LOCAL woman, Janet Giles, has published a book which tells the epic adventure of how she and her husband Freddie won the Around the World in 80 Days Rally.
The rally, back in 2000, was timed for every second of every day and working together, with Freddie driving and Janet navigating, they beat off Porsches, Aston Martins and Jaguars in a simple Hillman Hunter, to win the first ever competitive circumnavigation of the globe.
‘Winning Ways, A Navigator’s Tale’ isn’t a blow by blow account of every day of the journey but a sense of living for the moment; travelling where no tourists travel; of smog masks in China and sand storms in the Sahara. And always the relentless pressure to get to the next control on time and never lose the way.
Janet said, “The book is for everyone. I deliberately made it not for petrol heads or just for those interested in motor sport. I also wrote it for every woman who thinks she can’t navigate.
“It was a fantastic adventure and when we returned, we were on such an adrenaline high, but after three weeks we came crashing down and we were exhausted.”
Janet didn’t write the book straight away as she had been busy writing her husband’s biography.
“I started the book a while back but then was distracted by writing Freddie’s biography. He wanted it as a 80th birthday present, so I focused on finishing that.
“Then once I had finished that and I started writing this book properly, I was able to write it with ease. I did very much enjoy writing the book, but you have to be in the right mind set. If you aren’t in the mood to write, it can be very difficult.
“I was delighted to discover that I could have the book printed by local company CPI Antony Rowe. They were absolutely fantastic. Mark Radley was incredibly supportive and helpful. It was brilliant that I could have it printed locally.
“I don’t consider myself a writer, but I’m definitely going to write again. I’m in the early stages of writing a children’s book about the history of the area. Then I’d like to write a novel as well.”
You can buy ‘Winning Ways, A Navigator’s Tale’ from Devizes Bookshop and Amazon or directly from Janet on janetgiles@btconnect.com The book costs £15 but postage will apply if bought from Amazon.
(Postage included if bought from Janet.)
