Inspiring Adventure by Vertebrate Publishing

In the summer of 2012, a team of six climbers set out to attempt the first ascent of one of the great unclimbed lines of the Himalaya – the giant Mazeno Ridge on Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth highest mountain. At ten kilometres in length, the Mazeno is the longest route to the summit of an 8,000-metre peak. Ten expeditions had tried and failed to climb this enormous ridge. Eleven days later two of the team, Sandy Allan and Rick Allen, both in their late fifties, reached the summit. They had run out of food and water and began hallucinating wildly from the effects of altitude and exhaustion. Heavy snow conditions meant they would need another three days to descend the far side of the ‘killer mountain’.‘I began to wonder whether what we were doing was humanly possible. We had climbed the Mazeno and reached the summit, but we both knew we had wasted too much energy. In among the conflicting emotions, the exhaustion and the elation, we knew our bodies could not sustain this amount of time at altitude indefinitely, especially now we had no water. The slow trickle of attrition had turned into a flood; it was simply a matter of time before our bodies stopped functioning. Which one of us would succumb first?’In Some Lost Place is Sandy Allan’s epic account of an incredible feat of endurance and commitment at the very limits of survival – and the first ascent of one of the last challenges in the Himalaya.AUDIOBOOK AVAILABLE HERE and also available as an ebook: Kindle UK Kindle USKobo iTunes Google Play

We are all climbing where we are and with the gear we use in no small part due to Tony Howard’s quest for adventure.Tony Howard rose to fame in 1965 as a member of a group of young climbers from northern England who made the first British ascent of Norway’s Troll Wall; a climb described by Joe Brown as, ‘One of the greatest ever achievements by British rock climbers’. Tony went on to design the modern sit harness, now used universally by every climber in the world. He founded the company Troll Climbing Equipment but never stopped exploring. Quest into the Unknown is his story.Tony has dedicated his life to travelling the world in search of unclimbed rock faces and remote trekking adventures. The scale of his travels is vast: he has visited all of the North African countries, much of the Arab land of the Middle East, the mountainous regions of Scandinavia, Canada and the rocky spine of the Americas, the Himalaya, remote Indian provinces, South East Asia, Madagascar, South Georgia and Antarctica. This book, the last word in adventure travel, takes the reader from Tony’s youth spent developing the crags of the English Peak District, via whaling ships in the Southern Ocean, thousand-mile canoe trips in the Canadian Arctic, living amongst the Bedouin in the rocky mountains of Jordan, to the isolated opium tribes of Thailand.Tony Howard’s Quest into the Unknown is the jaw-dropping account of a life of adventure that is the very definition of true exploration.AUDIOBOOK AVAILABLEAlso available as an ebook:Kindle UK Kindle USKobo iTunesGoogle Play

‘When an accident occurs, something may emerge of lasting value, for the human spirit may rise to its greatest heights. This happened on Haramosh.’The Last Blue Mountain is the heart-rending true story of the 1957 expedition to Mount Haramosh in the Karakoram range in Pakistan. With the summit beyond reach, four young climbers are about to return to camp. Their brief pause to enjoy the view and take photographs is interrupted by an avalanche which sweeps Bernard Jillott and John Emery hundreds of feet down the mountain into a snow basin. Miraculously, they both survive the fall. Rae Culbert and Tony Streather risk their own lives to rescue their friends, only to become stranded alongside them.The group’s efforts to return to safety are increasingly desperate, hampered by injury, exhaustion and the loss of vital climbing gear. Against the odds, Jillott and Emery manage to climb out of the snow basin and head for camp, hoping to reach food, water and assistance in time to save themselves and their companions from an icy grave. But another cruel twist of fate awaits them.An acclaimed mountaineering classic in the same genre as Touching the Void, Ralph Barker’s The Last Blue Mountain is an epic tale of friendship and fortitude in the face of tragedy.We published 200 special edition hardback copies of The Last Blue Mountain in March 2020, signed by Ed Douglas, author of the 2020 Introduction, and numbered. This special edition hardback offer is available exclusively from our website on a first-come, first-served basis for £24 per copy inc. UK P&P. The trade paperback edition of The Last Blue Mountain will also be published in March 2020 and will be available to purchase at the same time for £12.99 inc. UK P&P.AUDIOBOOK AVAILABLE HERE Also available as an ebook:Kindle UK Kindle USKoboiTunesGoogle Play

