By Rebecca Hay Broths to Bannocks: Cooking in Scotland 1690 To The Present Day, by Catherine Brown, priced at £12.99 and published by Waverley Books, to place orders contact: customerservice@booksource.net THESE days there are many cookery books on the market. Most of them are compiled by celebrity chefs and once the gloss has gone, there is not much left to inspire a would-be chef. Broths to Bannocks is in a different league. Written by leading Scottish food writer and historian Catherine Brown, not only does it contain excellent recipes, but it is a truly interesting read. First published in 1990, it combines the history of cooking in Scotland with recipes. It takes the reader on a tour of Scottish kitchens since the late 17th century and features illustrated drawings by Martin Knowelden. Imagine broths coloured amber by marigold seeds and mealy porridge with thick cream in a book which shows “the wealth of Scotland in all its grand simplicity.’’

By Rebecca Hay The Very Best of Black Bob, The Dandy Wonder Dog, £9.99, published by Waverley Books, www.waverley.books.co.uk THIS is a book young readers can share with their parents and grandparents. For Black Bob was an institution for The Dandy Comic and The Weekly News enthusiasts of the early 1960s. And despite his age, Bob and his stories still live on and are perfect bedtime stories. Bob was a fictional Border Collie from The Scottish Borders. Henwas a top sheepdog who won many prizes at sheepdog trials, but to his master Andrew Glenn, he was a trusted ally who enjoyed many adventures together. Former Dandy editor Morris Heggie looks back fondly at the tales and the wonderfully illustrated book is crammed with Bob’s adventures which are gentle, but addictive!

The author:
If anyone should know his onions about France and the French, it is or should be George East. His books and newspaper and magazine articles and TV and radio programmes on our nearest continental neighbours and their intriguing country have been enjoyed by millions.

Now George has created a new type of travel book.

George East was born in Hayling Island and ran away to sea at an early age. He got as far as the Isle of Wight before jumping ship and completing his education at Portsmouth Technical High School and Big Charlie’s Snooker and Poker Academy. After completing one term of his degree course in English at Portsmouth Polytechnic (he was thrown out when it was discovered he had forged his ‘O’ and ‘A’ level certification), George tried his hand at a number of occupations. Amongst others, his professions included private detective, brewer’s drayman, night club manager, disc-jockey and bouncer (often all at the same time), snooker club proprietor, hotel manager, male model for outsize womens’ clothing (for a certain shop catering for men with a liking for female attire), seamstress (for the drag shop), pickled onion manufacturer, radio and television producer and presenter, publican and PR consultant.

The last of these activities came about when George was appointed as the world’s first professional bed tester. The recognition came after a leg of the East’s ancient bed pierced the ceiling of the lounge bar of their pub and became a significant tourist attraction. After being signed up by American giant bed maker Sealy Inc, George appeared in the world’s press and on hundreds of British and American radio and television stations.

Realising from this experience how easy it was to make up stories and gain publicity for their sponsor, George went into PR and marketing, and ended his proper working days with a number of national and international clients. When an unexpected windfall came their way as the result of a slightly dodgy deal, the Easts had the choice of paying off some of their mortgage or buying a new second-hand car. After hiring a car ferry and taking a thousand publicans and their spouses on a memorable day trip to Cherbourg, George and his wife looked into an estate agency window and decided to keep their mortgage and old car and use the windfall to buy a tiny cottage in the Normandy countryside. Having made every cock-up in the book that had not yet been written about the perils of buying a foreign property, George decided to write it. Home & Dry in France became a classic of its genre, and seven more books about trying to make a living out of living in France followed. After
mistakenly buying a manor house next door to a thriving dog kennels, the Easts gave up trying to be sensible and decided to spend the autumn of their lives on the road and moving around their second favourite country.

