This true story is of two boys in their later teens who have saved up like mad to buy seven-day Railrovers and go on their train spotting trip of a lifetime. Their Railrovers give unlimited travel for one designated week on the London Midland Region of British Rail. It is the first week of August 1965. Around 4,000 steam engines are still alive and kicking but there would be just over three years more before steam would be finally gone from British Rail. The week is planned in advance with rigorous research and military precision. the actual visit encapsulates eight days (seven by London Midland Region Railrover) of total frenetic excitement. Although the Railrover covered only the London Midland Region a necessary pilgrimage was made to Barry Docks. Rewinds and fast forwards to other trips are also made where appropriate. There are frequent scarcely credible brushes with shed masters and railway police. Visits to railway sheds are packed into every available daylight minute and early starts are ensured through planned overnight stays on railway platform waiting rooms etc. predictably a lot of the week did not go according to the planned timetable and the unforeseen consequences of this add to the overall enjoyment of the tale. Every single engine observed (on and off shed) is recorded in detail, together with the itineraries and in-depth commentaries on all the amusing incidents that took place. This work therefore provides a camera shot of one week in the declining years of steam on British Rail.

The Devon Coast to Coast is southern England's best developed cycle route. Traffic-free paths on former railway lines such as the Tarka Trail, Granite Way, Drake's Trail and Plym Valley Way make this route a unique experience. Whether you are young or old, fast or slow, the limited mileage and stunning countryside makes the Devon Coast to Coast an adventure suitable for all! This guidebook allows you to fully explore the route and its sights. Special features: All the maps you need, full north-south directions, detailed visitor information, things to see and to do, help for tricky logistics, Plymouth station route, extra routes incl. 99.9% tarmac route for narrow tyres, South West Coast Path and Dartmoor walks, GPS-tracks available and full facility listings (hotels, B&Bs, hostels, campsites, bike repair shops and bike rentals).

The "Illustrated History of Leicester's Suburbs" shows, through a fine selection of photographs from the Leicester Mercury and Leicestershire Record Office, how the countryside, farms and villages developed into the urban streets, residential areas, shopping districts and industrial estates that are so familiar today. In the course of the last 150 years, the outskirts of the city have been transformed, and they would have expanded in a way that would astonish Leicester residents of just a few generations ago.In this detailed and fully-illustrated account of the suburbs, Christine Jordan offers a concise history of each district, but she also features local anecdotes, myths and folklore, and she remembers remarkable, sometimes bizarre, episodes and notable individuals who played their part in the story. Her survey will be essential reading and reference for everyone who takes an interest in their neighbourhood and in the complex, surprising history of the city itself.Leicester evolved over the centuries, gradually at first, then swiftly during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the space of a few generations, small villages on the periphery were absorbed by the city's expansion. But Christine Jordan shows how these villages retained an identity, and their names have lived on in the urban areas that surround the centre. The origins and development of districts as diverse as Aylestone, Braunstone, Stoneygate, Evington, Spinney Hills and Clarendon Park are recalled in her account, as are the stories of the many other communities that make up the modern city.

A grandmother of four, dons a 25lb rucksack and treks the 700kms El Camino to Santiago de Compostela in a sponsored quest to protect Manx wildlife. Her diary and notes of the route have been compiled into an inspirational journal of adventures across the vineyards, sierras and cities of northern Spain. Her light-hearted informative approach brings to life all that is to be seen on El Camino and an excellent guide for anyone contemplating walking this ancient and well-trodden path.

Why did Telford need railways? Shropshire was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution in England. The railways provided a way of getting raw materials into the works and finished products to market, and the network grew steadily with the industries of the time; mining. brick and tile making, iron smelting and forging. Author David Clarke covers the history of the railway network and lines in Telford, from its early industrial beginnings to the present day. The book examines the importance of the coal and engineering industries to the region, and covers the rolling stock, signals, signal boxes and locomotive depots of the network. It details the variety of traffic that was generated in the area and traffic passing through. It also gives details never before published of the workings in and out of Hollinswood Yard.

Over 400 vintage postcards provide a sweeping historical view of the Washington Coast, from the mouth of the Columbia River to the San Juan Islands. In-depth stories of historical maritime Washington complement the images, for a journey up the coast and back. Scenes of shipwrecks, beach bathers, and surfmen tells the story of Washington State's coast through the ages. Aberdeen, Orcas Island, Olympia National Park, Ocean Shores, and Diamond Point are just some of the places prominently featured. Greetings from the Washington Coast will appeal to everyone interested in Washington history, maritime history, or popular culture of the past hundred years.