'Even the most casual reader among you will by now have worked out that the whole thing is little more than a delightful ruse for having a very good time.'Experienced climber Charles Sherwood is on a quest to find the best climb on each continent. He eschews the traditional Seven Summits, where height alone is the determining factor, and instead considers mountaineering challenge, natural beauty and historical context, aiming to capture the diverse character of each continent and the sheer variety of climbing in all its forms.The author's ambitious odyssey takes him to the Alps, the Himalaya, Yosemite, the Andes, Kenya, New Zealand and South Georgia. His goal is neither to seek glory nor to complete a box-ticking exercise, but simply to enjoy himself in the company of his fellow climbers, including Mark Seaton, Andy Kirkpatrick and Stephen Venables, and to appreciate the splendour of his surroundings. On classic routes like the North Face of the Eiger and the Nose on El Capitan, it is hard not to be swept away by Sherwood's unfaltering enthusiasm.Also featuring fascinating historical detail about each route, Seven Climbs is a compelling account of Sherwood's efforts to answer a much-debated question: which are the world’s greatest climbs?Coming soon as an ebook (Kindle UK, Kindle US, Kobo, iTunes and Google Play)

‘It’s a preposterous plan. Still, if you do get up it, it’ll be the hardest thing that’s been done in the Himalayas.’So spoke Chris Bonington when Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker presented him with their plan to tackle the unclimbed West Wall of Changabang – the Shining Mountain – in 1976. Bonington’s was one of the more positive responses; most felt the climb impossibly hard, especially for a two-man, lightweight expedition. This was, after all, perhaps the most fearsome and technically challenging granite wall in the Garhwal Himalaya and an ascent – particularly one in a lightweight style – would be more significant than anything done on Everest at the time.The idea had been Joe Tasker’s. He had photographed the sheer, shining, white granite sweep of Changabang’s West Wall on a previous expedition and asked Pete to return with him the following year. Tasker contributes a second voice throughout Boardman’s story, which starts with acclimatisation, sleeping in a Salford frozen food store, and progresses through three nights of hell, marooned in hammocks during a storm, to moments of exultation at the variety and intricacy of the superb, if punishingly difficult, climbing. It is a story of how climbing a mountain can become an all-consuming goal, of the tensions inevitable in forty days of isolation on a two-man expedition; as well as a record of the moment of joy upon reaching the summit ridge against all odds.First published in 1978, The Shining Mountain is Peter Boardman’s first book. It is a very personal and honest story that is also amusing, lucidly descriptive, very exciting, and never anything but immensely readable. It was awarded the John Llewelyn Rhys Prize for literature in 1979, winning wide acclaim. His second book, Sacred Summits, was published shortly after his death in 1982.Audiobook available, and also available as an ebook:Kindle UKKindle USKoboiTunesGoogle Play

This week's episode features a chapter from the award winning Tides by Nick Bullock. Winner: Mountain Literature Award, Banff Mountain Book Festival 2018Shortlisted for the 2018 Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain LiteratureNick Bullock is a climber who lives in a small green van, flitting between Llanberis, Wales, and Chamonix in the French Alps. Tides, Nick’s second book, is the much-anticipated follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut Echoes.Now retired from the strain of work as a prison officer, Nick is free to climb. A lot. Tides is a treasury of his antics and adventures with some of the world’s leading climbers, including Steve House, Kenton Cool, Nico Favresse, Andy Houseman and James McHaffie. Follow Nick and his partners as they push the limits on some of the world’s most serious routes: The Bells! The Bells! on Gogarth’s North Stack Wall; the Slovak Direct on Denali; Guerdon Grooves on Buachaille Etive Mor; and the north faces of Chang Himal and Mount Alberta, among countless others.Nick’s life can be equated to the rhythm of the sea. At high tide, he climbs, he loves it, he is good at it; he laughs and jokes, scares himself, falls, gets back up and climbs some more. Then the tide goes out and he finds himself alone, exposed, all questions and no answers. Self-doubt, grieving for friends or family, fearful, sometimes opinionated, occasionally angry – his writing more honest and exposed than in any account of a climb. Only when the tide turns is he able to forget once more.Tides is a gripping memoir that captures the very essence of what it means to dedicate one’s life to climbing.