The book:
French Impressions-Brittany is the first in a series of books about the 22 very different regions of France. It is also a truly innovative travel book. It is a deliberate hybrid of information about Brittany, melded with anecdotes about the often eccentric expatriates and Bretons George encountered on his travels. Taking the advice of travel writing legend Louis Theroux and rather than racing around the region in a camper, George decided to take his time and live where he was writing about. So the Easts spent a year in a tiny hamlet half way up what counts as a mountain in Brittany, in the wild and often desolate reaches of the Finistere department. While attempting to fit in with the Breton-speaking community and their sometimes funny little ways, George toured the region in search of unusual places and people….and to discover how and why Brittany is so different from the rest of France. The result is totally unlike any other sort of travel book you will have read, and French Impressions: Brittany has already been described as a blend of Billy Bryson, Eric (Short Walk in the Hindu Kush) Newby - and the ravings of an ill-educated lunatic. Whether either of those is a fair description is for you and the reading public to decide.

The facts:
• A new sort of travel book about the most popular destination in France for Britons
• Author with proven appeal, unique style and often quirky ‘take’ on people, places and Life
• More than a hundred towns and tourist attractions reviewed
• The history and culture of Brittany explored
• Dozens of traditional Breton food and drink recipes
• Information on holidaying, visiting or moving to live in Brittany

Summary:
Millions of Britons visit Brittany every year. Many dream of moving to and starting a new life and perhaps business in this fascinating region. French Impressions – Brittany not only explores the region, but its history, culture and appeal. It is the first in a series about different areas of France, and the first of its type. Whatever you want from it and whichever way you look at it, this is Brittany in a book.
A Taste of French Impressions: Brittany

On the locals:
Turning into the square I have to swerve to avoid running into Eddie Izzard. He has just emerged from the pork butcher’s shop and favours me with a nihilistic stare before flouncing off in the direction of the post office. It is of course not Eddie Izzard, but a local lady doing an unintentional but impressive impression of the comic and enthusiastic wearer of women’s clothing.

Brittany certainly seems to be the European capital of lookalikes, and Huelgoat its headquarters. As well as the Clint Eastwood and Rasputin dopplegangers, the owner of the creperie down the road is a spitting image of Robbie Williams. There is also a woman who could be a clone of Margaret Thatcher - had she become a bag lady instead of one of our greatest Prime Ministers. In one of the bars, there is even a pug dog which has a sneer exactly like the late great Elvis Presley. Such is the prevalence of lookalikes here, there is a regular contest to see which townsperson looks most like a famous personality. Last month there was a special event to find who looked most like the mayor of Huelgoat. The contest was won, unsurprisingly, by the mayor.

On the expats:
Yesterday I met a Scotsman who believes he is a reincarnation of an ancient Breton king with magical powers; to me he looks more like a reincarnation of Rab C Nesbit on a bad hair and teeth day. Riothamus (or Dougal to his former friends in East Kilbride) lives in an impressively distressed caravan, carefully hidden from official view alongside an as-yet restored stretch of canal. We met when I was passing his hideaway and he accosted me to say he recognised me from a past life. Steeling myself for a probable touch, I accepted his invitation to take a cup of dandelion tea and was fascinated to learn that apart from his other talents, he is a skilled wind-maker. With the right incantation and frame of mind, he says he can raise anything from a zephyr to a full-blown hurricane. Unfortunately, when I asked for a demonstration he said it did not work when there were other humans around to interfere with the temporal forces. Riothamus says that the canal was deliberately built along a really strong leyline and always attracted unusual people, and I believe him. After I slipped him a few euros to keep him going until he secures his next windmaking commission, we parted and promised to look each other up in another thousand years.

On sightseeing:
We cannot get closer to the castle at Vitré than the car park, which is anyway being dug up and taken away to foil would-be visitors. Across the morass, a cherrypicker is holding two men up against one vast wall. I see that they are re-pointing it, filling the gaps between huge slabs with mortar. As they are using trowels not much bigger than soup spoons, it is clear they have a job for life.

On the way back to the car we marvel at the range and condition of buildings, and note probably the only restaurant in France calling itself The Cabbage Soup.

