A Year in Green Tea and Tuk-Tuks: My unlikely adventure creating an eco farm in Sri Lanka

Description

BBC journalist and environmentalist Rory Spowers wanted to finally live his dream and abandon life in London for a more ecologically sustainable lifestyle. Moving with his wife and two toddler sons to a 60-acre abandoned tea estate in Sri Lanka, Rory sets out to create a model organic farm there and earn his livelihood from the land. The fascinating story begins with the tsunami and Rory's sudden involvement with the relief efforts, and charts the course of his adventures over 12 months culminating in the launch of his new business (making a living by selling the produce he grows). It chronicles the highs and lows of this radical change, and reveals what it takes to live a sustainable life. It will also include tips for those of you who wish to live a more environmentally friendly life. Spowers' writing in 'Three Men on a Bike', which recounted his story of buying the Goodies' bicycle and riding it across Africa for charity, was compared with Bryson, Palin and Hawks' for his storytelling, humour and intrepid spirit. Spowers' narrative brims with adventure, harrowing moments, and small triumphs as he comes to know the people and the land and works toward creating his dream of a sustainable, model forest garden.

Rory Spowers, 38, is an environmental writer and broadcaster whose last book, Rising Tides, was critically acclaimed by The Sunday Times, The Observer and a variety of magazines. Rory also has a background as a travel writer and has presented various BBC R4 programmes. He previously worked as a researcher, developing environmental documentaries for TV. In 2002, Rory co-founded The Web of Hope (WoH) (www.thewebofhope.com), a UK registered charity compiling an expanding on-line database of role models for sustainability, social justice and positive change. This database provides the basis for an educational roadshow performed in schools. Since moving to Sri Lanka in March 2004, Rory has continued his editorial role within WoH and directed his energy towards the development of Samagama, transforming an abandoned tea estate into an ecological learning centre and eco-tourism destination. Rory is also a Director of Rainforest Rescue International (RRI) (www.rain4est.org), the only environmental NGO operating in south Sri Lanka.

"Rory Spowers writes with candour and wit about the agony and ecstasy of trying to live the green dream with his young family in an abandoned Sri Lankan tea plantation...Inspiring stuff." Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall "This is a book of great charm and warmth that captures perfectly the restless spirit of all of us. I heartily recommend it." Tim Smit, co-founder of The Eden Project