Letter S on The A to Z April Challenge 2014

Today is letter S on the A to Z April blogging challenge. My book today is “Silk, Spice and Furry Dice” from Andy N Robinson. Genre: Travel

Silk Spice and Furry Dice
Overlanding in Central Asia with a film crew

by Andy N Robinson

Andy N Robinson has spent the last decade taking groups on tour all over the world, working for many of the big names in the adventure travel industry. On this occasion he dragged himself and his well-travelled furry dice out of retirement for ‘one last trip’.
He often wondered what on earth he was thinking.
Silk Spice and Furry Dice is an amusing and unique account of the challenges faced when filming a documentary abroad and supporting a Japanese film crew on an epic journey along the Silk Road from Istanbul to Beijing. People from different countries and cultures collided for a one off project and proceeded to make life as difficult as possible for themselves.
With refreshing honesty Andy recounts life on the road, looking at not only his own wayward actions, but the inner workings of the film crew, the relationships simultaneously forming and crumbling around him as well as painting a painting a picture of the magical world that is Central Asia.
As Andy soon found out there is a lot more to making a documentary than meets the eye and far more to travelling overland than seeing the sights…

Silk, Spice and Furry Dice will be published both in print and eBook by Black Frog Publishing on the 30th August 2014

Andy and his partner Kirsty were guest authors here on the blog back in November click on the link to find out more about them and travelling http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2RV

Andy is also the co-author of ‘It’s NOT a Holiday! The A-Z Guide to Group Travel’, ‘Go Hard or Go Home: The Little Book of Overlanding’ and ‘Overlanding: How, What, Where and Who With…?’

All books are available to buy via Amazon and all major eRetailers
You can also order limited signed paperback copies of all books at www.blackfrogpublishing.com and browse the travel resources as well.
You can follow Andy @FlagonOfCider and @TheFrogFather as well as on Facebook at Black Frog Publishing.

I met Andy and Kirsty here on the A to Z tour last year and we have become firm blogging friends, I have read and reviewed two of their books and recommend them to anyone.
Here are some randomly selected links to other bloggers who are also blogging their way through April. Please find the time to visit them as well.

http://melissajanda.wordpress.com/

http://www.kimgraff.com/blog/

http://eliseabram.com/

http://www.oliviawaite.com/blog/

http://theegetawaygal.com/

During the challenge we are asking people to leave as many comments on blogs as possible, all supportive comments are much appreciated thank you.

Rosie’s Good Read Collections: Travel

Welcome to “Rosie’s Good read Collections”, I’ve put together the books I’ve read into subject headings that I think the books belong to, for you to browse.

An essential guide for anyone travelling on a group tour. Fun and informative, it will help you understand more about what group tours involve – different types available, what happens on tour and offers advice to help you make the most of your time away from home.  It introduces 20 stereotypical characters you will find on your tour and highlights the A-Z of group travel through real stories and humorous anecdotes from the authors’ experience on the road as tour leaders. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-1JY

Next, two books by Swarupa N Ovalekar.

Discovering Mexico is Swarupa’s chronicle which began with her new life in the Mexican city of Guadalajara and her wide exploration of the country she lived in for nine months in 2007-08. Cosmopolitan Mexico City, world-class beach resorts, charming mountain resorts, beautiful colonial cities, amazing archaeological zones, mesmerizing Maya ruins, colourful indigenous markets…there is never a dull moment for her as she explores each place with immense gusto.

Available direct from the author, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2DP

Mexico: The Country, Its History & The Maya World is a comprehensive guide to the diverse aspects of Mexico, including its indigenous people, its long and colourful history and the mysterious Maya civilization. This excellently researched eBook offers a wide glimpse into the rich and varied cultural heritage of contemporary Mexico, detailing the country’s history, from the pre-Colombian period to modern times, and providing deep knowledge of the glorious Maya culture, including the much-famous end of their calendar. With over 75 coloured photographs, and black and white political and geographical sketch maps of Mexico, this insightful eBook will appeal to every person interested in learning about Mexico – aficionados, travellers and scholars.

