Here's the paradox: your body becomes steadily more troublesome just at that point when the world which you are soon to leave becomes sweeter more poignant more beautiful more desirable... The ponds of Hampstead Heath are small oases; fragments of wild nature nestled in the heart of north-west London. For the best part of his life Al Alvarez
- poet critic novelist rock-climber & poker player
- has swum in them almost daily. An athlete in his youth Alvarez now in his eighties chronicles what it is to grow old with humour & fierce honesty
- from his relentlessly nagging ankle which makes daily life a struggle to infuriating bureaucratic battles with the council to keep his disabled person's Blue Badge the devastating effects of a stroke & the salvation he finds in the three Ss
- Swimming Sex & Sleep. As Alvarez swims in the ponds he considers how it feels when you begin to miss that person you used to be
- to miss yourself. Swimming is his own private form of protest against the onslaught of time; proof to others & himself that he's not yet beaten. By turns funny poetic & indignant Pondlife is a meditation on love the importance of life's small pleasures & above all a lesson in not going gently in to that good night.




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One of Usborne's most enduring & well-known series has been given an exciting new look. Each guide has been completely updated & has a striking new cover. It makes perfect companions for enthusiasts keen to discover the many fascinating aspects of the natural world with full-colour illustrations of around 100-200 different species per title that have been reproduced from the original artwork using the latest technology. It provides ideal field guides for both children & adults & incredible value for your money. ...

Dirty Bertie
- the boy with nose-pickingly disgusting habits
- is back for another helping of comic chaos! Join Bertie as he

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Pontypridd Through Time portrays the history of this iconic market town that sits at the gateway to three historic valleys of the South Wales coalfield. It also illustrates some of the changes that have contributed across centuries to the everyday life of a place that transformed from pastoral drovers river-crossing into a town that embodied a thriving conduit to capitalist mineral prospecting on a prodigious scale. A hamlet transformed from its rural obscurity in the eighteenth century to ride the wild mechanical horses of the industrial fuel revolution to become a bustling market town. A town encapsulating all the excesses of the saga of the South Wales coal & railway bonanza. It survives into the twenty-first century
- to outlast the pits that gave it life & reared it. Pontypridd today
- fighting back to rise again.

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Calling all pony lovers
- this is the perfect series for you. It offers everything you wanted to know about ponies from getting
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Emily is hosting a pony-themed sleepover this time around & the best part is that a real live pony will be there. Ms. Sullivan is bringing over her pony Ladybug so the girls can learn to ride & take care of her. Emily is so excited! She loves horses & knows lots about them from all the horse books shes read. But her friends dont seem to be taking things seriously & Em is getting a bit bossy about their preparations for the party. When the pony finally arrives it turns out its Em who has the most trouble riding her
- which isnt fair because she has all the experience! But practice makes perfect as the Pyjama Gang find out!
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When the local Riding for the Disabled Association plans a fundraising event everyone at Laurel Farm stables is keen to get involved
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This title is intended for anyone who dreams of having their very own pony! Learn about different breeds of ponies & horses & create your own stick-it stories with the 60 reusable easy-to-peel stickers. The Ultimate Pony Sticker Book" is a whinnying combination of imagination & hands-on fun!" ...

This is an information-packed novelty title for the budding pony-lover. Written by stable hands Rosie & Phillip enthusiastic to pass on their hard-won knowledge & top riding tips this is a perfect first title for any child who has a passion for ponies. Learn all about horses
- how their bodies work grooming feeding how to recognise different breeds history jobs & much much more. With novelties including a galloping-gait slider a lift the flap multi-layered saddle mini-rosette stickers & a gilded certificate with an embossed rosette this really will be a young pony-lover's most treasured book.
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How can you tell if your pony is happy? Why shouldnt you stare at your pony? & how can a ponys ears reveal what he is thinking? Ponytalk" is a brilliant book for anyone who has ever wondered what makes ponies tick. It is packed with expert advice on how to communicate & have fun with your pony & make sure that he feels safe & contented. The perfect gift for everyone who loves ponies." ...