This post was most recently updated on April 5th, 2014
Publisher: Matador (November 26, 2013)
ISBN-13: 978-1780883908
Category: Travel, Adventure Travel, Living & Working Abroad
Tour Dates: March, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 256 pages
From Luton to Peru to Ningaloo, a Search for Life After Redundancy
Three things happened simultaneously. The lioness charged, Alistair fled across the parched savannah and his wife screamed for him to run faster. Stuffed deep inside his tattered rucksack was a guidebook containing advice on what to do in wildlife emergencies, which he planned to read if he survived the next thirty seconds. Future plans to climb Kilimanjaro, teach English in the Amazon and live in Australia were temporarily forgotten as he turned to face the pouncing lioness, thinking back to the words of advice from his mother-in-law. “Don’t do anything silly, and look after Francine.” From deep underground in a remote Bolivian mine to the scorched Australian outback, Round the Bend is an adventure travel story. It explores the turbulence of redundancy, the excitement of travel, the anguish of leaving home and the challenges of starting a new life in Australia.
Praise for Round the Bend:
“An inspiring, enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable story of the journey of a lifetime. Definitely recommended, particularly if you’re planning such a trip or thinking of emigrating.“-Sue Magee, The Book Bag
“A cracking marriage of travel adventures and challenging life decisions makes for a great read! If you are looking for inspiration on the direction of your life journey or are dreaming of wild travels in remote foreign lands, Halfway Round the Bend, by Alistair McGuinness, is the read for you!
Packed with quirky anecdotes and tales of jungle trekking, mountain scaling and safari survival, this action packed adventure is woven around real life following redundancy and some difficult decisions to leave family / friends and finally emigrate to Australia.
I really enjoyed the read and must admit that I am just a little jealous of some of the places Alistair and his wife Fran experienced on their remarkable extended expedition!”– Rich Packard, Amazon Reviewer
“A great travel adventure book. A great read. As well as thoroughly enjoying the tale of the authors adventures in South America and descriptions of amazing places I have only ever dreamed of visiting, I loved how the book was more than just a book about someone’s travels. The relationships, people within the book and obvious soul searching which spurs the author on to his quest for adventure are what made this story a real page turner for me. Can’t wait to read the sequel!”- Lara Clark, Amazon Reviewer
” A heartening, entertaining travelogue. I stumbled across this as a ‘New Release’ and catching sight of my hometown, Luton, in the author’s bio. I’ve always been a fan of travelogues, and this didn’t disappoint.
The journey Alastair relates struck a chord – I found myself quite carried along with Alastair and Fran’s brave adventure and leap from ‘normal’ life into the Amazon and beyond. So many of the other travelogues I’ve read are by seasoned travellers, but Alastair’s ‘fish-out-of-water’ is believable and endearing, and his relaxed style allowed me to share in the wonder and realisation that they seemed to experience on their trip.“-Craig Fisher, Amazon Reviewer
“A cleverly written book with a light and humorous tone throughout. A collaboration of thrill – seeking times and life changing moments. Not only is the reader able to indulge in some mind blowing travel adventure they are also able to read and understand the pure emotion and challenges of leaving family and friends to start a new life down under. This is a very unique novel and a very interesting book and a fantastic read. And what’s more exciting there are more installments to come of this marvellous book.”-Simon Barclay, Amazon Reviewer
About Alistair McGuinness:
Alistair grew up in the UK in a town called Luton, which lies 30 miles north of London. Family holidays were spent in County Donegal, Ireland, staying with his Grandmother in their large family home where she had once raised fifteen children.
It was these annual trips that made Alistair realise his Great Uncles were Seanachaís (Irish story tellers). After a few pints of Guinness in the family bar, brothers Barney and Francis would entertain the evening crowds with their recitations of life in rural Ireland. As their rustic voices carried across the crowded room, Alistair would watch and listen as the animated tales mesmorised the overseas visitors.
44 countries and four decades later, Alistair now calls Australia home and in the tradition of Great Uncles Barney and Francis, loves to recite stories. He lives between the beach and the forest with his wife, two young boys and a fun puppy called Peppi. After decades of adventurous escapades Alistair is calming down and has decided to write more and bungee jump less!
He works as a Business Improvement Specialist and has just spent three years as a fly in fly out employee at a remote iron ore mine site in Western Australia. As a trainer and facilitator, he has worked in Europe and Australia and is passionate about helping people and organisations to become successful.
A fun family day for Alistair would be fishing from the local jetty with his boys, taking the puppy for a walk along the beach at sunset and cooking a scrumptious curry in the evening with his wife.
An ideal adventurous day for Alistair would be a days walking and scrambling in the Lake District with friends, followed by a visit to a village pub nestled deep in the English countryside.
Website: http://www.thecreativenomad.co/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amcguinness1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/amcguinness1/
Buy Round the Bend:
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository
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Bookalicious Traveladdict Mar 14 Guest Post
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Reader’s Muse Mar 18 Review
Reader’s Muse Mar 19 Guest Post
Luxury Reading Mar 20 Review & Giveaway
I’d Rather Be At The Beach Mar 24 Review
So Many Precious Books Mar 25 Review
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Deal Sharing Aunt Mar 27 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Mar 28 Guest Post
Bless Their Hearts Mom Apr 3 Review & Giveaway
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