Welcome to Episode 30, the final chapter of the Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!I have loved reading to you everyday, and I hope you've really enjoyed the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. These episodes will continue to be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast and via our website.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website as well as the sequel, Popcorn-Eating Squirrels Go Nuts on Everest. Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 29 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 28 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

In 1986, the legendary fell runner Joss Naylor completed a continuous circuit of all 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District, covering a staggering distance of over 300 miles – plus many thousands of metres of ascent – in only seven days and one hour.Those in the know thought that this record would never be beaten. It is the ultimate British ultramarathon. The person taking on this superhuman challenge would have to be willing to push harder and suffer more than ever before. There is No Map in Hell tells the story of a man willing to do just that.In 2014, Steve Birkinshaw made an attempt at setting a new record. With a background of nearly forty years of running elite orienteering races and extreme-distance fell running over the toughest terrain, if he couldn’t do it, surely no one could. But the Wainwrights challenge is in a different league: aspirants need to complete two marathons and over 5,000 metres of ascent every day for a week.With a foreword by Joss Naylor, There is No Map in Hell recounts Birkinshaw’s preparation, training and mile-by-mile experience of the extraordinary and sometimes hellish demands he made of his mind and body, and the physiological aftermath of such a feat. His deep love of the fells, phenomenal strength and tenacity are awe inspiring, and testimony to athletes and onlookers alike that ‘in order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd’.You can get the audiobook and ebook via links belowKindle UKKindle USAKoboNookAUDIOBOOK AVAILABLE

Welcome to Episode 27 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 26 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 25 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 24 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 23 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 22 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 21 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

The wonderful John D. Burns reads an extract from Wild Country - The man who made Friends. In early 1978, an extraordinary new invention for rock climbers was featured on the BBC television science show Tomorrow's World. It was called the 'Friend', and it not only made the sport safer, it helped push the limits of the possible. The company that made them was called Wild Country, the brainchild of Mark Vallance. Within six months, Vallance was selling Friends in sixteen countries. Wild Country would go on to develop much of the gear that transformed climbing in the 1980s. Mark Vallance's influence on the outdoor world extends far beyond the company he founded. He owned and opened the influential retailer Outside in the Peak District and was part of the team that built The Foundry, Sheffield's premier climbing wall - the first modern climbing gym in Britain. He worked for the Peak District National Park and served on its board. He even found time to climb eight-thousand-metre peaks and the Nose on El Capitan. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in his mid fifties and robbed of his plans for retirement, Vallance found a new sense of purpose as a reforming president of the British Mountaineering Council.In Wild Country, Vallance traces his story, from childhood influences like Robin Hodgkin and Sir Jack Longland, to two years in Antarctica, where he was base commander of the UK's largest and most southerly scientific station at Halley Bay, before his fateful meeting with Ray Jardine, the man who invented Friends, in Yosemite. Trenchant, provocative and challenging, Wild Country is a remarkable personal story and a fresh perspective on the role of the outdoors in British life and the development of climbing in its most revolutionary phase. Mark Vallance (1945–2018), the man who made Friends. ***John D. Burns is a bestselling and award-winning mountain writer who has spent over forty years exploring Britain’s mountains. Originally from Merseyside, he moved to Inverness over thirty years ago to follow his passion for the hills. He is a past member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and has walked and climbed in the American and Canadian Rockies, Kenya, the Alps and the Pyrenees. John began writing more than fifteen years ago, and at first found an outlet for his creativity as a performance poet. He has taken one-man plays to the Edinburgh Fringe and toured them widely around theatres and mountain festivals in the UK. It is the combination of John’s love of the outdoors with his passion for writing and performance that makes him a uniquely powerful storyteller. His first two books, The Last Hillwalker and Bothy Tales, were both shortlisted for TGO Magazine’s Outdoor Book of the Year. His third book, Sky Dance, is published in 2019. He continues to develop his career as a writer, blogger and outdoor storyteller while exploring the wild places he loves.