Available direct from the author, My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2Dy

SIHPROMATUM (Sip-row-may-tum) is a memoir series of one family’s four-year backpacking adventure around the world. The first instalment, I Grew my Boobs in China, is the beginning of an intensely fascinating, sobering, and emotional memoir of Savannah’s introspective and innovative family adventure.

In 2005, 14-year-old Savannah Grace’s world is shattered when her mother unexpectedly announces that she and her family (mother, 45; brother, 25; sister, 17) would soon embark on an incredible, open-ended journey. When everything from her pets to the house she lived in is either sold, given away or put in storage, this naïve teenage girl runs headlong into the reality and hardships of a life on the road.
Built around a startling backdrop of over eighty countries (I Grew my Boobs in China relates the family’s adventures in China and Mongolia), this is a tale of feminine maturation – of Savannah’s metamorphosis from ingénue to woman-of-the-world. Nibbling roasted duck tongues in China and being stranded in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert are just two experiences that contribute to Savannah’s exploration of new cultures and to the process of adapting to the world around her. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com My Review: http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-277

Good Deeds Week December 1st – 7th

I now head into towards my 8th month of my year long challenge to complete at least one good deed a day for a year. I started back in the middle of April when I began reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Her book inspired my own challenge. If you are looking for a Christmas gift for someone who sets themselves up with New Year’s resolutions then this may be ideal. Find a copy here on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

December 1st – It’s been a busy blogging morning. My weekly Good Deeds update, plus the launch of a new competition to win an e-copy of “Family Ties” by E. L Lindley. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-30T and the launch of my “Rosie’s Good Read Collections” http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-37B where I am sharing my joy of books with you the reader.

December 2nd – Easy Good Deed today ticked off, my morning of helping in school. Spent an enjoyable afternoon entering book giveaway competitions, signing up to authors facebook and twitter pages. I’m always ready to receive more books! My 24 Sleeps ‘Till Xmas tour is underway with a Christmas book theme.

December 3rd – I’ve done a spot more Christmas shopping today and this year I’ve gone in a different direction for one of my gifts. I’ve bought books from the charity shop at bargain prices so I can afford to give more than 1 book and the charity benefits as well. I know the books will get passed around other grateful readers after Christmas and will come full circle back to the charity shops for them to sell once more. I’ve thanked the “voice of doubt” in my head for its concern at giving a gift that isn’t brand new, and I’ve let go of any guilt associated with it. I know more people will benefit from the gift of multiple books than just one brand new one.

December 4th – Spotted a lady just about to drive off from the next petrol pump with her petrol flap open. Stopped her and closed it for her so she could drive off safely. Good Deeds received: My lovely postman delivered a signed copy of “It’s NOT a Holiday” by Andy Robinson and Kirsty McGregor as thanks for all my help and support promoting their book, thanks guys, had a teary moment there! If you’ve missed any of my posts about them click over here. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2RV Also had some amazing feedback from my 24 Sleeps ‘Til Xmas guest Nicky Wells, here’s a link to her post. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2Pt

December 5th – I spread the word about a free kindle download today “Driving Me to You” by Julie Farrell. A really windy day today and I rescued my neighbour’s wheelie bin which was blowing down the road.

December 6th – Dropped some money into the Diabetes collection bucket at Tesco where workers were cycling the equivalent miles to Lapland to raise money for the charity. Signed up to post a cover reveal and to do a book review and interview for Author Cherie Reich’s new book “Reborn”  next year.

December 7th – Had friends over for supper this evening, which was lovely. Good Deeds received: They were extremely grateful as they had had a very busy day and having someone else cook them a meal at the end of it made all the difference.

Good Deeds Week November 24th – 30th

This is all about my journey to achieve one Good Deed a day for a year. I was inspired to set myself this challenge when I began reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Judith undertook some amazing deeds in her year, my own challenge has opened my eyes to opportunities which would previously have passed me by, where I can make a difference to the world, not matter how small.

