[Photo provided to China Daily]

In summer, when things slow down for Beck, he goes hiking in the mountains to keep himself in good shape, and looks after his aging parents.

Sometimes, he does drawings in sand on the beach in Somerset, England, about 40 minutes' drive from his home.

"It's another kind of race," writes Beck in his book, which includes two pieces of "sand art".

"This time against the tide."

Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn