Break-out at Sixty-five

From the Great Wall of China, to the Rockies, to sipping rum punches while watching England cricketers at play in the West Indies, Percy Salmon's account of his wanderings is the captivating tale of an 'ordinary tourist'. Package-tour traveller he may be, but his excursions are far from ordinary. Never afraid to leave his fellow travellers and set out by himself, be it by local bus or taxi, or simply through a knock at some stranger's front door, Percy Salmon is an explorer par excellence. His acute eye for observation, coupled with his sense of sheer enjoyment and ability to make instant friendships with total strangers, makes for a series of travel tales that are quite unique. Never afraid to ask questions, Percy's observations range from working out feats of engineering to admiring a plant or a group of termites at work. Getting on in years, and not without a few aches and pains, Percy is no moaner, no Victor Meldrew. In fact, he is the complete opposite -- a lover of life, appreciative of everything he sees, and determined to enjoy every single moment he has.
This book offers a joyous and appreciative tour through life and its riches, and should be prescribed as compulsory reading for anyone who needs cheering up.