Experience the grandeur of the Texas Hill Country through stunning photography and narrative highlighting the natural beauty, scenic wonders, charming historic towns, and cultural heritage of Texas' most celebrated region. Cradled by Austin to the east and San Antonio to the south, the Texas Hill Country is famous for its undulating landscape, where spring-fed streams carve wooded canyons, rugged limestone peaks rise to more than 2,500 feet, and country roads wind through rolling grasslands and wildflower meadows. Captured beautifully in 153 color photos, view this beautiful region through the eyes of Texas-native photographer and author Eric W. Pohl. Join him on an intimate visual journey, leaving behind the freeways and big cities to reveal out-of-the-way places and explore the true heart of Texas.

Die derde deel van die reeks Imperiale somer word aan Johannesburg in die onmiddellike nasleep van die Anglo-Boereoorlog gewy, waarby alle dele van die destydse gemeenskap aandag geniet, met inbegrip van die swart stadsinwoners en die ontwikkeling van ’n eie stadskultuur onder hulle en die mynwerkers.

Anekdotes en klein kameebeskrywings maak van Babilon ’n interessante leeservaring.

'Rough Beauty' is a powerful and moving insight into the struggle of the community of Vidor, Texas, against poverty and its past links to the Ku Klux Klan.

There are now precious few places left on earth with which we do not feel familiar, if not from first hand experience then at least from the perspective of the armchair traveller - and fewer still where the camera has not yet prescribed our vision. An unrivalled collection of images of one of the last unsullied wildernesses in the world: the vast, uninhabited spaces of north-east Greenland. These beautiful, majestic and poetic landscapes exist in one of the harshest environments on earth. Roy traces the historical background with a brief outline of Greenland's early exploration. He documents the poignant traces of the Inuit tribe - their winter houses, summer tent circles and graves and enigmatic stone mosaics - and the structures left by the European trappers who once plied their dog-sledges in the lonely fjords. Iain Roy's first expedition to Greenland was in 1982, to the mountainous region of the south near Cape Farewell. He was a member of a small group of Arctic enthusiasts who shared a love of wild spaces and whose ambitions were fuelled by the accounts of earlier pioneers - early whaling and expedition journals and memoirs of scientists and trappers from the pre-war period. The group pooled their resources in order to reach remote corners of a faraway region that had become their common obsession. Roy himself has since made ten expeditions to the region.

As Vietnam moves towards urbanisation, the country's agricultural labour force faces losing its land to urban projects - and its way of life. The country's growing population is reducing the availability of farming land and rural families, no longer able to sustain themselves from the land, are turning to the creation of various products. These 'craft' villages have become the meeting place between rural and urban, agriculture and industry. During the last decade, along with rapid national economic development many craft villages have increased production up to five fold through small-scale industrial development. However, the consequence of this shift is increased waste and environmental pollution with the resources of the landscape becoming overused. Tessa Bunney spent two six month periods in Vietnam and visited many of these villages. The traditional village house is typically single storey and consists of three rooms. The large central room is a multi-purpose living, sleeping and working area and it is in this room where many of Tessa's images are taken, the mix of work and everyday objects fascinating her visually. Interspersed with images from daily life in the rice fields and in the villages, these photographs depict 'working from home' in an unromanticized sense, where their subjects, mostly women, balance childcare with the routine work necessary for survival.

Must 22 is a series of inspirational travel books which combine accurate information on key locations in individual countries and outstanding photography. The books are carefully packaged by awarded designers and written by a team of experienced travel writers. The Must 22 series is designed to inspire the armchair traveller and to provide a reliable source of information for the visitor.This edition reveals twenty-two places you just can't miss when you come to Iceland. The island is sparsely populated and the enormity of nature dominates it wherever you look - in contrast to the warmth of the people who make themselves known at every opportunity, parading the cultural heritage of the 1,200 years that the island has been populated. Even once you've seen these 22 places, you're still far from uncovering all of Iceland's secrets. But you will have come a little closer to understanding why this enigmatic rock in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is one of the most peculiar, yet more charming places in the world.

What do the wreck of the Liberty ship James Longstreet, Provincetown dune shacks, a great white shark, and surfers at Wellfleet's Lecount Hollow have in common? They're all captured from altitudes of up to 400 feet in photographs by Cape Cod native Christopher Seufert. More than 100 images reveal the cape's ocean currents, tide pools, geological forms, and orderly town grids from never-before-seen angles and perspectives. They also give equal exposure to both hidden corners and well-traveled landmarks of every town on the cape, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The author's creative use of the latest drone technology will be a revelation for even the most seasoned Cape Codder.

Featuring a series of images, this title takes you on a tour of South-East England. It includes photographs of the South Downs, the Weald of Kent, the Thames and its estuary, and the White Cliffs of Dover, as well as castles, stately homes and gardens.

