Walking makes a lot of sense in London, whether for pleasure, exercise or simply to get from A to B. Although the city has a comprehensive public transport system, it's also one of the world's most expensive and very crowded, with the result that walking is often the quickest and most enjoyable way to get around - at least in the centre - and it's also free and healthy! Furthermore, London's reputation for rain is largely unfounded - it actually enjoys lower annual rainfall than New York, Rome and Sydney (but take your brolly just in case!) - and it's rarely too hot or cold to make walking uncomfortable. London has a somewhat haphazard street pattern (to put it mildly), the result of having grown organically over 2,000 years, rather than being planned logically like some modern cities. As a result many attractions are off the beaten track, away from the major thoroughfares and public transport hubs. This favours walking as the best way to explore them, as does the fact that London is a visually interesting city with a wealth of stimulating sights between destinations; you don't see a lot from the seat of a cab or bus and nothing at all when cocooned in a tube train! The starting point for this book was Samuel Johnson's advice to his friend Boswell in the 18th century, on the occasion of the latter's arrival in London: "survey its innumerable little lanes and courts." By extension, wander off the beaten tourist track and you'll find a world of fascinating sights, as you would expect in a city as large and old as London. My aim was to compile a list of these hidden attractions and construct walks around them - which resulted in the 25 walks contained in this book. Most walks can be done in half a day or less, depending, of course, on how fast you walk and how long you spend at the highlighted sights and diversions, particularly the pubs and restaurants. The walks don't always follow the most logical route, but that's deliberate and part of the enjoyment; the aim is to maximise the pleasure and provide a flavour of the area, rather than simply get from the start to finish as quickly as possible. Writing (and updating!) this book has been a fascinating, educational and enjoyable journey, which has had the added bonus of returning me to the weight I was when I got married (over 20 years ago). I hope you find the walks as engaging, rewarding and stomach flattening as I have.

London is a city with a cornucopia of secret places, being ancient, vast and in a constant state of flux. Newcomers have, of course, a wealth of world-renowned attractions to keep them occupied for a month of Sundays, which are more than adequately covered in a plethora of standard guide books. What Secret London does is take you off the beaten path to seek out the more unusual places and sidestep the chaos and queues of London's tourist-clogged attractions and visit its quirkier, more mysterious side. Featured places includes some of the city's loveliest buildings, secret gardens, bizarre museums, 'lost' graveyards, medieval pubs, cutting-edge art and design, and much more.

London is one of the world's most exciting cities, but it's also one of the noisiest; a bustling, chaotic, frenetic, over-crowded, manic metropolis of over 8 million people, where it can be difficult to find somewhere to grab a little peace and quiet. Nevertheless, if you know where to look London has a wealth of peaceful places - places to relax, chill out, contemplate, meditate, sit, reflect, browse, read, chat, nap, walk, think, study or even work (if you must) - where the city's volume is muted or even switched off completely. Peaceful Places contains over 200 of the author's and his friends', colleagues' and acquaintances' favourite locations throughout the city, from restful gardens and serene churches to silent libraries and inspiring galleries; intimate hotels to blissful spas and cosy caf s; smart shops and atmospheric markets to appealing restaurants and charming tea rooms; quiet museums and sweeping parks to relaxing walks and friendly pubs - and much more. Moreover, these places haven't just been selected for their quietude but also for their excellence: every entry has something special to offer, be it a warm welcome, excellent food/drink, fascinating history, attractive ambience, glorious scenery or tempting goods for sale. Peace is a relative term, however, and not all places are whisper-quiet all the time; even churches have bell-ringing and organ practice, and many parks host noisy school parties and sports events. You can, of course, expect bookshops, libraries, galleries, museums and spas (and churches and parks!) to be tranquil most of the time, but even caf s, restaurants, pubs and bars can be surprisingly quiet - although you may need to time your visit a little more carefully. With regard to the latter, we have chosen venues with gardens, terraces, panoramic views and cosy corners - places where you can find a bit of personal space and grab some 'me' time along with your refreshments. So whether you're seeking a place to recharge your batteries, rest your head, revive your spirits, restock your larder or refuel your body; somewhere to inspire, soothe or uplift your mood; or you just wish to discover a part of London that's a few steps further off the beaten track, Peaceful Places will steer you in the right direction.