Welcome to Episode 20 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 19 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 18 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 17 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 16 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 15 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 14 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Helen Mort is a writer, trail runner and climber who lives in Sheffield. She teaches creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, and her published work includes poetry, fiction and non-fiction, with a particular interest in women and mountaineering. Her first poetry collection, Division Street (Chatto & Windus, 2013), was shortlisted for the Costa Prize and the T.S. Eliot Prize, and won the Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. In 2015, Helen was chosen as one of the Next Generation poets. Her first novel, Black Car Burning (Chatto & Windus, 2019), was longlisted for the Portico Prize and the Dylan Thomas Prize. Helen is the author of Lake District Trail Running (Vertebrate, 2016) and editor of Waymaking (Vertebrate, 2018); and she has written for Alpinist, Climb, the Guardian, the Independent and Radio 3. In 2017, she was a judge for the Man Booker International Prize and chair of judges for the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature. She was a judge for the 2019 Banff Mountain Book Prize. She has lived with a variety of dogs, but thinks a house is not a home without a whippet, which leads us to Helen's latest title Never Leave the Dog Behind which explores the relationship between people, dogs and the great outdoors. The book comprises interviews with dog owners and experiences with a variety of dogs as well as the author’s own observations as a runner, (initially nervous) dog owner and poet.We’re offering a unique opportunity to have a photo of you and your dog printed in Helen's latest narrative, Never Leave the Dog Behind: Our love of dogs and mountains. Visit our Kickstarter for more details.

Welcome to Episode 13 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 12 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 11 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 10 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 9 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 8 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 7 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Martin Boysen reads a short extract from one of his contributions to climbing classic, Hard Rock, followed by compiler of the new edition, Ian Parnell, reading his favourite essay from the book, Great Wall by Ed Drummond.We're still shipping books out directly from our office in Sheffield so head over to our website and enjoy the 30% site-wide discount: www.v-publishing.co.uk

Welcome to Episode 6 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 5 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday there will be a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen.Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 4 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday Rae will be reading a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen. Send us your drawings of Salty, Cassie, Ben and Alfie to rae@v-publishing.co.uk and we'll feature our favourites on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 3 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday Rae will be reading a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen. ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to Episode 2 of the brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast!Everyday Rae will be reading a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day.You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen. ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

Welcome to our brand new Shrine Bell Story Time podcast! Everyday Rae will be reading a new chapter of the “poptastic” Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson. The special episodes will be available on the Inspiring Adventure Podcast, via our website and on our YouTube channel from 5pm every day. You can buy Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite by Matt Dickinson from the Shrine Bell website to read along or simply snuggle down and listen. ***Everyone knows that squirrels love nuts, right?Wrong!When three young squirrels meet Salty – a grumpy, greedy old squirrel, addicted to popcorn – they become tangled up in a magical adventure that is to change their lives forever.But what will become of Ben, Cassie and Alfie when the evil honey badgers show up? Will the three friends survive an unexpected tumble in the Pop-O-Matic 3000?Popcorn-Eating Squirrels of the World Unite! by bestselling children’s author Matt Dickinson is a funny, non-stop action-adventure story about four squirrels who dive in to all sorts of mischief and chaos in the pursuit of a delicious new foodstuff: popcorn. Making friends, battling enemies and overcoming obstacles along the way, this is a story for children who like to be thrilled with every page turn.

This week we're breaking from the normal structure in light of the changed working environment we're faced with due to the current global Coronavirus pandemic. So instead of an interview based episode here we have John D. Burns reading an extract from his book Bothy Tales.Bothy Talesis John's follow-up to The Last Hillwalker and contains tales from remote glens deep in the Scottish Highlands – some dramatic, some moving, some hilarious – from the isolated mountain shelters called bothies. We're still shipping books from our office in Sheffield so nip onto our website and take advantage of the site wide spring sale giving you 30% off! For the coming period we will be reducing our YouTube content but increasing the frequency of our Podcasts, so instead of waiting a fortnight, our next podcast episode is released next week!If you’ve got any feedback on the podcast, or suggestions for topics to cover or people you’d like to hear from, please drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk

This week Rae is again joined by open-water and wild swimmer Suzanna Cruickshank.Suzanna’s book Swimming Wild in the Lake District is published on Thursday 2 April and provides a definitive guide to open-water swimming in the Lakes. Suzanna is a qualified guide and has her own business leading swimming sessions in her beloved Lake District and beyond! If you have a wild swimming story you’d like to share drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk and I might just feature you on a future episode or blog. All featured submissions will get a voucher code for the VP website. Swimming Wild in the Lake District will be the second title in our range of slow tourism guides, following the hugely successful Scottish Island Bagging, and in the summer we’ll be adding The Beaches of Wales. These guides invite you to experience these places in an in-depth, immersive manner. If we’ve tempted you to try a bit of open-water swimming yourself, get on to the website to pre-order with a 20% discount; and don’t forget that Suzanna has group-swim events up on her website, so head over to suzannaswims.co.uk to book your place!If you’ve got any feedback on the podcast, or suggestions for topics to cover or people you’d like to hear from, please drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk Our next episode is due on Thursday 26 March, and will feature conversations with the team involved in publishing the new edition of iconic climbing book; Hard Rock.

