Vincent Thurkettle – författare

'Sound, well-seasoned advice [on] how to bring wood fires into our lives.' - BBC CountryfileThe Wood Fire Handbook shows you that the soothing effect of dancing flames and glowing embers is a simple pleasure to have in our lives. Understanding everything that underpins the perfect wood fire makes it even more enjoyable. Vincent Thurkettle's handbook is the essential companion and manual.The expert insight and knowledge in this book allow everyone to rediscover the skills of previous generations and savour the delight of a perfect wood fire in all its incarnations.Contents include...Understand which trees make the best firewoodLearn how to split, season, and store woodLay the perfect fireMake an ingenious campfireChoose wood for its scent...and much more!This revised edition features updated information on wood-burning stoves, 'clean' wood and other environmental considerations.

'Finding Gold is to be immersed in the moment, in a beautiful place and, hopefully, with good company to share a story or two.' - Vincent Thurkettle in The Scotsman MagazineA gripping tale of one man's escape from conformity to chase gold, claim freedom and redefine life on his own terms."If anyone had ever told me how hard it is to find gold, would I have listened? I hope not. This is my story."'An uplifting book full of joyful nuggets of wisdom from a true adventurer!'- Dr Hermione Cockburn OBE, BBC TV Coast presenter and science communicator'Lyrical, magical, philosophical and inspirational' - James Ogilvie, Chair, Walking Scotland, Woodland Trust Director, Chartered Forester'This is more than a story of gold. It is a reflection of a way of life.'- Sanjay Singh , President of the World Goldpanning AssociationVincent's quest is a reminder never to give up on the most improbable dream: that is where you will find true riches.' - Annie Warburton, CEO & Clerk, The Goldsmiths' CompanyOn Friday I was middle management, employed and office-furnished. On Monday I was nobody, and it felt good. But I was not idle.I wasn't expecting to get rich, but if anyone had ever told me how hard it is to find gold, would I have listened? I hope not. I wanted to feel alive.I left the security of daily office attendance in favour of adventure, danger and chance, having decided life is too short. The reality of bills to pay reminded me I must succeed in my gold-panning mission, or my bank account would remain woefully empty, but there has not been a single minute of any day that I wished I was back at my old desk.My love affair with this enchanting and almost indestructible metal has taken me across the world, where I've rubbed shoulders with many wise and sometimes weary wanderers. From the mountains of Scotland to the rivers of Lapland, the mighty Yukon to sun-baked Australia and the sodden west coast of New Zealand, and finally, diving for treasure on the UK's richest shipwreck - I've never looked back.