Publisher: Wheatmark, 1st ed.; £13.99
Publication Date: 2008
A 'sticky book'. I couldn't put it down. The relaxed style of a woman who copes with husband, boat, sea, European ports, (particularly the moorings therein), and 'foreignors' with perception and good humour provided me with a few hours of enjoyment both sharing her adventures and reminiscing my own in some of the same waters.
If anything, the narrative is too easy. Can you really head off for bluewater with such limited sailing experience in your own 40ft catamaran and have nothing more difficult or dangerous to face than the marina washing facilities and the roads to the supermarket? It seems so. The dream is possible.
Other than my doubts on this score, I would wish, in the next leg of this lifetime trip, more detail on the sailing (what do you do all day in fair weather and foul?); less detail on the menus (though the record is a tribute to accurate log-keeping and cooking); and some more pictures (I read the paperback,there may be some in the hardback); the maps were useful references. If you are thinking of joining the fleet of sailaways, this is an encouragement, but please read the disclaimer preceding the narrative. The sea is not always so kind to those who go down and take their pleasures in deep waters. – Susan M.