told in a unique and original way by storyteller Clare Viner. The stories Clare tells are never written down, so they are never fixed. Each telling is new and spontaneous – like Chinese whispers the stories change a little each time they are told. Things get forgotten and new bits added in; this is the real magic of storytelling, like the breath that tells the tales, the stories themselves are alive, they cannot be pinned like butterflies. So the tales you hear sparkle with spontaneity – like life they are exquisite and unpolished. Listen to them once or twice then recreate them yourself. Let the story change and come alive again, on the pulse of your breath.

Bethuska and the Silver Birch Tree
Based on a Czech folk tale, this is the story of a little girl called Bethuska. All her life Bethuska has been desperately poor but one day, while she is up in the silver birch tree grove, she meets a mysterious fairy woman who will change her life forever…

The Apple Maiden
This is a Celtic legend from Ireland. It is often told as a great tragedy but the angle has been changed a little, to suggest that the kings son may have been happy with his fate…
Next time you eat an apple cut it in half horizontally – this will reveal a star shape inside the apple, an ancient symbol of the fairy-folk.

The Elder Tree
This is a story created by Clare, using traditional folklore and herbal knowledge.
There is a tall, silver woman who lives in the Elder tree. She is a wise woman and can heal many troubles – but be sure to ask her permission before cutting her wood, or, like the family in this story, she might just pay you a visit…

Designed to boost your confidence with the opposite sex, this book contains tips and advice to help chat-up women.

This guide is designed to help cooks of every ability through the confusing minefield of culinary terms from around the world.

I arise from dreams of thee
In the first sweet sleep of night,
When the winds are breathing low,
And the stars are shining bright.
I arise from dreams of thee,
And a spirit in my feet
Hath led me – who knows how? – 
To thy window chamber, Sweet!

Percy Bysshe Shelley


 


The best love poetry is passionate and timeless, expressing our deepest feelings and strongest desires with grace and emotion. Ranging from Sappho, Chaucer and Shakespeare through to Emily Dickinson and Christina Rossetti, this elegantly illustrated anthology presents a selection of moving and enduring poems that speak straight to the heart.

Say bye-bye to boredom!

School’s out – a time that many parents dread. How is it possible to keep kids from staring at screens or complaining there is nothing to do all day? This survival guide is here to help. It’s packed with brilliant and inexpensive activities to engage young minds and create awesome memories. From outdoor pursuits to indoor amusements, solo crafting to group games, there’s inspiration in these pages to get you through the lockdown.

It’s time to experience the joys of simple living

Whether you want to make small changes to your life or you’re looking to transform it, The Art of Simple Living will show you the way to a more wholesome existence. With help on how to declutter your home, practise mindfulness and make your mealtimes, free time and relationships more fulfilling, the advice and tips in this book will guide you towards a simpler life filled with joy, laughter and love.

It’s time to make your home a wellness zone!

Your home environment should lift you up and bring you joy. But the you live and work in one place, you’re all the more aware of how surroundings can affect your well-being.

No Place Like Home offers simple and effective ways to transform your home environment to be more mindfully aligned with who you are. It’s packed with ideas for upcycling and decluttering, as well as comforting recipes, soothing relaxation rituals and innovative ways to bring the outside in. This restorative book will help you rediscover the delights of your four walls as a space for calm, productivity, happiness and personal growth.

You don’t need a garden to grow your own food! This book is the perfect beginner’s guide to micro-gardening, featuring tips on how to start, what to choose and how to grow over 20 types of plant for your kitchen.

Have you ever been curious about growing your own food? Do you lack a garden? Have you got limited space in your home? Then this book is for you!

Whether you want to produce fresh herbs for your cooking, save money on your food bill, reduce your carbon footprint or enjoy the simple pleasure of watching something grow, My Tiny Kitchen Garden is bursting with tips and ideas to help you get started, including:

– The basics of micro-gardening
– Troubleshooting tips
– Plant profiles to help you choose what to grow
– Craft ideas to help you style your plants
– Advice on growing food from scraps
– How to save and store seeds
Whether you’re a budding gardener or a seasoned expert looking for seeds of inspiration, dive into this book to hone your green fingers and cultivate your very own tiny kitchen garden.