Spotting a sign bearing the silhouette of a teapot, I go in to the café to be confronted by the glinting glasses of a short, fat woman who seems to be chewing a wasp. She denies all knowledge of tea and how to serve it, and when I point my umbrella at a plate of fancy cakes and ask what they are, she completely loses it, grabs my brolly and orders me from the premises. After a spirited tug-of-war, I retreat from the shop and we find somewhere more welcoming.

Beneath the waves in the bay of Douarnenez is said to lay a place with a history of nearly as much drama, sex and misery as a TV soap in desperate search of ratings.

The island city of Ys has several great stories associated with it, the most common and popular claiming it was built for the princess Dahut by her father Gralon, the king of the Cornouaille region.

As well as suffering from a shortage of vowels, the island was below sea level and protected by a gated dyke for which the king held the only key. Ys was to become the most impressive and beautiful city in the world, but was also a byword for sin and corruption. Dahut was a bit of a ladette, and had a penchant for organizing orgies then killing her lovers when day broke.

One fateful evening, a knight in red arrived and was invited to join in the fun. During the night, he suggested that Dahut steal the key from her sleeping father. She did, and the Devil (for it was of course he) threw open the gates and allowed the sea to swallow Ys. Enraged, the king threw Dahut into the oncoming torrent, where she became a mermaid, doomed to swim the lonely seas for eternity. As with all drowned cities, it is said that on stormy nights you can hear the bells of the church at Ys ring dolefully out, and sometimes even the mournful cries of the lonely mermaid.

By Francesca Brooks

WELL into her 70s and still travelling, Full Tilt pays homage to Dervla Murphy’s first adventure. When she was 10 she was given a bike and an atlas and within days was secretly planning a trip to India. It took her until she was 31 in 1963 to finally set off. This wonderfully written book is based on her daily diary she kept while riding through Persia, Afghanistan and the Himalayas to Pakistan and India. She was a lone woman on a bike, with a revolver in her trouser pocket, so you can imagine some of the adventure she had! Wheels within Wheels is Dervla’s autobiography. And it is what you would expect from this exceptional lady, well written, honest and informative.

IF you don’t know your lettuce from your cucumber and want a bit of old-fashioned fun too, then this is your book. The Broons characters have long been favourites with readers of The Sunday Post and over the last few years they have used their wisdom to pass on cookery, beauty and all things Scottish knowledge. And this book is no exception. It is beautifully nostalgic, yet very informative too. And it has an abundance of tips for would-be gardeners covering everything from how to tend your house plants to digging up the garden soil. So why not dig out your deck chair, sit in the garden and enjoy reading this book, before you get down the serious business of tendering those blooms! By Rebecca Hay

THE beauty of the Scottish Highlands and the surrounding islands is second to none and this book of poetry complements it with flourish. Mary Miers is from South Uist and has a long association with the Outer Hebrides through her forebears and a deep understanding of the beauty, history and musical and poetic nature of the region. Her selection of poems reflects this and this pocket-sized book is something special to take with you as you explore this wonderful part of the world. By Rebecca Hay

She has travelled extensively too since that book which took her from her native Ireland to India on a bike. And on this journey she was joined firstly by her daughter Rachel and her three young granddaughters, before returning on her own to this fascinating country to delve more into its history, politics and economy. With her family she trekked for miles into the hills and along the coast and camped out on empty beaches, enjoying the famous Cuban hospitality. Then she returned on her own to find out more about the special country and its people which were shaped by the Cuban Revolution. She explored the mountains, coastal swamps and decaying cities and in her own unique way she gives the reader her insight into what is really happening. The book highlights a society full of fun and vigor, but one whose people are struggling to retain their identity as the Americans prepare to march in. By Rebecca Hay

