The Great Western Beach is Emma Smiths wonderfully atmospheric memoir of a 1920s childhood in Newquay Cornwall. She recalls the rocks the sea the beaches the picnics the teas & pasties the bracing walks the tennis tournaments & bathing parties the curious residents & fascinating holiday-makers
- relishing every glorious salty detail. But above all this is a portrait of a family from the astonishingly clear-eyed perspective of a nine-year-old girl: her furious frustrated father perpetually on his way to becoming a world famous artist but suffering the indignity of being a lowly bank clerk; her beautiful unperceptive mother made for better things perhaps but at least with three fiances killed in the Great War married with children at last; the twins fearless defiant Pam & sickly bewildered Jim for whom life is always an uphill climb & baby Harvey brought on the same winds of change that mean that life with all its complication & wonder cannot stay still & the Cornish playground of Emmas childhood will one day be lost forever.
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The GWRs North Wales tentacles extended from Wrexham to Bala Junction & thence to Blaenau Ffestiniog & via the Cambrian to Barmouth. All these lines are explored here including the sections that today are preserved by no fewer than three very different tourist railways. This brand new Past & Present Companion explores the Great Western Railways historic importance in the north of Wales; both standard gauge & narrow gauge feature within these pages. The past & present comparative treatment is a proven formula for success
- the fact that over 50 titles have been published in the main series speaks volumes literally! In this volume pictures from the real age of steam- steam in years before 1968 & the early diesel years are contrasted with the same locations in recent years. Many lines have long since closed evoking many memories for those young enough to remember while the major preserved railways The Llangollen Railway The Bala Lake Railway & the Fairbourne Railway provide fascinating comparisons with their heritage past
- & of course provide young & old alike with the chance to relive the steam age. Locations covered include Wrexham Blaenau Ffestiniog Barmouth Dolgellau Bala & stations halts junctions & lineside views from across the area.

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The 30 ' King' class 4-6-0s were the GWR's most prestigious express passenger engines. When introduced in 1927 they were the most powerful steam locomotives in Britain. The most famous was No. 6000 King George V which visited the USA for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad centenary. It was preserved on withdrawal in 1962 & after steam had finished on British Railways it 'broke the ban' when it returned to main-line operation setting the scene for today's numerous steam specials. Three ' Kings' survive & are always a huge draw for enthusiasts whenever they appear on the main line on heritage railways or exhibition display. ...

With the final elimination of the broad gauge in the early 1890s the Great Western Railway for the first time possessed a fleet of locomotives that was exclusively standard gauge. Under the auspices of George Armstrong William Dean & George Jackson Churchward a number of classic locomotive designs emerged from both Wolverhampton & Swindon works during the final decades of the 19th century. These included the Dean Goods 0-6-0s the Star class 4-6-0s the City class 4-4-0s & the County class 4-4-0s. Peter Darke draws upon the collection of a photographer who was active during the years from 1907 until the early 1960s; he travelled widely over the GWR network during the last years of the company prior to the Grouping in 1923 recording primarily the locomotives & trains that were then in service. The volume

Includes:: a historical overview of the GWR during the Edwardian period coupled with a variety of photographs & detailed captions. He also outlines a number of other pre-Grouping companies
- such as the Midland & South Western Joint
- that were to become part of the GWR in 1923and goes on to discuss the locomotives that the GWR inherited from these companies at the Grouping.



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A new & comprehensive history of one of our best-loved railway companies. Gods Wonderful Railway the astonishing engineering feat of Isambard Kingdom Brunels main line from Paddington to Penzance with its stupendous bridge over the River Tamar endless Box Tunnel & exhilarating stretch alongside the sea at Dawlish Warren has always been beloved of anyone who likes trains. Andrew Rodens comprehensive new history of this remarkable railway company whose well-engineered lines survive not only into the privatised era of First Great Western but also in numerous lovingly restored steam railways like the Dart Valley tells the story of nothing less than the opening-up of the isolated south-west of England to the trade & tourism of the modern age. It has left us with soaring termini like Paddington & Bristol Temple Meads as well as glorious railway institutions like the Night Riviera overnight sleeper to Cornwall that endure to this day (not least thanks to the authors own campaigning!). While the GWRs green locomotives & chocolate & cream carriages may have given way to violet anyone who wants to return to the golden age of the railways will find the companys history an enthralling journey. ...