November 24th -Today I’ve spent some lovely time in the garden with my husband giving it some last tender loving care before the winter sets in. The recent frosty nights have ended the fuchsias and the last flowering geraniums. It’s nice to tidy it up and energise the garden, then I placed the pots of bulbs in prominent places ready to watch them bud in the early spring. Sadly heard that a dear friend had recently passed away, my thoughts and wishes go to the family left behind.

November 25th – My morning giving my time to the local school. I also took in some bottles of booze for their Christmas Fair from my cupboards. Good Deeds Received; Lots of thanks for my help and the bottles.

November 26th – A lovely short morning at work which was great because the farm barn which is our office was quite cold. Dropping off some books to the charity shop later. Good Deeds received: Had some great comments on today’s book review post of “The Initiate” By Sue Vincent and Stuart France. Here is a link to my book review http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-37P

November 27th – I have a group of friends coming around after lunch. After my disappointing first try of a banana cake I’ve reverted to cakes I know will work and I’ll try another banana cake at a later date. I’ve soya milk for the friend who needs to avoid dairy and I’ve made brownies with rice flour for the friend who can’t eat gluten. Good Deeds received; Lots of lovely thanks from my friends for hosting the afternoon.

November 28th – Sourced and bought a small pack of wallpaper paste the other day for my Mum, delivered it today so she can do a bit of touching up around some windows after they had new double glazing installed. Wow! had our first Christmas card today, so nice to be in people’s thoughts.

November 29th – Am thrilled to publish a post today for some great friends I’ve met over the internet. Andy and Kirsty are launching their book “It’s NOT a Holiday” all about overland group travel. They’ve written a fun A to Z guide for anyone thinking of going on some of the fantastic trips that are available world wide. Here’s a link to their guest post; http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2RV and a link to where you can get a copy Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

November 30th – The December issue of Fleet Life has just been delivered and I’m excited about my book review page. This month is a bumper issue and I’m on page 50! The books that I have reviewed are; “It’s NOT a Holiday” by Andy Robinson and Kirsty McGregor, “Becoming Anorak Nid” by local author Alix B Macey, “Beatrysel” by Johnny Worthen, “Death of the Mad Hatter” by Sarah J Pepper and “What it Takes” by Terry Tyler. Brilliant, the online version is up today, so I’ll be posting and tweeting to the lucky authors. Good Deeds Received: Lots of brilliant re-tweets and thanks from this month’s set of authors who are featured in the magazine.

December Issue of Fleet Life

I’m really thrilled to once again have my book reviews featured in Fleet Life. This magazine goes out locally and is also available online at www.fleetlife.org.uk click on the online directory and find my review page on Page 50.

This month my featured books are;

 It’s NOT a Holiday by Andy Robinson and Kirsty McGregor Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Becoming Anorak Nid – A Rude Awakening by local author Alix Macey Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 Beatrysel by Johnny Worthen Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah J Pepper Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 What it Takes by Terry Tyler Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

It’s Not A Holiday by Andy Robinson and Kirsty McGregor (30th Nov)

It’s NOT a Holiday! The A-Z Guide to Group Travel by Andy N Robinson and Kirsty McGregor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“It’s Not a Holiday”, is a brilliant book all about going on an organised tour with a group of people. It is full of humour and I laughed out loud whilst reading it. Gap years are no longer just for students and taking a tour to far away places has become very popular. The authors of this book have been tour guides and or drivers on such overland tours and are very experienced as shown by the content. If you have ever considered a tour to places like Africa, Asia and South America where you want to see the real people and experience the local sights by driving across the land and eating, living and embracing these cultures then this book is a must. It tells you what to expect and what is expected of you, don’t be surprised if it shocks you, forewarned is always forearmed and this way you’re more likely to have fun and enjoy the trip.

Check out yesterday’s guest author interview with Andy and Kirsty here; http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2RV It includes some fab photos!