Devon is many people's idea of the ideal country place to live. But the county is far more than a country idyll set in an equitable climate. Whatever you like to do outdoors you'll find all you need in here. Some counties are pleased to boast one National Park, but Devon contains two: all of Dartmoor and a significant third of Exmoor. Unique in England, the county also boasts two separate and distinct coastlines, with some of the best beaches in the southwest. You can tramp across wild moorland and walk along the South West Coast Path; or east from Exmouth on the south coast and explore the beginning of the geological treasure house, the Jurassic Coast. Devon also has some of Britain's most-loved seaside resorts, historic towns and cities; picturesque villages set in gentle hedged landscapes crossed by narrow winding roads; and some of the best sailing and boating centres in the southwest. Truly, it has something for everybody. The author has been visiting and enjoying Devon for well over 40 years and researching this book enabled him to renew acquaintances with old friends and to discover new places that he looks forward to visiting again. Most of his favourite locations were largely unchanged. Devon has a timelessness that's reassuring and comforting, especially if you live in a part of the country that's rapidly changing. Devon Sketchbook will guide you to a plethora of favourite places along the north and south coasts of the county, plus some in the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. It will tell you how to get there, where you can park and what to look out for. It's intended to inform, entertain and, if you're a visitor, give you something to enjoy when you're back home. With more than 180 of the author's line and watercolour illustrations, 66 hand drawn maps and in colour throughout, Devon Sketchbook is a unique guidebook and souvenir of this remarkable county. Beautifully bound in hardback, it also makes the perfect gift.

Yorkshire Sketchbook is a unique guide to some of the most popular places in the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the City of York - three of the UK's best-loved tourist destinations. There's suggested road trips taking in all the featured places and quirky facts about flat caps, Yorkshire pudding, 'On Ilkley Moor Baht'at' and more! It's easy to scoff when you hear that 'Yorkshire has everything', especially when said by a Tyke (Yorkshire person) but the more I explore this vibrant and diverse county the more I'm convinced that it's true. The county is largest in the UK, which helps if you have to fit everything in, but there's still space to spare for the wild areas where you can walk all day and never meet anybody else. Yorkshire abounds in stunning vistas across rolling fields, hills and beaches. There's breathtaking rivers, cliffs, dales and moorland to explore. It boasts five national museums, three national parks, three UNESCO sites, a stunning coastline and seven vibrant cities. With Worldclass attractions, historic houses and castles, picturesque villages, fine restaurants, vibrant culture, abundant shopping, cricket, fish and chips and real ale there's truly something for everyone. The Yorkshire folk I met travelling round were unfailingly friendly, helpful and funny. I never had any problem getting them to talk. Shutting them up was another matter. A book of this size couldn't possible cover all of the county so it concentrates on the two national parks - the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. Plus the city of York. Nobody should ever tour North Yorkshire without going to York. The places I've chosen to illustrate are my own favourites, some were new to me but the majority I've been to before. None of them were a disappointment and I'll go back to all of them again at the drop of a flat cap. Most are popular tourist destinations so you'll probably find some of your own favourites amongst them. This book will tell you how you can drive to each place, where you can park, some relevant history and what to look out for. I also hope that it not only informs, but also entertains and, if you're a visitor, gives you something to enjoy when you're back home. What it can't do is provide the unexpected surprise that will stay with you forever. You have to experience those for yourself. I've enjoyed many of them on my travels throughout this remarkable county. I do hope you will too.

No city in the world has such a rich diversity of beautiful green spaces as London - which cover almost 40 per cent of Greater London - providing a wealth of opportunities to exercise and commune with nature year round. The capital's green bounty includes magnificent royal parks, historic garden cemeteries, majestic ancient forests, breath-taking formal country parks, expansive commons, elegant squares and enchanting 'secret' gardens, many known only to insiders and locals. London's living network of parks and gardens, commons and woodlands, canals, rivers and reservoirs, is vital to the health and well-being of Londoners (and visitors!) and makes an invaluable contribution to the quality, character and economy of the capital. It also provides food and refuge for the city's flora and fauna, which - despite living alongside some 8.25 million people - is extraordinary in its abundance, variety and scope. So, whether you're a nature lover, amateur horticulturist or an enthusiastic walker, or all three - or just seeking a bit of peace and quiet away from the stresses of life - you'll find our 20 green walks immensely rewarding. All you need is a stout pair of shoes, a sense of adventure - and this book. We hope you find them as enjoyable and rewarding as we did.

A unique celebration of one of the world' great cities, beautifully bound and printed in colour. The perfect guide, gift or souvenir for visitors - or an inspiration to anyone planning a trip to London. Illustrated and written by Jim Watson, a celebrated artist and writer with a number of award-winning books to his name. The latest title in the 'Sketchbook' series (following the Lake District and Cotswolds). London is one of the most popular cities in the world, attracting over 15 million visitors a year.

