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  • Near Varna

  • When You've Found You Greener Grass, Part 1
  • By: Graham Field
  • Narrated by: Graham Field
  • Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (31 ratings)
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Near Varna cover art

Near Varna

By: Graham Field
Narrated by: Graham Field
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Summary

Why do we travel, what are we looking for, and will we recognize it if we find it? With the author’s 50th birthday looming, there seemed a need for something significant to happen. Not seeing an expiry date on his birth certificate made it hard to gauge when to have a mid-life crisis, but he’d almost definitely left it too late. 

On Midsummer’s Day, Graham embarked on what he expected to be an unadventurous European tour on a KTM Adventure motorcycle to contemplate the imminent homelessness he was facing. With the feeling that the oyster his world had previously been was now merely resembling a shell of its former self, decisions had to be made. 

This is a tantalizing insight into the mind of a wanderer who found the greener grass that had evaded him over a lifetime of travel. Discovering a place he thought didn’t exist led him to take a reckless gamble based on a gut feeling. This is the author’s fourth published diary, always humorous, insightful, reflective, anecdotal, and, ultimately, brutally honest. 

On first impression, Bulgaria met every need, the best of every country he’d found in his explorations - uncrowded and untamed, with snow-capped mountains and Black Sea beaches, exotic neighbors in Islamic Turkey, sunbaked and bankrupt Greece, mystic Romania, and recently unsettled Serbia. Twenty-five years after the fall of communism, the European Union’s most easterly member felt like a place where East met West. As the summer passed, it soon transpired there was far more to immigrating than simply relocating. Nirvana is a place where, once found, roots grow, and the pace of life slows to seasonal changes. But ties have to be severed before you can unplug, sit back, and watch with wonder as the planet rotates, all whilst trying not to drink too much. 

This book is a welcome return to a style of travel writing that offers the listener something both achievable and inspirational.

©2021 Graham Field (P)2021 Graham Field

What listeners say about Near Varna

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Love Graham's work

Excellent narrative of broad ranging adventure not all scenery and spectacle bit the nitty gritty of living the motorcycle life.
I found the descriptions of book selling and audiobook production really interesting too.

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An entertaining journey to a new life

Graham's relocation to Bulgaria has a number of challenges but help is usually not too far away. Graham is very open about his experiences and not shy in voicing an opinion.
The story is very humorous in places as Graham mocks himself and anything that is even remotely worthy.
I like Graham's worldly wisdom expressed in a down to earth way with simple logic that avoids any idea of pretentiousness.

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Best yet - (and no not written by his mum!)

I confess, I’ve bought Graham’s books before, and so I must have helped to purchase the new gaff in a small way.
This audio book is effectively the same as the author coming into your house and doing a personal reading!
I did consider if to buy ‘living with the marsh Arabs’ or this book this month. No offence to Thesinger but decided to buy Varna instead.
I think this is the authors best book yet and you should buy it.
So why, well I think I can identify with the live and let live attitude , give it a go , things happen for a reason which appear and reappear throughout the story.
So it might not inspire you to sell your home and clear off to some distance land. It might not inspire you to buy a KTM. If nothing else you will can get to sit down with this audio book and just chill.

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The perfect book, possibly the wrong way round !

If you are new to Graham’s books, I might suggest you actually read this one first! You will get to know him, his lifestyle and attitude to life. Having read Graham’s previous books his new one didn’t disappoint. Full of humour, a little sadness and extremely well written. With the author actually narrating his own books that makes the stories more realistic. When Graham describes his house I can see the colours, I’m probably wrong but I paint a picture in my head. When he falls off the bike I winced. (No spoilers don’t worry) 10/10

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Just fun ride along with a bloke that has found his spot in life

Well written , good humour , good music choices and if I’d not ( happily ) had 5 daughters might have been similar to a path I may have chosen 👍

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Another Entertaining Chapter of Graham's Life

Graham's wiritng is very entertaining and he reads the moments with honesty and humer

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Graham just delivers

He transitions from travel writer to diarist, but keeps his tone, delivery and wonderful pros. My favourite author on audiable

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What a life

Listened to this while moving house - made unpacking boxes a joy. Loved it.

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Entertaining, honest and real.

A brilliant listen by one of My favourite authors. A real and honest account.

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Another great book - Thank you !

I love the books by Graham Field, tells life story as it is , told by a normal guy that has experienced epic travel around the world on some great machines . Very refreshing in the new sterile PC world that we now find ourselves in .
Cheers Graham , roll on the next one .

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