Maw Broons Cooking with Bairns, with Catherine Brown, £9.99, published by Waverley Books on April 1st, order via customerservice@booksource.net or www.booksfromscotland.com By Rebecca Hay BIG cook mum tries her best every night to rustle up something special for dad and the two wee cooks. And with the two wee cooks eager to help out, cooking can sometimes become a little bit messy. Enter grandmother and experienced cook Catherine Brown and the characters of The Broons, the cartoon strip which has been popular in The Sunday Post newspaper for years. The recipes in this new recipe book range from Jammy Buns to Walnut Tablet and each recipe has been tried and tested by children and mums on the Island of Arran and come with special tips to make them easy. With three-year-old Ruaridh donning his chef’s hat and his five-month-old sister Flora observing

By Rebecca Hay SLUM DOGS OF INDIA by Eloise Leyden Published on September 14th by Merrell, £9.95. www.merrellpublishers.com Photographer Eloise Leyden spent a year travelling around India working for an animal charity and it changed her life. She was captivated by the vibrance and beauty of the land and the warmth of the people. But the main attraction was the unique spirit of the sizeable population of stray dogs to be found throughout the country. Her book beautifully captures the different aspects of the dogs' daily lives. In Uttar Pradesh, a puppy begs patiently for scraps from a customer at a food stall, while a dog enjoys an impromptu swim with a group of children. Every chai stall has its resident dog and there are endless opportunities for scavenging and mischief. Its a lovely book, which will bring a tear to your eye.

By Rebecca Hay THE MAN WHO CYCLED THE WORLD BY MARK BEAUMONT, TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS (£13.99) www.booksattransworld.com IT must have been a lonely, but satisfying journey for cyclist Mark Beaumont when he attempted to circumnavigate the world. For he smashed the Guinness World Record by an astonishing 81 days. Mark had travelled 18,297 miles solo and unsupported through some of the harshest conditions one man and his bike can tolerate. Now Mark has written a book outlining his journey and it is a fascinating read. He pedalled from Paris to Istanbul and had to endure terrible weather as well as broken wheels, hostile desert landscapes and strange looks from local people. But his spirit wasn't broken and Mark's success was wholly deserved. His book is an inspiration to other cyclists - so get on your bike and grab a copy!

By Rebecca Hay RICE'S ARCHITECTURAL PRIMER by MATTHEW RICE (Hardback, Bloomsbury, £14.99) HAVE you ever walked past a truely wonderful building and then struggled later to give a description to worthy its beauty? Well Rice's new book solves all those problems for you. His advice is "if you want to understand a building, sit infront of it and draw it.'' The book helps you with the names of the complication bits, when it was built and what it is trying to convey. Each chapter explains a specific period, but its not a history book, but a chance to try and explain the delights of each era and how they are different architecturally. Rice also gives an example of each period, which gives readers a chance to visit and try out their new found skills.

Three Ways to Capsize a Boat: An Optimist Afloat, by Chris Stewart, £10.99, Sort of Books. www.sortof.co.uk By Rebecca Hay ENTERPRISING Chris Stewart has enjoyed a wonderful life full of fantastic experiences from being the original drummer with Genesis to living a contented life in Andalucia. His "charmed'' life in Spain has been recorded so far in books "Driving Over Lemons'', "A Parrot in the Pepper Tree'' and "The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society.'' But now he has returned to his younger days and his latest book records Chris's time escaping from England's economic gloom by jumping ship literally and becoming the skipper of a Cornish Crabber as it toured the Greek Islands. The book is hilarious and Chris has you in stitches with his tales of how he tackles fires on board, drunken Norsemen and follows a steep learning curve as he attempts to turn from novice to expert in a short space of time. Chris has a knack of taking you away from the gloom and doom of everyday life and transporting you to a magical place full of fun and adventure. So, go on and dip in for some laughs!

© Mark Ellingham

The Bard, by Robert Crawford. Published by Jonathan Cape, £20. By Rebecca Hay SCOTTISH poet Rabbie Burns is the James Dean of his day. For his wonderful poetry has brought him worldwide fame, many years after his death. This year marks the 250th anniversary of his death, which inevitably encourages books to be written about the great bard. And there is none finer than Crawford's biography. Burns wore many hats during his life and his drinking and womanising caused many a distress. But the sure beauty of his poetry must have melted even the most hardened heart. Crawford's book wonderfully brings out the best of Burns. It shows his good side and his bad side and keeps the reader intrigued. Crawford outlines Burns's life from early childhood in Alloway, Scotland, through to his adulthood as Burns used his poetry to express his frustrations of life. It’s a lovely read and one which will inspire you to learn more about the man and his inspiring lyrics which are still apt today.

