"Its taken me far to long to write this review! There are parts of "Relish" that I read half a dozen times, its not a book that you cant put down, but its certainly a book that your innerself pushes you to finish.

Whilst "Relish" follows Freddi's journey as a trek across Europe, this is far more than a diary or travelogue. Freddi's journey essentially finished in my city and I had followed him on his facebook updates as he completed his journey. The book provides honest, somewhat brutal, insight behind the scenes of Freddi's pilgrimage.

I loved seeing many cities I had visited with my family, through Freddi's eyes. Far from wanting to walk in his footsteps, I could easily view the landscape through his lens and imagine our contrasting experience.

I will read this again for sure (unless Steve releases something new)"

"This epic wielding of multiple walking trails, traveled in an exploration of experiential time and space, and the definitive relationships acquired throughout the road less traveled by is a masterpiece of traveling observations, historical references, and the cruel beauty of a traveling soul that gathers no moss.

Relish the journey of reading Relish in the Tread, 3,000 km by foot crossing Europe to Istanbul by Steven Hunter. It’s an epic read! "

"Thank you Freddie for sharing part of your Way with us. My heart hurt for Freddie and my heart hurt for me. It is as though we both have something the other didn't. He had a kind of freedom, adventure, and present moment living in the beauty of nature where he could wrestle with, learn about and grow in his deeper understandings of Self and his Way in the world. And I have community, consistent connection, and the relied upon tangible love from my family. I have somewhat a secure and safe routine where I can indulge in consumerism and more physical luxuries, where I too work out and grow deeper in the understanding of Self and my Way in THIS world I live in.

Freddie reminded me that it is in those small acts of kindness and generosity that really make the difference in showing and being love to those around us. It is that small gesture that sinks us deeper into our interconnected web we all have. Even when it is in our own backyards. I also loved learning of the history that I am very much ignorant to. How fascinating that even across the world we can all recognized each other, our wounds, our joys, our traditions in the eyes of everyone along the Way. The sameness we share even in the different flavours of our humanity.

Thank you for the adventure, the vulnerability and sharing the wisdom of your Way Freddie. You had me stopping to think a lot throughout this read. I consciously told myself only a few chapters at a time because I wanted to savour the journey and not rush it like we so often do in the Western World. I wanted to be present and take in as much as I could.

Beautiful, heart breaking, messy, thoughtful, raw and inspiring.
Cheers! "

"To walk from Rome to Instanbul (having already trekked the Camino de Santiago) is a pretty impressive achievement given the pitfalls of health, culture, border controls and such. Steve Hunter cleverly conveys both of these journeys by leapfrogging one upon the other. Some might find that irritating but once I'd recognised the pattern I enjoyed keeping track of the both as they interlocked.

Steve's narrative holds the attention and a few North Americanisms aside I found the book wholly readable and engaging. Perhaps having undertaken similar (though shorter) adventures myself on foot, by bike and canoe I was able to relate to the physical experiences.

I found the insight into those cultures I've not yet encountered to be of particular interest - Montenegro, Albania and Turkey especially. My own experiences are quite similar in that often those least able to give are the very people that share their homes and welcome you at their table.

My wandering days aren't over quite yet and Steve's account inspires me to get out there to encounter more challenges before I hang up my boots and cycling shoes. I'm sure many others would agree.

Tez Watson"