Buried in the greenhouse at the bottom of the Garden was treasure.  Real life, buried in a bag, treasure.  The short and somewhat simple treasure hunt had lead me to the muggy, funny smelling greenhouse; promises of a 'really cool' present from my Dad had gotten me this far.  I was twelve years old.  Or eleven.  Young enough to still appreciate hidden presents and prospective treasure.

The hot soil gave way and wrapped tightly in a plastic bag was a small package; it felt like a book, and gripping it tightly as it was unwrapped I came upon what is now a truly treasured possession.  A pocket sized paperback book sat in my dirty hands; the cover read: Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide.    Written by veteran SAS survival instructor John 'Lofty' Wiseman, It might as well have been fabled ElDorado gold. For years I fumbled through its pages, pouring over its diagrams and illustrations like a crazed religious cleric, desperately wishing I would have to use it for real one day in a adventurous survival/crash-landing type situation where I would save the day with a well placed knot and a cleverly constructed raft made of human hair and the bark from a rare mushroom. Here's the book today some fifteen years later, minus a working front cover:        

 

Even after all these years, it still stands the test of new and more carefully planned escapades, this little book is still a source of inspiration and reference.  'Lofty' has written a true classic.  Get one.  You wont regret it.