The stunning photographs and evocative text in this volume capture the essence of Tangier life from the 1920s to the present day. Paul and Jane Bowles, the American painter Marguerite McBay, Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, playwright Tennessee Williams, royal photographer Cecil Beaton, and the painters Claudio Bravo and Patrick Procktor are some of the legendary residents of this Moroccan port city portrayed in these reminiscences and candid portraits. Personal family photographs depict the extravagant parties hosted and attended by the author and her circle. The evolution of design and style in some of the great houses as they changed ownership is documented, demonstrating how the composition of life in this archetypal city unfolded throughout the 20th century.

To journey through South Africa is to step into a world where beauty is woven into every horizon. This is a country whose landscapes defy description: from the golden savannahs of the Highveld and the emerald vineyards of the Cape to the untamed wilds of Kruger and the dramatic meeting of two oceans at the continent’s edge. South Africa’s uniqueness lies not only in its breathtaking scenery, but in the vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that infuse every encounter with meaning. Here, luxury is found in the stillness of dawn as elephants roam free, in the exquisite comfort of lodges designed to honour the land, and in the knowledge that each experience is anchored in a deep respect for nature and community. The country’s commitment to conservation and sustainability is a way of life – one that invites visitors to become stewards of its wild beauty. To explore South Africa is to be changed by it: to witness a place where grandeur and spirituality coexist, where adventure and serenity are never far apart, and where every moment is a celebration of life’s richness and possibility.
 
The warmth and resilience of South Africa’s people and their deep connection to the land creates encounters that resonate long after departure. Ubuntu, the unique philosophy that ‘we are because of others,’ shapes not only human relationships, but also the approach to conservation and sustainable tourism that defines the country’s finest establishments.
 
The lodges, hotels, and retreats featured in ‘South Africa’s Best’ represent more than luxury accommodation; they all embody a commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment by demonstrating how exceptional hospitality can coexist with conservation efforts. Here, solar-powered suites overlook pristine wilderness, organic gardens supply world-class kitchens, and tourism revenue directly supports local communities and wildlife protection initiatives. These properties are bastions of hope, demonstrating that luxury and purpose can flourish together, and that travel can be a force for good.
 
This edition has been enriched through our collaboration with Ardmore, South Africa’s celebrated design studio, whose distinctive ceramics, textiles, and homeware are inspired by the country’s flora, fauna, and folklore. Ardmore reflects a commitment to artistic excellence and social upliftment, embodying the philosophy of Ubuntu. Their work has transformed local talent into internationally recognised artistry while supporting conservation efforts.
 
Our partnership with Steadfast Africa further enhances this collection. As a boutique luxury travel company, Steadfast Africa curates bespoke journeys within South Africa that showcase the country’s most exceptional destinations. Their expertise ensures seamless access to the world-class lodges, exclusive reserves, and immersive cultural experiences featured in this edition. Steadfast Africa ensures that travellers are able to become active participants in preserving the country’s natural heritage and supporting the communities that call these landscapes home.
 
Whether tracking rhino on foot with expert guides, dining on farm-to-table cuisine under the stars, or participating in meaningful cultural exchanges, each featured destination invites guests to engage deeply and mindfully with both nature and heritage. What sets these luxury destinations apart is their shared ethos: a dedication to preserving the country’s wild beauty and uplifting its people, ensuring that South Africa’s wonders will endure for generations to come.
 
‘South Africa’s Best’ gives readers the opportunity to embark on a journey where every page is infused with purpose, gratitude, and the promise of lasting change. In compiling this edition, our hope is to unite travellers who share a love for this remarkable country and a desire to make a meaningful impact. This book is both a tribute and a call to action: to honour and protect the land, people, and wildlife that make South Africa truly extraordinary.

James Morris challenges the tourist cliches and looks at the impact of human presence and the layers history in the landscape. He reflects upon issues of identity, exploitation and regeneration; it is a land of beauty and of hardship where - in this post industrial, post rural economy - Tesco and tourism are now the great employers. These are the contrasting realities of the Welsh landscape - that seen by the many visitors and that experienced by most inhabitants. Morris moves between tourist hot spots and the terraces and back streets where the majority of people live. The latter are often hard bitten unpretty places, often built for reasons that no longer exist, no longer the world's largest producer of iron, coal, copper or slate, these are places that have lost their historic and heroic status, sometimes even their raison d'etre. Regeneration is taking place, but it is taking its time. By contrast the tourist landscape is one of pleasure seeking and escape - this is the Wales that visitors are sold and want to see. But in a small land this selling of culture for the tourist pound has complex consequences that build on the complexities of a relationship that has shaped so much of the landscape.

Astounding aerial photographs revealing an immense and unsuspected wealth of color hidden behind Ireland's green facade. Yellow islands of gorse, the turquoise edges of the western coast, the algae borders of the winter lakes varying in color from green to orange, deserted islands overgrown with rust brown ferns and deserts of black peat bogs.