Set in a world where plants talk, friendship is hard-won and adventure is around the bend of every river ... 'Townsend has crafted an uncannily rich and tactile atmosphere, grounding the reader in the setting so successfully that I could almost feel the river mist settling in my hair.' SARAH DRIVER 'Just finished this breathless marvel and there's so much to love about it. Wild and imaginative storytelling, it introduces us to talking oaks, poisonous rock and a central character with a lot to prove.' FLEUR HITCHCOCK Orla has lived on her own since Ma died, with only her beloved garden for company. When sickness comes and nature is blamed, Orla knows she must find a cure. Armed with her mother's book of plants and remedies, she steals away on a river boat with two other stowaways, Idris and Ariana. Soon the trio must navigate the rapids of the Inkwater to a poisonous place from which they may never return ... The debut novel from an astonishingly talented new writer A wild rapids-ride of a story, suffused at every turn with authentic details of the natural world A gorgeous gifty book: a flapped paperback with illustration by Marie-Alice Harel.

Jeremy Scanlon was born and educated in Massachusetts. Now he lives in this cottage illustrated on the back cover beside the canal. His wife, Dorothy Priest, was born in the cottage, daughter of the carpenter who built the canal's lock gates. Their hotel narrowboat carried paying guests over 60,000 miles along the lovely inland waterways of England and Wales. Here mine hosts enjoy a rare moment of tranquility in 'Unicorn's' saloon.

Coverage: Grand Union Canal - Stoke Bruerne to Leicester; River Soar ; Erewash Canal; Trent Navigation - Derwent Mouth to Cromwell & River Nene - Northampton to Peterborough

Thoroughly revised, with all new photographs, this latest edition of a guide first published in 1983 has been increased in size from 112 page to 128 pages and features a square backed spine with sewn sections for added durability. Featuring the popular 'Warwickshire Ring' cruising circuit, this guide includes coverage of the Grand Union Canal between Stoke Bruerne and Birmingham, the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, the Coventry Canal, the oxford Canal between Hawkesbury and Napton, the Ashby Canal, the Stratford on Avon Canal, and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal between Tardebigge and Birmingham.

Pearson's canal companions encourage visitors, explain the lie of the land and provide a lasting souvenir of journeys made. This new 9th edition of the Stourport & Black Country Rings and Birmingham Canal Navigations Canal Companion marks a new format: theextent has increased from 96 to 160 pages, maps from 41 to 48 and photographs from 65 to 153. Coverage within this Canal Companion include: River Severn (Worcester-Stourport); Staffs & Worcs Canal (Stourport to Great Haywood); BCN Main Line (Aldersley to Birmingham); Worcs & Birmingham Canal (Birmingham to Worcester); Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (Birmingham-Fazeley); Coventry Canal (Fazeley-Fradley); Trent and Mersey Canal (Fradley-Great Haywood); Stourbridge & Dudley Canals (Stourton-Netherton); BCN Northern Waters (Wolverhampton-Walsall-Brownhills).

A facsimile edition of Bradshaw's Canals and Navigable Rivers of England and Wales. In the Victorian era, the name Bradshaw became synonymous with reliable information on travelling the nation's blossoming network of railways. Published in 1904, Canals and Navigable Rivers was the first guide to planning journeys on the inland waterways of England and Wales. Noting bridges, locks, distances and commercial use, it explores the routes, operation and history of the network, and gives commentary on the areas through which it passed. Compiled at a time when the railways had largely supplanted the waterways, it paints a fascinating portrait of the Edwardian canal system as it began to fall into gentle decay. This facsimile edition of the original book now offers a different perspective for canal boaters and walkers, and gives invaluable information about waterways now lost.

The hey-day of the British gypsy caravan was short, only about 70 years, during which period it grew from a simple utility vehicle, blossomed and flourished as a mobile work of art, then disappeared from common sight. These caravans were masterpieces of woodcraft and design, and the best of them cost as much as a small house. Unlike any small house, almost half the cost was in the decoration. This beautifully illustrated book presents the different types of caravan and the great variety of art which was carved and painted upon them and their brothers-in-transport, the old narrowboats. While there were certain rules and conventions of style, the decoration on and in all the types was ultimately governed only by how much money could be spent. The caravan in particular was the supreme status symbol among travelling people and its art the prime means for expressing where one stood in the world.

The 8th edition of Pearson's Canal Companion to the Severn & Avon is increased from 96 pages to 160 pages and features a square-backed spine with sewn sections for added durability. COVERAGE: Includes the River Avon from Tewkesbury to Stratford; the Stratford-on-Avon Canal; the Worcester & Birmingham Canal; the Droitwich Canals; the River Severn from Stourport to Gloucester; the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal; the Cotswold Canals from Framilode to Lechlade; and the Grand Union Canal between Birmingham and Braunston. THE CANAL COMPANIONS: A good guidebook should fulfil three functions: encourage you to go; explain the lie of the land when you're there; and provide a lasting souvenir of your journeys. The Canal Companions tick all three boxes - and more besides. 77 editions have been published to date, amassing sales in excess of half a million books.

For centuries, living afloat on Britain's waterways has been a rich part of the fabric of our social history, from the fisherfolk of ancient Britain to the bohemian houseboat dwellers of the 1950s and beyond. Whether they have chosen to leave the land behind and take to the water or been driven there by necessity, the history of the houseboat is a unique and fascinating seam of British history. In Water Gypsies, Julian Dutton - who was born and grew up on a houseboat - traces the evolution of boat-dwelling, from an industrial phenomenon in the heyday of the canals to the rise of life afloat as an alternative lifestyle in postwar Britain. Drawing on personal accounts and with a beautiful collection of illustrations, Water Gypsies is both a vivid narrative of a unique way of life and a valuable addition to social history.