The world is yours to explore

The great outdoors is the beating heart of our world, but modern life is pulling us ever further away from it. Spending our time shut away indoors and hunched over screens, we’ve lost touch with nature, and it’s harming our health and our happiness. But it’s never too late to find our way back.

This book will help you find a way of reconnecting with the great outdoors. Whether you like to walk, run or swim, admire the wildlife or forage for wild foods, within these pages there will be something to inspire you to get out into the fresh air and reignite your sense of wonder at the world around you. Nature is a balm for the body and soul, so escape the pace of the everyday and set yourself free: get out there, find adventure, and go wild!

This beautifully illustrated guide contains specific month-by-month ‘to do’ lists for ornamental gardens, edible crops and general maintenance, as well as tips on things to look out for, such as pests and how to eliminate them. With diary pages for making your own notes each month, this pocket-sized calendar is a must-have whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out. Pippa Greenwood is a leading light in the world of horticulture. She was a presenter on BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World for over 13 years and the gardening consultant for Rosemary and Thyme. She is a regular panellist and bug expert on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, has written a number of award-winning books and contributes to BBC Gardeners’ World magazine.

Designed for the inept armchair gardener, this title gently guides the reader month by month through the seasons, showing what are weeds and what are not (even if the weeds are pretty), how to dig holes, and how to squish unwanted insects. You too can create a tranquil haven in your own backyard that you’ll be too exhausted to appreciate.

The English tongue has never tasted more delicious than in the mouth of Stephen Fry: his chokingly brilliant sesquipedalian prose is like a shaft of sunlight through the drizzle of quotidian language. Now, with this bound monograph, we can all emit a similarly exquisite effulgence and enjoy the bright shaft of Stephen Fry locution in the privacy of our own smallest pavilion. May his shaft continue to pleasure us for many years to come. After all, what could be fluffier?

Understand and overcome your health anxiety with this practical, supportive and easy-to-read guide

Everyone worries about their health sometimes, but if you find yourself constantly overwhelmed, How to Understand and Deal with Health Anxiety is here to help. This friendly, accessible guide has all the information and advice you need to identify the source of your struggles. By learning the science behind health anxiety and understanding how it affects your mind and body, you’ll start to gain control of it. With helpful tips, practical steps and actionable advice, this book will help you work out the best ways to spend less time worrying about your health, and more time living in the present moment.

By the end of this book, you will:
– Have a better understanding of what health anxiety is, how it manifests, what causes it, and how to identify symptoms and triggers
– Be armed with physical and practical steps you can take to alleviate health anxiety, from breathing exercises and coping mechanisms to healthy lifestyle choices
– Know about the medical treatments and therapies available, and how and when to seek professional help or support

With the right knowledge and guidance, you can learn to understand and manage your health anxiety so that you can get back to feeling like you again.

Make everyday moments delightfully dazzling and appreciate simple pleasures with this uplifting guide to romanticizing your life

Sometimes the most magical things in life are the simplest: a good book, the soft pitter-patter of rain, the feel of grass beneath bare feet. If we could fill our lives with these small pleasures and find ways to make even the most mundane activities feel special and exciting, just think how lovely our worlds could be.

Learn how to elevate your everyday with this stunning guide to finding joy in everything you do. “Romanticizing your life” doesn’t mean living a flashy lifestyle or spending like a superstar; it simply means taking small steps to make even the most ordinary day feel extraordinary.

This book is filled with fun and easy ideas to add sparkle to your daily routine, including:

– Using your fanciest dinnerware to make all meals feel like special occasions
– Infusing your glass of water with delicious fruits and flavours
– Listening to mood-boosting music to transform daily tasks and chores

And much more! With the help of this book, you’ll soon be on the path to a life that’s filled with gratitude, self-kindness, and simple, magical moments.