Find a copy of this book here from Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Guest Authors Andy Robinson and Kirsty McGregor (Nov 29th)

My guests today are a writing duo who will open your minds to the idea of group travel across the world. Their book “It’s NOT a Holiday” is due out tomorrow (30th November) and is the most amazing and hilarious A-Z guide to road travel. A must read for anyone young or old who may be contemplating an adventure across the world.

Let’s go and find out more about them;

Andy and Kirsty in Rio de Janeiro

1) Where are your home towns?

Andy: I am from sunny Calne, a small market town in Wiltshire, the West Country of England. Although perhaps describing it as sunny is a bit of a stretch and is why I found myself working abroad for so long.

Kirsty: I grew up in Weipa, a small and very isolated mining town in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Andy and I have been living in Calne for the last few years but we plan to immigrate back to Queensland next year; where it really is sunny.

2) Is this your first writing piece as individuals or together?

This is our first written piece to be published both as individuals and as a collaboration. We have both been writing individually for many years. When writing “It’s NOT a Holiday!” together we discovered that we approach our writing in very different ways and had quite different styles. It took a while and a few heated discussions before we found our groove – a way to write together and a style that we both agreed on. We got there in the end but we both agreed at the time it wasn’t something we would rush to do again. However, looking back on it now, the process was fun and we had lots of laughs remembering the stories from our time on the road.

 

3) Where did the idea for “It’s NOT a Holiday!” stem from?

We had the idea of “It’s NOT a Holiday!” for a few years before it came to fruition. On the first trip we worked together on, back in 2008 in South America, we realised we both had a love of writing and thought there was a need for a ‘survival guide’ for passengers travelling on group tours such as the ones we were leading. “It’s NOT a holiday, it’s a life experience…” is something we often told our passengers when explaining how they could get the most out of their trip.

We threw a few ideas around and made notes whilst sitting round the campfire for a bit of fun but it wasn’t until we were off the road and working in France for the winter that we fleshed out the ideas and put pen to paper.

 

4) You’ve both been guides or drivers on tours, can you tell us where in the world these were?

EOE truck in Rio de Janeiro

Andy: Ten years ago I decided to throw in my job and travel through Africa on an overland truck… and that really was the end of normality for me. I have specialised in long haul trips throughout the Middle East, Iran, India, China, around South East Asia and extensively throughout Latin America.

Kirsty: I was travelling independently in the Middle East when I stumbled across a group travelling overland on a big truck to Egypt. I loved the idea and signed myself up for a six month trip from London to Cape Town. I had a ball and decided that becoming an overland tour leader/driver was the perfect way to see the world and get paid for it. Since then I have been lucky enough to work in Africa, Europe, Central & South East Asia, Central & South America and Australia.

Kirsty with Pakistani Police

 

5) What’s the longest road trip you’ve taken people on?

Andy: Driving from Istanbul to Bangkok in 7 months was one of my longest road trips with passengers. However, by far my longest road trip would be driving from London to Mongolia and then back in a small 1 litre Ford Fiesta. Great fun!

Mongolian Sand trap!

Kirsty: An 8 month trip from London to Sydney was my longest trip. I took 32 passengers through 3 continents, 23 countries and had a blast. Of all my long haul trips, this one was the most diverse in terms of the landscapes and cultures I experienced along the way.

London to Sydney trip (Tibet)

Our longest trip together was the one we met on – Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro.  A 7 month trip travelling through 17 Latin American countries ending up at the biggest party in the world, the Rio Carnival.

 

6) What’s the worst terrain to take trips over?

There are lots of different terrains that can be difficult to drive through – soft sand in deserts, muddy roads in jungles and city roads packed with trucks, buses, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians, horse and carts, camels, donkeys, goats and just about any other beast you can think of. But the terrain we enjoy the least is mountain passes – proper mountains, the Himalayas and the Andes. Driving at altitude means thin air, a hard time breathing and headaches. Not fun! Although to be fair the views are fantastic.

Bogging!

 

Pope 7 Pantanal Bogging

7) Can you list 5 packing essentials for any road trip?

