TRAVERSE Issue 41 - April 2024 | Page 202

TRAVERSE 202
Back Road Campsites of Spain Duncan Gough 2024 ISBN 978-1-7393039-0-7
There ’ s little doubt that Duncan Gough is an expert in the Iberian Peninsula and with that comes a wealth of experience he passes on to fellow travellers through a series of beautifully illustrated books and guides .
The latest offering , a revised second edition , from Gough is Back Road Campsites Of Spain , and like the name suggests is a brilliant accompaniment to any traveller wishing to moto camp throughout Spain .
Gough has put together a selection of his favourite camp spots that take in the entire nation , all include detailed information regarding the site , costs , amenities , location , and more .
As is the norm with all of Gough ’ s books , Back Road Campsites Of Spain is beautifully crafted , professionally written and highlighted by Gough ’ s own water-coloured sketches , all with a level of detail that many larger publishing houses could learn from , as it shows that Gough has a long and deep love affair with the Iberian Peninsula , its people , cultures , and landscapes .
An aspect we like with Back Road Campsites Of Spain is the detailed list of wildlife to look for as well as identifying bird species with detailed silhouettes to look for , again drawn by Gough .
If you are planning a ride through Spain , and / or Portugal , then getting your hands on any of Gough ’ s books wouldn ’ t be a bad place to start . It doesn ’ t matter if you are on two wheels or more , these books are the perfect accompaniment , especially Back Road Campsites Of Spain .
An Inland Voyage Robert Louis Stevenson 1878 ISBN 978-1-4218085-1-2
It ’ s 150 years old and in many ways still relevant today . Robert Louis Stevenson ’ s An Inland Voyage is essentially just that .
What is considered Stevenson ’ s first book , An Inland Voyage , is more a travel note of two friends canoeing through the regions of France and Belgium in the late 19th Century , their vessels the Arethusa and the Cigarette soon become the names given to each of the travelling companions .
There ’ s little of the how the pair travel , rather more on the why , and what it means to them and those that they encounter . Travel writing at its best the descriptions of the people and the influence they have on forming opinions within the travellers is unique , it ’ s not about the individual penning the story but rather the greater community and the impact it has locally . It ’ s a style lost to a modern world more reliant on personal gain and selfsatisfaction .
An Inland Voyage could be a metaphor for ones self discovery as Stevenson , upon his return home , discovers more about his personal life than what he had prior , realising that perhaps he already had everything he needs , and after all isn ’ t that part of what travel and experiencing other cultures is about ?
Robert Louis Stevenson ’ s An Inland Voyage is a masterpiece of travel writing and one that should still be encouraged today .
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