A celebration of one of England's most alluring and picturesque regions, the Lake District Sketchbook is packed with over 200 beautiful line and watercolour illustrations of some of the author's favourite places in the magnificent English lakeland. The illustrations are accompanied by historical footnotes, quirky facts, some easy walks, identification of mountain scenes, a gazetteer and, most importantly, where to park and get a cup of tea! The Lake District is Britain's premier tourist region, attracting visitors from throughout the world, which ensures a huge market for the Lake District Sketchbook, which is both a useful guidebook and ideal souvenir. Jim Watson is an experienced illustrator and writer with three best-selling, award-winning books on the English Lake District to his credit: Lakeland Villages, Lakeland Towns and Lakeland Panoramas. He has also written and illustrated the definitive guide to two long-distance walks across Lakeland: The Cumbria Way and The Allerdale Ramble. A unique book, in handy A5 format, beautifully bound and printed in colour throughout, the Lake District Sketchbook, along with the Cotswolds Sketchbook, are the first titles in a new series celebrating the most beautiful regions of Britain. Casebound and printed in colour.

The works of most contemporary Christian authors will not compare with this brief account of Bible failures and successfulness that span human history from Genesis through Revelation. Copiously quoting only the Authorized King James Version, the author contends that sin is the culprit of all of man's problems and that its product, failure, is a ministry for believers in Christ as well as non-believers. This bare-bones searching of the Sacred Text should appeal to all lovers of God's Word, of which the writer argues there are few. He believes that God uses sin and failure to guide all humans toward a crossroads decision that will determine their ultimate destiny: eternity with Christ or eternity in hell without Him. The heart of this treatise is a countdown of whom the author perceives as the 25 greatest Bible failures. Others are briefly documented who realized that their only hope of salvation was looking forward to the cross of Christ or back to it. The author closes with a brief personal testimony and his loose connection with Columbia shuttle commander Rick Husband.

There have been many predictions for the Rapture of the church. The author is not the first to suggest that it will occur on a 3,500-year old Jewish feast in Leviticus 23 called "Trumpets." He offers no specific calendar day or hour for the Rapture. After nearly 30 years of study and careful contextual cross referencing of the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible it is his conclusion that its actual day and hour is known exclusively by the Father. Its possible calendar day, however (Rosh Hashanah) is an annual event. The author has concluded that the Rapture is possible, even probable, on a future feast of Trumpets. His hope is that this treatise will serve as a warning for a church that is drifting ever further into apostasy.

Award-winning filmmaker and writer Jim Watson draws on his years of experience exploring Catalina Island and its history to bring you true tales of the strange and bizarre side of the island. Ghosts, UFOs, pirates, criptids (including Bigfoot ), buried treasure and strange portals: Catalina has them all and more

Wood carvers understand the feeling of satisfaction, ease and higher quality of carving that comes when using a well sharpened, honed and polished tool. In a process handed down from his grandfather, Jim Watson explains and illustrates sharpening techniques for numerous woodcarving tools and knives of various sizes and shapes including pocket knives and kitchen knives. The necessary materials for proper sharpening are listed and discussed with methods for reconditioning and making your own new knives and tools as well as information on resurfacing the sharpening stones. By following Jim's instructions and adding a little practice and patience, everyone will be able to achieve and maintain a superior edge, as keen as the piece of steel will allow.

Many people are familiar with London's River Thames, but the city has much more to offer when it comes to waterways, including a wealth of canals, minor rivers (most are tributaries of the Thames), lakes and reservoirs that offer tranquil and beautiful walks. Many waterways have dedicated walking and cycling paths alongside them, notably the Thames Path which follows the entire course of the river, and London's canals, where the former towpaths along which horses towed the canal boats are now reserved for walkers and cyclists. London's minor rivers - secret waterways - are not always so easy to follow, as they wend their way along streets, through parks and even underground, but are a wonderful way to get off the beaten track and commune with nature. Most walks are between 3 and 7 miles in length, with the average around 41/2 miles. However, it's best to allow a half day for the shorter walks and as much as a full day for the longer walks - particularly if you plan to partake of the many excellent pubs, restaurants and caf s along the routes (for your author, a good lunch is a prerequisite of a good walk) - not to mention the many diversions along the way, such as museums, galleries and churches. Our aim was to take the 'scenic route', visiting as many interesting landmarks as possible, rather than simply getting from A to B. Writing London's Waterside Walks has been a fascinating, edifying and enjoyable adventure. We hope that you enjoy these walks as much as we did; all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes, a sense of adventure - and this book!