Head torch

Toilet roll in a plastic Ziploc bag

Cash

Multi-tool with knife and bottle opener

A sense of humour

Not necessarily in that order…

 

8) What are 5 items that people REALLY don’t need, but think they do?

Micro fibre towel

Expensive sunglasses

Trekking trousers with daft zip off legs

Traveller’s cheques

6 month supply of toiletries – these can be bought anywhere, believe it or not showering is a worldwide phenomenon.

 

9) Tell us your own choices of BEST place to experience if you only took one road trip in your lifetime.

This is a question we get asked a lot. It is along the same lines of our favourite places we have travelled. It is so hard to answer because we have so many favourites for so many different reasons.

Andy: If someone was to do only one major overland trip in their lifetime I would recommend one through Asia – the history and sheer diversity of cultures is mind blowing.

Kirsty: For me it would be Africa. There is something magical about going on your first African wildlife safari.

A road trip we would like to do in the future would be in North America. We have driven the Pan American Highway in Latin America so would now like to do the northern section including Canada and Alaska. One day! West Africa and Madagascar are also on the list…

 

10) Tell me what attributes I need to get voted as “best guest” on one of your trips?

The perfect passenger is someone who has a sense of humour, a sense of adventure, a can do attitude and embraces everything with open arms and an open mind. They will also be the one who has the most fun!

Are you coming on a road trip Rosie? Well…. The North American trip appeals more to my sanitation fears and my son wants to go to Madagascar! You never know!

Our website: www.blackfrogpublishing.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/blackfrogpublishing

Twitter: Andy – @FlagonOfCider  Kirsty – @kirsty_oz  Black Frog Publishing – @TheFrogFather  It’s NOT a Holiday – @ItsNOTaHoliday

Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/blackfrogbooks

Buy books:

Direct from our website – www.blackfrogpublishing.com/Books.htm

Troubador Publishing – http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2398

Amazon.co.uk – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-NOT-Holiday-Guide-Travel/dp/1909651052/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382091650&sr=8-1&keywords=It%27s+NOT+a+Holiday%21%3A+The+A-Z+Guide+to+Group+Travel

Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/Its-NOT-Holiday–Z-Travel/dp/1909651052/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384426389&sr=1-1&keywords=It%27s+Not+a+holiday+by+Andy+N+Robinson

A Big Thanks to Kirsty and Andy and Good Luck with the book launch, I know it will be a winner!

“I” For It’s Not a Holiday April AtoZ Challenge

Today’s letter is “I” and the book entry is from Andy  and the team at Black Frog Publishing to get you in the holiday mood, their book will be published after the challenge, but here is a sneak preview of its contents.

Don’t forget to PLEASE add a comment below as your part in the challenge. Thanks

‘It’s NOT a Holiday! The A – Z Guide of Group Travel’ is a fun and informative guide to travelling with other people, whether that be a day tour around London, or a six month overland across Asia.

It is all about people, group dynamics and the daft things people do while on tour…

We wrote this book after many years tour leading on six continents because we think it will help you get the most out of your holiday, learning from the mistakes of those who went before you.

There are twenty stereotypical characters featured in the book, those who will probably be on your tour with you. Natural Leader is one person who can be an absolute rock within the group, or the biggest pain in the backside.

The challenge is to see which character you are and what you can learn from them…’

It is our first book release, and we have two more planned for this year and three for next, all travel related but travel with a twist! We are the group travel experts and have plenty to share with those who aren’t quite aware of what travel is like off the beaten track!

http://bit.ly/BlackFrogBooks (Press Release)

http://bit.ly/BlackFrogBlog (A link to their blog)

Here are 5 randomly chosen links to other AtoZ Challengers;

http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.thebaldpatch.blogspot.ca/

http://jabirdsnest.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.apassionandapassport.com/

http://gonegarden.blogspot.co.uk/

I’m also publishing 2 other posts today, the first is a book bomb in aid of 16-year-old Ben Wolverton who is currently in a coma after a long boarding accident. His family need your prayers and your support. Thanks.