This week Rae interviewed Nick Cotton, Mountain Biking guide author. Vertebrate’s Mountain Biking Guides are one of our most popular series, with over a dozen titles and more on the horizon. Nick Cotton has contributed four titles to the series, with a further title in our collection of Cycling books, Traffic-Free Cycle Trails. Nick is a seasoned guidebook author, and the five titles he’s produced with Vertebrate only represent a small portion of his forty-plus guides from the last twenty years. He has ridden over 30,000 miles in research, trekked extensively, climbed over 5,000 metres on three continents, and cycled all over the world. If this is your thing too why not send me a quick email about your latest or favourite adventure on two wheels and I’ll give you a shout-out on an upcoming episode or feature you on our blog.Nick’s passion for the outdoors and exploring on two wheels is quite infectious. So do share your bike adventures with us by using the hashtag #inspiringadventure on Instagram and Twitter. I’ll share our favourites on our blog or upcoming show notes. Meanwhile, if you need more bikes on your podcast have a listen to Episode 8, which features endurance cyclist Emily Chappell with some advice about getting into cycling.All of Nick’s titles with Vertebrate are available on our website, including the pre-order of Traffic-Free Cycle Trails which will be publishing in April, and the newly released Yorkshire Dales Mountain Biking. We always love to hear from you, so if you drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk you’ll get a special discount code for the website as a thank you. In the next episode I’ll be chatting again with Suzanna Cruickshank about her epiphany in Crummack Water that led to her writing Swimming Wild in the Lake District, and life with her gorgeous but antisocial Jack Russell, Rosie.Book recommendations:The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-GarrardTravels in Alaska by John MuirTouching the Void by Joe SimpsonWilding by Isabella TreeInspirational people:Fridtjof NansenMike StroudRanulph FiennesJesse OwensJoss Naylor (features in There Is No Map In Hell)Ernest Shackleton

This week Rae has been speaking with two authors; Paul Webster and Deirdre Huston, who've both written for the highly regarded Day Walks series. Paul Webster co-founded the UK’s busiest walking website; Walkhighlands, with his wife Helen in 2006. This year they will publish Day Walks in the Cairngorms and Day Walks in Fort William & Glen Coe. Paul is an award winning photographer and responsible for most of the stunning photographs found in these books.Deirdre Huston is an award winning writer, film maker and photographer. She’s authored five titles with Vertebrate Publishing. The second edition of Day Walks on the South Downs is published in March and, as with all Day Walks books, has been updated and revised to keep it as current and accurate as possible. Pre-order Day Walks on the South Downs and Day Walks in the Cairngorms get 20% discount up until their publication on 5 March. Tell me all about your Day Walks adventures by dropping me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk and I’ll respond with a discount code and you might even get a shout out in a future episode! And sign up to our newsletter at v-publishing.co.ukOur next episode will feature Mountain Bike guide writer, Nick Cotton.LINKSDay Walks in the Cairngorms by Helen and Paul WebsterDay Walks on the South Downs by Deirdre HustonScottish Island Bagging by Helen and Paul WebsterDay Walks on the High Weald by Deirdre HustonSussex Walks by Deidre HustonCycling Days Out - South East England by Deirdre HustonCycling in Sussex by Deirdre Huston and Marina BullivantWalkhighlands Website, Facebook, Twitter, InstagramDeirdre Huston’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Podcast Ep 1 - Scottish Island Bagging - Buzzsprout and YouTubeRamblers AssociationMountaineering ScotlandThe Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain LiteratureWaterstones EventsSaddlescombe FarmPaul’s book recommendations:Clear Waters Rising: A Mountain Walk Across Europe by Nicholas CraneSacred Summits by Peter BoardmanSky Dance by John D. BurnsDeirdre’s book recommendations:In the Shadow of Man by Jane GoodallWaymakingWild About Cornwall by David ChapmanThe Island Child by Molly AitkenMy Name is Why by Lemn Sissay