Real Lancashire by Phil Smith: Carnegie Publishing, £9.99 By REBECCA HAY IF you are a proud Lancastrian, or a Yorkshireman wanting to enjoy a taste of the real top county - then this book is a must. Retired broadcaster and writer Phil Smith has published "Real Lancashire: A journey through the history of the old country''. Phil researched and wrote the book after thinking about moving to Spain for a warmer climate. He took a long hard look at Lancashire and liked what he saw. And the book was born. Full of nostalgia, it takes the reader on a journey through the history and heritage of the county and travels through Neolithic times to the Industrial Revolution, from the Vikings to the Victorians and from rural villages to the re-invented 21st Century cities. Phil is particularly impressed by Burnley's chimneys which are "a monument to all those unsung heroes of the cotton industry, who have passed so quietly into the night.'' An excellent stocking filler.

Our photograph shows Phil perched on a peat hag!

Jonathan Agnew's Cricket Year (published by A & C Black, £24.99) CRICKET legend Jonathan Agnew casts a professional eye over the 2008 highs and lows and enthusiasts will be hit for six by his views. The book revealsAggers viewpoint on how England played against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and South Africa and he also passes on some behind-the-scenes gossip. The top class writer gives his opinion on what is going to happen in 2009 when Australia visit to contest the Ashes once again and England hosts the Twenty20 World Cup. The book also features guest writers including Shaun Udal and Justin Langer, with pieces from Graeme Hick, Mushtaq Ahmed, Alastair Cook, Burnley's Jimmy Anderson and Brendon McCullum. The book has a great collection of colour pictures and provides a first class service for cricket lovers everywhere.

Riding Masterclass Jo Weeks Sometimes it's nice to have an expert at hand when you've a riding problem, if you're leg wielding has gone South or a spooking situation is getting the better of you. While we can't all afford to have "a master" on hand to correct our every fault and point us in the right direction for training exercises, D&C has published a book that goes some of the way. "Riding Masterclass", edited by Jo Weeks, does exactly what it says on the tin - gives you an insight into the techniques of some of the top trainers in the equestrian world. It's particularly good as the experts deal with a "real" horse and rider situation from start to finish, with pictures showing you their moves and instructions each step of the way. Of course, there are advanced sections on how to solve showing problems etc, but, as a fairly inexperienced rider, I was fascinated by new approaches to shoulder-in and improving balance which I could put into practice in the arena. Published in hardback at a mighty 160 pages Riding Masterclass is priced at £19.99 from D&C

“LIGHT ON SNOW” Anita Shreve SET in the United States of America, in a snowy New Hampshire, this book grips you from the very first page. It is told through the eyes of a 12-year old girl and describes how she and her father discover an abandoned new born baby. Anita Shreve’s sensitive descriptions and shrewd insight into her characters kept me reading until late at night! This is the second of her novels that I have read - “A Wedding in December” is also worth a look. MARY BRASS

Exotic Excursions Anthony Nanson A DIP into Anthony Nanson’s book “Exotic Excursions” is akin to an excellent, but all too brief, short holiday. It quite simply leaves the reader wanting more. A former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School pupil, the writer has produced a book of short stories loosely based on his own far flung travel experiences. Each is different, and paints a vivid picture of a glimpse of life in another part of the world. Having lived in Kenya and Greece, some of his stories are set in both places. I rarely pick up and read short story collections, but this is quite simply superb. His love of language and artistry with words is interwoven with plots which immediately engage the reader. Unusually, I found myself dwelling on aspects of his storytelling days later. The son of Simon and Cynthia Nanson, of Warwick Drive, Clitheroe, the author lectures in creative writing at Bath Spa University and works as a live storyteller, as well as a writer and editor. A promotional event is planned for Kaydee Books, Clitheroe in the autumn. Exotic Excursions is published by Awen Publications and is on sale at £7.99.

