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Adrian Sturrock
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The Sat Nav Diaries Kindle Edition

by Adrian Sturrock (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 45 ratings
"I had an idea for a road trip; a sports car I shouldn't have bought; and a wife to point out that what looks entirely feasible on a scaled map can actually be quite a long way away."

This isn't a travelogue; it's much less than that. If you are looking for a font-of-all knowledge encyclopaedic guru that will help you plan your next European adventure, you'll hate this book. However, if you've ever sat in a restaurant and wondered what the life of the couple opposite is like, then this might just be what you've been after. And the locations are quite nice too.





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  1. Print length
    307 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 11, 2017
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adrian Sturrock is a writer, occasional musician, teacher and ethnic minority (except when in Wales), specialising mostly in observation and unconsidered opinion. He currently lives in Buckinghamshire UK with wife Natalie, his travel companion, best friend and the person responsible for keeping him out of trouble on social media. They have three children between them.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0764KC23N
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 11, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 307 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 45 ratings

About the author

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Adrian Sturrock

Adrian Sturrock

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Adrian Sturrock is a writer, occasional musician, teacher, and ethnic minority (except when in Wales), specialising mostly in observation and unconsidered opinion. He currently lives in Buckinghamshire, UK, with wife, Natalie: his travel companion, best friend, and the person responsible for keeping him out of trouble on social media.

His first travelogue, THE SAT NAV DIARIES was well received on both sides of the Atlantic, gaining a string of 5-star reviews and culminating in a nomination for a 2018 Kindle Book Award. His follow up, THE SAT NAV DIARIES 2.0 (HEADING EAST…ISH) has been equally well received and has itself been nominated for a 2021 Kindle Book Award.

Adrian has also published two successful collections of humour articles through his RANDOM series, in which he considers a number of everyday pressing issues, from ‘how to get paid to fail a job interview’, to ‘why it is perfectly fine to blame French sociologists for one’s own first world problems’.

Beyond his own publications, Adrian Sturrock has contributed to a number of travel and lifestyle anthologies and online publications, as well as having had his poetry/lyrics displayed alongside those of Benjamin Zephaniah in Luton Town Hall (though it is unlikely that Benjamin is aware of this).

Other claims to fame include being smiled at by Madonna, and having once spent an afternoon watching Ace Ventura, Pet Detective in Barry Gibb’s living room, where Bee Gee’s manager, David English, remarked on his shoes.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
45 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning the sharply humorous British couple as a highlight. The travelogue aspect receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as a smart travelogue.

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6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous and entertaining, with one customer particularly appreciating the sharply humorous British couple in the narrative.

"...and his wife, which is portrayed with tremendous wit and self deprecating humour as they make their way in their Mazda Miata through some of Europe..." Read more

"...I laughed out loud a lot. Adrian Sturrock gives a breezy, humorous account of 40 days of traveling through 4, 5?..." Read more

"...It's a light-hearted and fun read, and it doesn't outstay its welcome. Sturrock is writing another book for release in 2019...." Read more

"I encountered this memoir on accident but thoroughly enjoyed it...." Read more

3 customers mention "Travelogue"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the travelogue aspect of the book, with one describing it as a smart and interesting guide.

"...The Satnav Diaries is a driving travelogue, pure and simple...." Read more

"This is an interesting travelogue of an English couple's automotive trip thru parts of Europe...." Read more

"Self-deprecating, funny, and smart travelogue about a road trip through Western Europe...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Vmp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, heartwarming and entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    4.5 Stars. This book first came to my attention on the Facebook Memoirs group when I read a review someone else had written. It sounded like my kind of read, so I downloaded a sample to see if it would appeal to me. Well, I loved Adrian Sturrock’s humour from the first few pages, so I bought the whole book.

    The Satnav Diaries is a driving travelogue, pure and simple. However, what makes it so compelling is the relationship between the author and his wife, which is portrayed with tremendous wit and self deprecating humour as they make their way in their Mazda Miata through some of Europe’s loveliest scenery and cities. Nat, Adrian’s wife is feisty and fun, but also kind and rather sweet. Adrian, the author, talks plenty of amusing nonsense, but it’s well peppered with smart remarks and the dialogue between the pair is sharp and entertaining. There is also a good balance between the personal, the historical and purely descriptive parts of the travelogue, so I had a great sense of being in the back seat (not that there is one in a Miata) listening to them banter, learning about the cities and watching the gorgeous scenery roll by.

    Another aspect of the book I liked is that there are some great scenes involving the people they met along the way, which make lovely vignettes and add variety to what is otherwise a very personal account. The only slight disappointment was that I was expecting the Satnav (Bernice) to have a bit more say in the story. She pops up now and then to frustrate things, but I thought she would be still more of a divisive ‘personality’. Still, maybe that was just my expectations getting in the way.

    All told, this is a very well written, funny and heart warming memoir. It could do with a bit of a spell check to smooth out some typos and errors in some of the place names, but while I couldn’t help noticing them, it didn’t spoil it for me. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys travel books with humour.
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  • Louise Pierce
    5.0 out of 5 stars Laughed out loud
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    If you need cheering up, read this book. I laughed out loud a lot. Adrian Sturrock gives a breezy, humorous account of 40 days of traveling through 4, 5? Countries of Europe in a two seater car with his wife Nat with their Sat nav or GPS as we call it in the US, to guide them. Sturrock’s self depreciating humor and appreciation for whatever situation he is in make this memoir an especially good read. Their choice of route makes anyone who watched movies of the 60’s envious. I think there is something for everyone here.
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  • Paul Thompson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Self-deprecating, funny, and smart travelogue about a road trip through Western Europe.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Pleasant-seeming but sharply humorous British couple go on an extended road trip through Western Europe.

