Book Review
Follow up books, like tricky second albums, often fail to live up to expectations.
Well, I am glad to report that Terry's second "Narrow Dog" book eclipses the first in every way.
Whilst there are no screen shots of them entering Chesapeake Bay, having just sailed the North Atlantic in the Phyllis May, their 1100 mile adventure down America's Intracoastal Waterways is gripping none the less. I have been aware of this waterway for years and have hankered to follow its easterly course ever since an acquaintance made the trip to the Gulf of Mexico from the Great Lakes in a converted trawler. I have also seen it from the air en route to Florida and its exposed aspect looked an unlikely place for a flat bottomed narrowboat to venture.
But venture they did, for nine months through stifling heat, tropical storms, nasty insects and hungry looking crocodiles. Whereas Narrow Dog to Carcassonne was at time difficult to follow, this second book really took me with them, I could almost smell the salty air and hear the whine of the mossies. I was struck by the overwhelming friendliness they encountered brim the locals they met and the number of people who threw themselves into the endeavour, giving up time and effort to get the Darlingtons down to Fort Myers.
This is a splendid travel book. Thanks for sharing your memories with us Terry.
See you at Tixall Wide sometime.
Well, I am glad to report that Terry's second "Narrow Dog" book eclipses the first in every way.
Whilst there are no screen shots of them entering Chesapeake Bay, having just sailed the North Atlantic in the Phyllis May, their 1100 mile adventure down America's Intracoastal Waterways is gripping none the less. I have been aware of this waterway for years and have hankered to follow its easterly course ever since an acquaintance made the trip to the Gulf of Mexico from the Great Lakes in a converted trawler. I have also seen it from the air en route to Florida and its exposed aspect looked an unlikely place for a flat bottomed narrowboat to venture.
But venture they did, for nine months through stifling heat, tropical storms, nasty insects and hungry looking crocodiles. Whereas Narrow Dog to Carcassonne was at time difficult to follow, this second book really took me with them, I could almost smell the salty air and hear the whine of the mossies. I was struck by the overwhelming friendliness they encountered brim the locals they met and the number of people who threw themselves into the endeavour, giving up time and effort to get the Darlingtons down to Fort Myers.
This is a splendid travel book. Thanks for sharing your memories with us Terry.
See you at Tixall Wide sometime.
ISBN 978 - 0 - 593056 - 91 - 2
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