Episode 10 of the Inspiring Adventure podcast, this week Rae is joined by the award winning YA author Sarah Mussi.Sarah grew up in the Cotswolds and spent fifteen years in West Africa, so she’s no stranger to adventure and exploration. She writes thrillers and fantasy for both children and young adults, and she and her books have received much acclaim: second place in the BBC Worldwide Children’s Talent Fiction Award, the Glen Dimplex Children’s Book of the Year, and shortlisted for both the Branford Boase Award and the Lewisham Book Award. We’re eagerly awaiting the publication of Sarah’s next book, Here Be Wizards, which will complete the Snowdonia Chronicles. This trilogy follows Ellie Morgan’s adventures in the remote and mythical Snowdonian landscape; the search for true love, battles of good and evil, spells and potions, dragons, legends and the Fae lands. Here be Wizards is due out on 6 February, so do grab the chance to pre-order for a 20% discount by heading to shrinebell.com or v-publishing.co.uk before next week! If you haven’t already got the first two books in the Snowdonia Chronicles trilogy, Here be Dragons and Here be Witches, I’d recommend you get them while they’re on 2 for 1 on the Vertebrate Publishing website. Sarah gave us some amazing reading recommendations and if you fancy checking any of them out browse the links below.Out of Africa by Karen BlixenThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisHis Dark Materials by Philip PullmanNineteen Eighty-Four by George OrwellThe Messenger Bird by Ruth EasthamThe Everest Files by Matt Dickinson (first of trilogy, succeeded by North Face and Killer Storm)The Dark is Rising by Susan CooperThe Bond by Simon McCartneyOne Day As A Tiger by John PorterIf you’ve got any feedback on the podcast, or suggestions for topics to cover or people you’d like to hear from please drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk and I’ll respond with a discount code to say thanks!Our next episode will delve into the highly popular Day Walks series and I’ll be joined by Paul Webster, co-author of Day Walks in the Cairngorms, and Deirdre Huston, author of Day Walks on the South Downs, both due out in March. So tune in to find out what goes into producing a Day Walks guide and what makes a guide author tick. Sarah’s website, facebook and twitter

Inspiring Adventure from Vertebrate Publishing - the podcast that connects you to the great outdoors through literature.Episode 9 Rae is joined by Tough Girl Challenges founder and podcast host Sarah Williams, who fast packed the Appalachian Trial in 100 days.Sarah set up Tough Girl Challenges as a way of inspiring and motivating women and girls. She hosts the award-winning Tough Girl Podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of inspirational female explorers, adventurers and athletes.Sarah is no stranger to challenges of her own. In 2016 she took on the Marathon des Sables, which comprises six marathons across the Sahara desert. The following year she tackled the incredible Appalachian Trial. In 2018 she cycled from Vancouver in Canada down the Pacific Coast Highway to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Last year she walked the Camino Portugues and the Lycian Way. So just ready yourself for a major serving of inspiration!To read more about Sarah’s other challenges and watch her videos you can delve into her adventures over on her website, toughgirlchallenges.com, or tune into her podcast to hear about other incredible women doing incredible things, The Tough Girl Podcast. Sarah is a firm believer is sharing the word when it comes to the achievements of women who are taking on incredible challenges, and has featured a number of the Fantastic Female Adventurers from Lily Dyu’s children’s book on her podcast. In terms of my 100 day challenge, keep tuning in to find out more. Over the coming weeks I’ll be sharing my plans as they form, and ultimately I will be sharing the progress of the challenge via instagram!If you’ve got any feedback on the podcast, or suggestions for topics to cover or people you’d like to hear from please drop Rae an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk and she'll send you a 20% discount code for the Vertebrate Publishing websiteOur next episode is due on Thursday 30 January and I’ll be welcoming back Helen and Paul Webster, who featured in our very first episode. This time they’ll be telling us more about walking in Scotland, especially the Cairngorms which feature in their next title, Day Walks in the Cairngorms. Before then you can always nip over to our YouTube channel to see our latest video with Pete Whittaker.Join the conversation by searching for Vertebrate Publishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or sign up for our newsletter at v-publishing.co.uk