    I was recommended this by a friend in England (I'm from there originally), and this isn't the type of book I usually buy.

    The presumably well-to-do author, Adrian Sturrock, and his sarcastic wife go on an extended road trip (they clearly have a lot more money and vacation allowance than I have) and this is covered in the kind of style that you'd tell your friends your travel stories in the bar after work. Sturrock has an engaging, self-deprecating sense of humor which really does lift this out of the style I was expecting. I chuckled throughout the book, and when his wife starts with her subtly cutting remarks, I was laughing out loud. Along the way, I was informed about all sorts of things about various cities around Europe.

    It's a light-hearted and fun read, and it doesn't outstay its welcome. Sturrock is writing another book for release in 2019. I must remember to look out for it, as I really enjoyed this.
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  • Anne L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Now a bucket list item
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I encountered this memoir on accident but thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed learning more about European geography (I knew where the countries were located but not how close they actually are *driving distance*). Side note: I followed from place to place using Google maps. My husband love road trips in our convertible in the states...now, I want to travel through Europe that way!
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  • Jan Butterfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Engaging Look at Europe
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed following along as Adrian and his wife, Nat, drove through Europe, eating, drinking and enjoying life. Nicely written.
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  • L Knight
    5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you want to drive around Europe in a sports car!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2018
    Being a fan of Che Guevara’s Motorcycle Diaries, I had to give this book a go after spotting the title. Like its similarly titled predecessor, the Sat Nav Diaries is a charming and evocative memoir of a multi-country road trip with a little politics thrown in for good measure. The book follows the journey of the Welsh author, his English wife/travelling companion, Nat, and their sat nav, Bernice, on a trip around Europe shortly after the EU referendum.

    What we get is a series of delightfully written scenes of France, Switzerland and Italy, punctuated by the occasional mishap and a healthy dose of wit. Any seasoned traveller can relate to many of these scenes: language barriers, touts forcing trinkets and plastic animals upon you supposedly for free, surly waiters, unorthodox hotels and prices akin to daylight robbery. The political element – which is never heavy-handed – is a view of Europe from the point of view of a couple of Brits who will soon no longer be as connected to the countries they are travelling in (whether they want to or not!) It simply offers a heartening perspective on what it means to be part of something bigger than the country you come from.

    The best part of the book, however, is the constant banter between the author and his wife, whose personalities are as well drawn in this book as characters in a good novel. If this book does not fill you with the urge to jump in a sports car and travel around Europe for a few weeks, then nothing will. Highly recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Olivier Rougeron
    5.0 out of 5 stars A road trip...
    Reviewed in France on July 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    ...that we all dream to do one day.
    A diary, well, a memoir of a 40 days trip in Europe with many funny encounters, and beautiful places (I now want to know where is that bedroom with that stunning view in Sienna 😊)
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  • Cyndee C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    From the moment I opened the cover of the book, I was captivated! Adrian has an exquisite way of phrasing things, especially making lighthearted and witty comments when faced in tricky situations. The relationship and wit between himself and his wife is awesome and refreshing! It is exceptionally well written and very highly recommended! 👏
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  • a m clegg
    5.0 out of 5 stars A topless adventure through stunning landscapes
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It's witty, dry witty like a dry Martini, shaken not stirred, with a touch of sarcasm in place of an olive. I bought this book to pass the time on an Andalusian beach while I waited for a suntan to develop. Unfortunately, three days after I started it Spain was put into lockdown (Corona virus!) so it became a source of happiness in an otherwise quite gloomy situation.
    It's a very enjoyable roadtrip diary of a tour through France, Switzerland and Italy and thereabouts in a Mazda MX-5. I've owned 5 MX-5s so I can relate to the journey in one respect and this book has inspired me to do a similar adventure in the not too distant, such is it's strength.
    I enjoyed every chapter and every new destination and character as they unfolded, as well as the interaction between the author and his better half. They clearly get on pretty well. It makes you chuckle out loud, be it on a beach or in solitary confinement and not many books do that to me. I look forward to the Pan-American next.
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  • Nadia Piaf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Travelling, Knowledge, Culture and Humor in a splendid concoction
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Adrian's "Sat Nav Diaries" is a travel book unlike any other generic-tourist-advice-ridden book, intended to lure the mass tourist to see "the best attractions" of this or that place.
    Adrian has written his book about his own European travels, accompanied by his partner; These are travels which are full of unexpected twists and turns, and many surprises of all sorts. The book is honest, spirited and written with a sharp rapier-like yet facetious language, which would appeal greatly to every intelligent reader and traveler with a good sense of humor.
    This is a book which presents the reader with knowledge and personal perspective of the places visited in a passionate and gregarious way. It teaches you about things and places you didn't even know you might be interested in or fall in love with.
    If you like travelling, culture, nature and a great sense of humor- all in a splendid concoction - this is a book for you.
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  • Frances Dunn
    5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't want this journey to end!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am a soppy romantic, who loves nothing better than reading Chic Lit! Why then did I get drawn to this real life journey across France, Switzerland and Italy? Well, Amazon have a knack of drawing your attention to certain things...mostly I ignore them, but for this book I was somehow drawn to the cover notes and thought, why not just try it? So, it arrived, and as I opened it and read the Dedication I was absolutely sold! The Journey of Natalie and Adrian in their Mazda MX5 is not only extremely well written (Adrian has a way with words and the way he puts them all together), it is laugh out loud funny. Their relationship is obviously a very special one, they understand each other, they are soul mates. The places they visit and the clever, informative way Adrian describes them and their journey is so compulsive I found it really difficult to put down and would find myself waking at one in the morning with the book on my face!! I would recommend this book to anyone...everyone!! Genius! More please!!
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