Solo 2 Darwin – Book Launch & Lunch with Amanda Harrison
In the Footsteps of Amy Johnson

20th September 2024

Join us for an inspiring lunch on 20th September in the company of an extraordinary woman – Amanda Harrison
Dreaming is one thing, doing is a completely different concept.

Strap in and prepare to go on a trip of a lifetime. Twelve countries, 2,600 miles,
46 flying hours, two engine failures, one biplane, one female pilot, all equals one amazing adventure!

Through engaging storytelling, laugh-out-loud humour, and an inspirational message, Amanda will take you through a journey where she never gave up on her dream of being a pilot.

From small beginnings, she has successfully navigated this 20-year journey towards her biggest dream pioneering a vintage Tiger Moth biplane across the globe. No stranger to diversions and emergencies, Amanda has faced challenges of dyslexia, cancer and a commercial pilot career in a male-dominated world.  All of this has led to the publication of Solo2Darwin.

Inspired by her dad, an engineer, Amanda Harrison wanted to be a pilot from a young age. However, when reading about the aviators discovering the world, she saw this as an industry only open to those from a wealthy background. That all changed when she read about Amy Johnson, who became the first female pilot to fly solo from England to Australia in May 1930. Keen to follow in Amy’s footsteps, Amanda was waiting for the right time to start her Solo2Darwin challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is Amanda’s story of how cancer spurred on her travel plans to achieve her dream. Often faced with adversity, navigating through torturous mountain ranges covered in cloud, across seas, dodging thunder storms and surviving engine failures, Amanda’s expedition was truly amazing with plenty of highs, lows and drama.

Though the ‘Solo2Darwin’ flight is her most ambitious to date, Amanda has achieved success in many international aviation competitions including the 75th Anniversary Schneider Trophy Race and being a holder of four UK speed records for distance over time.

Amanda believes that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and is a living example of this. She is passionate about inspiring others to keep their dreams alive and live them to the full.

Enjoy a three-course seasonal lunch designed by Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and a talk from Amanda Harrison all about her brand new book “Solo2Darwin: In the Footsteps of Amy Johnson”.