Journeys to the Nearby: A Gardener Discovers the Gentle Art of Untravelling

Inspired by adventures of world travellers but unwilling to rack up her fossil fuel consumption, Elspeth sets out with a deep curiosity to explore the world that exists in her own garden. Told over the course of four seasons, the book is inspired by the beauty in the small moments of discovery. After spending the winter holidays lazing comfortably with a stack of books by ambitiously adventurous travel writers, Elspeth soon realizes that their derring-do and far-flung, often gas-guzzling exploits, are not her cup of tea. But impressed by their energy she resolves to abandon her recliner to set off on a year-long journey of her own. Her tentative efforts of ’ untravelling’ become a voyage of discovery and rediscovery as she learns to slow down and observe. With gentle humour and a warm, intimate and conversational style, Elspeth evokes her world as richly as any travel writer. Accompanied by Elspeth’s elegant pen-and-ink drawings. A charming gift book for travellers, gardeners and those looking for solace in our overwhelming and relentlessly-fast-paced digital world.

With a career in architecture and landscape architecture, Elspeth Bradbury has also spent much of her life as a writer, a painter and a gardener. She is the co-author of The Real Garden Road Trip, The Garden Letters and the poetry collection Is that you this is me. For more than a decade she has volunteered at VanDusen Botanical Gardens as a Master Gardener and a Garden Guide, taught continuing education classes, and made presentations to garden clubs. She has contributed illustrated articles to magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Canadian Gardening, Gardens West and Harrowsmith.