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

by Elspeth Bradbury

Overview

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 this is an inspiring book of 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.

With a fresh dose of curiosity and a firm resolve to take her time, Elspeth invites the reader to join her as she ventures out to see the world as it resides in her own backyard. Her tentative efforts to learn the art 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. Her elegant pen-and-ink drawings enrich the prose and add an extra layer of information.

A beautiful gift book for travellers, gardeners and those looking for solace in our overwhelming and relentlessly-fast-paced digital world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781553807254
Publisher:	Ronsdale Press
Publication date:	08/25/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	246
File size:	29 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

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 gardening magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Canadian Gardening, Gardens West, Harrowsmith and Atlantic Advocate. She has written and illustrated columns for The Beacon and in 2019 the Ferry Building Gallery presented WILD LIFE, a solo exhibition of her paintings and poetry.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Elspeth’s previous books:

“One truly enters the lives of these women and feels the rhythm of their days. A most refreshing read for both keen gardeners and amateurs.” —Globe and Mail

“They convey a humble amazement at gardeners’ energy and a deep respect for the perennial passion to plant, order, and care for reluctant ground. Finishing their book, the reader will reach at once for the telephone to order a load of compost.” —Quill and Quire

“An absorbing look at the familiar denizens of a garden that will appeal to gardeners and nature lovers.” —Library Journal

“Each short, well-written chapter (also well illustrated by Bradbury) offers readers yet another subject to ponder, all giving gardeners a good sense of why their plantings are the world’s oyster.” —American Library Association

“Bradbury takes readers on a journey to those places that are so near and dear to our hearts, but which we may have forgotten about in the noise and chaos and pressures of life.” —Natalie Virginia Lang, The British Columbia Review

“I loved this book. Inspiring, timely, and charming, I savoured each exquisite journey.” - Beth Powning, bestselling author of The Sister's Tale

“Elspeth Bradbury’s entertaining tales show us that adventure and discovery can be as close as a nearby garden. A gentle, happy book that entices us to keep reading.” - Norma Dixon, author of In Deep with the Octopus

 "Bradbury’s gentle humour and perceptive words are exactly what I needed in this time of raucous ranting.” - Nancy Bauer, author of the story collection Hammering at the Door

From the Publisher