This is certainly the sort of book that's great to dip into again and again, offering insights and tips aplenty. Published by D&C £14.99

Maximise Your Horsemanship Richard Maxwell If you want to take a trip into your horse's mind, then Richard Maxwell is the man to lead your way. He's one of the UK's leading equestrian behaviourists and trainers and has written Maximise Your Horsemanship to help riders make the most of the bond they can develop with their horse or pony, and get the best out of them. Not a book for an absolute beginner, it aims to build on the work you've already done with groundwork exercises and help you learn new techniques in the saddle. It runs through individual tasks to help improve your mount's safety, mindset and skills and puts them into a coherent training regime. I particularly enjoyed the case studies peppered through the book. Reading about other riders' problems - and solutions - really helped to get "back to basics", too. There is emphasis on the competition side of equestrianism - if that's your scene, too.

This is certainly the sort of book that's great to dip into again and again, offering insights and tips aplenty. Published by D&C £14.99

Your Horse's Health First Aid Anna Rush This book is not for faint-hearted! But, if you're serious about being there for your horse or pony in their hour of need, then it's an absolute must-have book to be kept in the stable - right next to the first-aid kit, I'd say. Anna Rush's MRVCS Your Horse's Health First Aid is a cracker, packed full of pictures (some on the gruesome side) of every manner of afflication or accident that could befall your pride and joy and - most importantly - exactly what to do to minimise damage and suffering. It's a great confidence booster, laid out in a simp,e and logical approach designed to boost your confidence and tackling everything from general first-aid (such as bandaging wounds); to afflictions of body systems, such as the lungs; what to do in an emergency, such as when a horse has collapsed and technical investigations, which explain some of the work you may see your vet carry out. If you only ever buy one book for the stable, this is it. It could save your horse's life.

Published by D&C £19.99

Revolutionize Your Riding Susan McBane IF you’re looking for an holistic approach to improving your riding techniques, then “Revolutionize Your Riding” is a must. As a fairly novice rider, I’m always on the lookout for tips on how to improve my technique and “bond” with the horses and ponies I ride. Lancashire author Susan McBane’s excellent book is a real breath of fresh air - techniques to get yourself on your horse’s wavelength and kind ways to control, rather than using the stick or boot! The emphasis is on “bio-mechanics” allowing the rider to move as one with their horse, using a “gentle but powerful influence” to achieve co-operation. Top chapter for me ... mind power. How positive mental attitude can get your results on horseback and how your frame of mind can impact on your horse.

This book is packed with illustrations and colour pictures and with the emphasis on the rider, not the horse’s schooling, it provides a simple yet effective training routine to help you improve your riding skills and work with your horse for better results and a more enjoyable experience. An easy read yet its 160 pages are brimming with top tips for riders - novice and more experienced ... Sally Dahmke In hardbook, published by David & Charles, retailing at £19.99.

BHS Book of the Natural Horse Sarah Widdicombe See the world from your horse’s point of view and find out what makes them tick ... with the help of a book that’s new to the market this month. “The BHS Book of the Natural Horse” isn’t your average riding manual - not by a long chalk. It sets out to show how all our actions are perceived by the horse and how, as riders and trainers, we can maximise their potential in a kind manner. A key to this is learning how horses live and interact in the wild and experienced horsewoman Sarah Widdicombe gives an illuminating insight into the horse’s psyche, which will be of interest to “horse fans” regardless of whether they own their own horse or not. For those keen to put the theory into practice though there are step-by-step sequences of photos showing how to train your horse with the sympathetic but effective methods.

The physical and mental effects of everything we ask horses to do are explained, giving tremendous insight and offering a range of logical and effective steps that riders and handlers can use to resolve problems or deal with new situations. Sally Dahmke Published in hardback on April 25th by David & Charles at £19.99.