This is a compilation of four interviews with pros from the worlds of walking, running, cycling and climbing to help fuel your inspiration for some potential New Year's resolutions. Sim Benson - WalkingSim Benson and his wife Jen are passionate about exploring wild places, whether they're running through the mountains, walking the National Trails or climbing on their local Dartmoor granite. In 2015 they spent a year living under canvas in Britain with their two young children. Adventure PlacesDay Walks GuidebooksThe Ramblers AssociationThe Long Distance Walkers AssociationThe Ordinance Survey Locate AppScottish Island BaggingEmily Chappell - CyclingWe met Emily through the Buxton Adventure Festival. She's a London cycle courier turned endurance and adventure cyclist and has written books about her cycling experiences.That Emily ChappellHighway CodeBikeabilityCycling GuidebooksCharles Sherwood - ClimbingCharles has a combined thirty-year career in the risk capital industry with a love of adventure sports. He has climbed all over the world and is writing Seven Climbs (due for release in May 2020) about his best climbs on each continent.Inspiring Adventure YouTube PlaylistClimbing GuidebooksThe Alpine ClubThe British Mountaineering CouncilSteve Franklin - RunningA relative latecomer to the sport, Steve started running after a rock climbing injury left him unable to climb. Steve lives in Sheffield and regularly heads back to North Wales for extended trips to run and climb. In 2014 he completed the Paddy Buckley Round (104 kilometres and 8,500 metres of ascent and descent in under twenty-four hours). Running GuidebooksCouch to 5k AppPark RunFell RunnerrunABCIf you have any feedback or suggestions, please drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk and I'll thank you with a 20% off voucher for the Vertebrate Publishing website. Next Episode: Rae chats with Sarah Williams (founder of Tough Girl Challenges and host of the Tough Girl Podcast) about Sarah's 100 day Appalachian Trial challenge. Due 16 January.In the meantime, join the conversation by searching for Vertebrate Publishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or sign up for our newsletter.

Episode 7 features extracts from Waymaking read by your regular host, Rae, and guest author, Jen Benson.Waymaking is an anthology of prose, poetry and artwork by women who are inspired by wild places, adventure and landscape. This year is won the Jon Whyte Award for Non Fiction Mountain Literature in the Banff Mountain Book Competition.The artists who contributed to the Waymaking anthology are continuing the legacy of Gwen Moffat and Nan Shepherd, redressing the balance of gender in outdoor adventure literature. Readers are urged to stop and engage their senses in this inspiring and pivotal work. Through the Snow (Winter 2010) by Judith BrownJudith Brown has lived in the Lake District for thirty years, nurturing her passions: mountaineering, the natural world, history, t’ai chi and writing. Landscape and history are her key inspirations. She believes they form an important part of who we are. She finds how people interact with them physically, emotionally and spiritually endlessly fascinating. A founder member of Women Mountains Words, she has published articles and stories, including a collection shortlisted for the 2007 Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature.Snow by Bernadette McDonaldBernadette McDonald is the author of ten mountaineering books, including the multi-award-winning Art of Freedom, (Mountain Literature Award at the Banff Mountain Book Festival, the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature and the National Outdoor Book Award for Biography). Her other mountaineering titles include Tomaž Humar, Brotherhood of the Rope: The Biography of Charles Houston, Freedom Climbers, Keeper of the Mountains: The Elizabeth Hawley Story, and Alpine Warriors. She has also received the Alberta Order of Excellence, the Summit of Excellence Award and the King Albert Award for international leadership in mountain culture and environment. She was the founding vice-president of Mountain culture at the Banff Centre and served as director of the Banff mountain festivals from 1988–2006. Counterflow by Jen BensonJen Benson is a full-time writer, full-time athlete and full-time mum. She usually co-authors with husband, Sim, and their books include two of the Day Walks series from Vertebrate (Devon and Cornwall); The Adventurer's Guide to Britain; Amazing Family Adventures; and Wild Running. Jen and Sim write about nature, families, sport and adventures and also take all their own photos, usually with their two young children just out of shot. In 2015 they spent a year living under canvas, exploring Britain's national parks and wild places.If have any feedback or suggestions please drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk and I'll thank you with a 20% off voucher for the Vertebrate Publishing website. Next Episode: New Year’s Resolutions, featuring with interviews from pros in the worlds of cycling, climbing, walking and running. Due 2 January.In the meantime, join the conversation by searching for Vertebrate Publishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or sign up for our newsletter.

This is the podcast that connects you to the great outdoors through literature.Episode 6 This week Rae is joined by open water and wild swimmer, Suzanna Cruickshank.Suzanna moved to Cumbria in 2008 and soon caught the bug for swimming outdoors. In 2016 she set up Suzanna Swims to help others access wild places by immersing themselves in open water. Whether you want to dip your toe in a tarn, float down a river or swim across a lake – Suzanna is your woman! Suzanna is currently putting the finishing touches to her book, Swimming Wild in the Lake District, in which she vividly describes her wild swimming experiences and brings the characteristics of each Lake - due out in April with pre-orders opening in the New Year. Swimming Wild in the Lake District will follow the style of Scottish Island Bagging (featured in our very first episode) with stunning photography, practical information and overview maps to give you all you need for a cool dip (apart from the cossie!). It has plenty to offer anyone dipping their toe in this sport, but it isn't just for novices, it has plenty to offer for more experienced swimmers, including pointers towards tranquil hidden gems and the best pubs and cafes for the the much needed post-swim refreshment. To join Suzanna on one of her group swims or book a 1:1 session visit suzannaswims.co.uk If you have feedback on the podcast, or suggestions for topics or guests drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk

Pete is one half of the Wide Boyz duo, crack climber extraordinaire and now, author. He’s taken a brief break in signing pre-ordered copies of his first book, Crack Climbing, to answer some quick-fire questions from his Instagram followers. Our plan for Jerry Moffatt to put Pete under the spotlight was foiled by the challenge of co-ordinating the diaries of two of the best climbers in the world today, so you’ll have to settle for me as the voice of Instagram instead.Pete has just returned from a stint out in Yosemite where he completed seven walls in seven days with fellow climber Sean Warren. Each wall needed to be completed in under ten hours to allow them enough rest between climbs. You’ll be glad to know they achieved their goals, scaling El Cap’s Lurking Fear in nine hours, Leaning Tower’s West Face in five hours, Mount Watkins’ South Face in seven and a half hours, Washington Column’s 10 Days After in eight and a half hours, Half Dome’s Regular North-West Face in six and a half hours, Liberty Cap’s South-West Face in six hours and finally Lost Arrow Spire in seven hours fifty mins. Somehow in between his big week in Yosemite and heading up to Kendal Mountain Festival Pete managed to sign over 700 pre-ordered copies of his first book, Crack Climbing, and squeeze in this fun Q&A filled with questions from his followers on Instagram.If you’re keen to improve your climbing you can head over to our website (v-publishing.co.uk) to order yourself a copy of Crack Climbing; and if you’re really up for expanding your climbing repertoire by opting for our 3 for 2 bundle offer, which features Pete’s book as well as 1001 Climbing Tips by Andy Kirkpatrick and Mastermind by Jerry Moffatt, you’ll be scaling El Cap yourself before long.If you’ve got any feedback on the podcast, or suggestions for topics to cover or people you’d like to hear from please drop me an email at rae@v-publishing.co.uk Our next episode comes out in a fortnight (our last one before Christmas on 12 December) where I’m chatting with Suzanna Cruickshank about her upcoming book, Swimming Wild in the Lake District. If that’s too long a wait then why not pop over to YouTube to catch our interview between Jon Barton and Jerry Moffatt which comes out next week. In the meantime, join the conversation by searching for Vertebrate Publishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or sign up for our newsletter at v-publishing.co.uk

John D. Burns is a mountaineer, storyteller and author. His first two books, The Last Hillwalker and Bothy Tales, were self-published bestsellers and were both shortlisted for TGO Magazine’s Outdoor Book of the Year. Earlier this year John joined Vertebrate Publishing with a three book deal to produce new paperback editions of The Last Hillwalker and Bothy Tales alongside his latest title, the novel Sky Dance, all published in September. John is currently working on his next title, Wild Winter, which is due to be published in Autumn 2020. John is a gifted storyteller and his performance poetry and one-man plays have taken him across the country from the Edinburgh Fringe to mountain festivals, bookshops to theatres and back again. His passion for the hills, mountaineering, bothies and keeping ’The Great Outdoors’ great and accessible to all is clear and infectious.I met John at the incredible independent Nottingham bookshop, Five Leaves, just before one of his events to chat about his life in wild and wonderful places, the lure of snow and how both of these influence his writing.Sky Dance is John’s first novel. It is a gripping read and view into the beauty of rural and wild Scotland, but also delves into the politics of land ownership, raptor persecution and conservation, challenging readers to face issues that surround the protection and access to some of the UK’s last wild places. To read it for yourself you can order signed copies from www.v-publishing.co.uk where we’re running a 30% off sitewide deal until Sunday 17 November, or keep an eye out for other offers in the run up to Christmas, including a 3 for 2 on all John’s titles. We’ll be back again in a fortnight, with an interview between two climbing legends; Jerry Moffatt and Pete Whittaker – be sure to join us for that. Buy Sky DanceVisit John's websiteFind Five Leaves BookshopRead the Walkhighlands interview with John D. BurnsRead or listen to Sky Dance by getting the ebook or audiobook