The life aquatic: four books about life on Britain’s rivers and canals

[Alan de Enfield]

The life aquatic: four books about life on Britain’s rivers and canals | Boating holidays | The Guardian

 

Maidens’ Trip: A Wartime Adventure on the Grand Union Canal

When three 18-year-old “maidens”, including author Emma Smith, sign up for canal boating as part of the war effort in 1943, they transport steel to Birmingham, coal from Coventry, lose their bicycles and find a cat – and themselves. (Bloomsbury, £10.99)

 

Tales from the Tillerman: A Lifelong Love Affair with Britain’s Waterways

Seasoned water rat Steve Haywood combines a history of Britain’s canals with 50 years of anecdotes and lively rants about his own water escapades and the changes in the cruising landscape he has encountered on the way. (Adlard Coles, £12.99)

 

 

Waterways Past & Present: A thousand miles along Britain’s canals

Slow adventurer Jasper Winn spent a tranquil year exploring Britain’s waterways on foot and by bike and boats. Weaving in history, feats of engineering and wildlife, he finds a unique sense of community in our “wet roads and water streets”. (Bloomsbury, £11.99)

 

Water Gypsies: A History of Life on Britain’s Rivers and Canals

Born and raised on a boho houseboat in Chelsea, Julian Dutton has written a social history of houseboat. Ranging from ancient to modern-day Britain, it examines how economic necessity gave way to tourists on pleasure cruisers and families such as his own seeking an alternative lifestyle. (History Press, £14.99)

[Tam & Di]

That's an interesting selection that the Guardian has chosen to sell - especially Maidens' Trip, though I suppose that the fact it is still in print from Bloomsbury must say something. When I saw 'Water Gypsies" listed I thought it would be the A.P Herbert book, but someone else has pinched the title.

 

Tam

[Tim Lewis]

A pity they got the cover picture of the Julian Dutton book wrong!

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by Tim Lewis

[Tam & Di]

I don't know the book, but the cover I see is this. I can't imagine what the boatman on the bank has in his left hand, not why a second one would be stepping off nonchalantly as he appears to be doing. Nor ......... oh, never mind. 😁

 

Tam

 

[Alan de Enfield]

19 minutes ago, Tam & Di said:

I see is this. I can't imagine 1) what the boatman on the bank has in his left hand, 2) not why a second one would be stepping off nonchalantly as he appears to be doing.

 

1) Its a starting handle (he picked up by mistake thonking it was gthe windlass)

2) He is pushing the boat away from the side (leaning backwards)

[Up-Side-Down]

6 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

1) Its a starting handle (he picked up by mistake thonking it was gthe windlass)

2) He is pushing the boat away from the side (leaning backwards)

Isn't it a freshly caught eel?

[Victor Vectis]

Or how that boat fitted in the lock!

[David Mack]

3 hours ago, Victor Vectis said:

Or how that boat fitted in the lock!

Which has bottom gates that open the wrong way!

[Tam & Di]

🤷‍♂️

4 hours ago, Victor Vectis said:

Or how that boat fitted in the lock!

Oh, all right then - I told myself to ignore it, but it's the narrowest narrowboat I've ever seen, with very mean top planks, with no chimney but with a porthole in the bedhole space, no towing mast and a very odd T-stud - though the whole front deck is rather strange.  🤷‍♂️

 

Authors don't often get much of a say about the cover design, but I'd be ashamed if it was my book purporting to be a history of boat life.

 

Tam

 

Edited August 16, 2022 by Tam & Di