More than 500 of the worlds finest whiskies distilled into one user-friendly pocket guide. Great Whiskies" is the ideal drinking companion for any whisky lover: it is generous knowledgeable & willing to go anywhere! Reflecting the diversity of the whisky world this brings you over 500 varieties from over 22 nations
- from classic whisky-making regions such as Scotland to lesser-known distilleries in China & Japan. Expert tasting notes & full-colour photographs reveal the secrets that give each whisky its character & cherry-picks the best to try. Swot up on key facts & histories of need-to-know distilleries plus get tips & advice on your own whisky trails of key whisky regions. This is a guide that covers every style: single malt blended grain bourbon rye & more. & in a handy pocket-sized format this makes a perfect whisky-lovers gift."
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What better time than the run up to Christmas to read a book on wine that exposes the cheating that goes on in the whole industry in order to learn more about wine. Malcolm Gluck made drinking wine accessible with Superplonk" his yearly review of wines from 1995. He is disturbed that over 15 years on & many popular TV programmes British consumers still think wine is more mysterious than beer & has to cost a fortune. Here he will teach the reader all the tricks learned in 15 years of writing about wine. People serve their friends Spanish bubbly & feel guilty even though it is likely to be a much better product than many French champagnes. In this book Malcolm rips the lid off all the tricks used by the wine world. It is based on his twenty five years of experience as a wine writer. At last wine has found its Jeremy Clarkson!" ...

For the two men in this novel war was supposed to be a testing ground. But it proved to be an ordeal of a different kind. Spanning 70 years of Australian life from Sydneys Cross to the backwaters of the Hawkesbury River this is a novel of lost innocence & witness. ...

Using over 200 archive images many previously unpublished Colin Tooke has compiled a vivid collection that records this hugely important aspect of Yarmouth life & industry. Many of the faces that worked in the industry over the years will be here & the experiences & hardships of working in such a demanding environment are also brought to life in this evocative volume. ...

This title covers holistic Yoga holidays. It also features beautiful locations acclaimed yoga masters & restorative retreats. Looking for a tranquil vacation that leaves you relaxed restored & uplifted? Then try a yoga retreat. Even if enlightenment is not your aim youll definitely achieve a luminous glow. Yogis understand the positive influence of natural surroundings & feng shui on the body mind & soul while the healthy organic food (almost always vegetarian) served at most retreats leaves you feeling lighter & purified. Whether you go by yourself with a friend or partner or even in a group you will always find friendly company. Angelika Taschen has travelled the world to select the most exquisite & inspirational yoga retreats: choose from an exotic luxury hotel in Bhutan a spiritual Ashram in India a farmhouse in Tuscany or a beach resort in Mexico. But be warned yoga can easily become a way of life. You might find yourself planning your days & even holidays around yoga practice. Highlights include the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh the birthplace of yoga one of the holy cities of the Ganges & a renowned pilgrimage site where the Beatles attended the Maharishis ashram in 1968; Yogamagic an eco-retreat in Goa on the gentle Indian Ocean. Italy is not just a destination for the cultural & culinary traveller but also for the dedicated yogi: Il Convento in Tuscany & Santa Maria del Sole in Puglia strike a balance between yoga & the sensual Italian lifestyle. The Esalen Institute in Big Sur is a legendary New Age destination offering yoga & much more with over 500 spiritual & physical workshops; while Amansalas Bikini Boot Camp in Tulum Mexico combines beach life with yoga classes. Finally Jungle Bay Resort & Spa on the Caribbean Island of Dominica offers wild rainforest surroundings with yoga teachers from all over the world. ...