A charming and characterful guidebook to the best of Britain's diverse and fascinating canal network for all waterway enthusiasts. Beautifully illustrated, this compendium uncovers the many extraordinary, notable and surprising places to be found on Britain's waterways. Our canals and rivers link into a diverse 3,000-mile-long network, and 101 Wonders of the Waterways shows you that wherever you find yourself in the country, there will be something nearby to give you a taste of this beautiful and nostalgia-infused world. Canal cruising experts Steve Haywood and Moira Haynes bring our waterways to life with their witty and lyrical prose, including many lesser-known and often ignored places - the best-kept secrets of Britain's canals and rivers. Some examples of wonders include: * Historic Hungerford in Berkshire, where William of Orange was staying when he was offered the crown after the Glorious Revolution * The world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, soaring spectacularly on slender tapered columns 126 feet over the River Dee below * Hest Bank, with its stunning views and the only place where a canal runs so close to the seashore that you can smell the seaweed from the back of your boat As well as lively personal anecdotes, and insightful commentary on Britain's heritage and history, this guide includes handy recommendations to help you make the most of your visit to each wonder. This is the book you will want to have in the back of your car, or stuffed into your backpack, so you can find an idyllic place for a picnic, or the perfect day trip for a long weekend.

Discover the beauty and delights of London's waterways, on foot or by boat, with Derek Pratt and Richard Mayon-White's fascinating and thorough guide. To really explore London’s canals is to see the city in a way you’ve never seen it before. A different world, away from the hustle-bustle of overladen streets and towering skyscrapers, the waterways offer a unique paradise, full of wildlife, brightly coloured narrowboats, lush greenery and an environment steeped in history. Discovering London’s Canals will open your eyes to this world and show you all it has to offer, walking with you along the vast stretches of each canal, pointing out the many sights to see and enjoy, pubs to quench your thirst in and history to marvel at. Enjoy whole days out with family and friends, or just an hour or two, choosing a stretch of canal and discovering so many sights and attractions either on or within a short walk from the water’s edge. With information boxes, travel directions, clear maps and beautiful photography, along with insightful travel writing from the kings of the waterways, Derek Pratt and Richard Mayon-White, Discovering London’s Canals is the perfect guide for anyone who loves walking, wildlife and the waterways of the great city of London. The book covers more than 60 miles of waterways in London, easy to get to and walkable for just an hour, an afternoon or a whole day, and each route is great for walking, running or cycling, with many traversable at any time of year. Go out there and see for yourself – there is a wonderful network of waterways just waiting to be explored in parts of London you hardly knew existed.

Diesel engines are installed in just about every yacht and in most large motorboats and, while professional help is often at hand, sometimes it is not. Indeed, engine failure is one of the most frequent causes of RNLI launches. This book explains how to prevent problems, troubleshoot and make repairs using safe techniques. It could also help you save money on expensive bills for yard work you could do yourself. Diesels Afloat covers everything from how the diesel engine works to engine electrics, from fault finding to out of season layup. With this guide and your engine's manual you can get the best performance from your boat's engine and be confident in dealing with any problem. The book covers the syllabus of the RYA Diesel Engine and MCA Approved Engine (AEC-1) courses. This edition has been thoroughly modernised and updated by former course lecturer and currently chief engineer on merchant ships, Callum Smedley.

A fully revised and expanded edition of the only resource you'll need for choosing, owning and maintaining a narrowboat. The UK has over 2000 miles of navigable canals and rivers which are home to an estimated 35,000 licensed boats. Although canal boats can look much the same to the novice, there are some very important differences to be aware of. If you're new to boating you have some important choices to make. This comprehensive book examines the options available to different types of boaters. From those who choose to live aboard their boats and constant cruisers to fair-weather cruisers, hire boating and share boat syndicates - each will need a different type of boat if they are to fully enjoy their time afloat. Packed with case studies and advice from real boaters with years of experience to share, this second edition has been thoroughly updated throughout and includes new information on liveaboard costs and considerations, eco-friendly boating options, shared ownership and tax-free boat building, as well as: - The cost of boating - Choosing the ideal boat for your boating profile - Buying a boat and the legalities of purchase - Choosing suitable internal fittings and features - Heating, lighting, toilets and hot water options - Boat electrics and solar power - Finding a mooring - Boating health and safety - Locks, swing-bridges and the boating 'highway code' - Boat maintenance - Boating etiquette and best practice

Revised and updated in 2021 this 3rd edition features facts and figures, insights and entertainment, wit and wisdom: from Brentford to Burscough, from Shardlow to Sharpness, from Tipton to Todmorden. All manner of folk have been encouraged to explore inland waterways using these guides, which have become as much a part of tradition as their subject matter. This 3rd Edition focusses on the Kennet & Avon, linking Bristol with Reading, and the River Thames between Oxford and Brentford, expertly interpreted to inspire you, on foot, afloat or by bicycle.

Canals of Britain is the most comprehensive and absorbing survey of Britain's canal network ever published. It provides a fascinating insight into the linked up waterways as well as the isolated cuts and quiet waters which may not be fully navigable by larger craft. Infinitely varied, it passes picturesque open countryside, wild moorland, coastal harbours, historic industrial buildings, modern city centres, canalside public houses and abundant wildlife. Stuart Fisher looks at every aspect of the canals - their construction, rich history, stunning scenery, heritage, incredible engineering, impressive architecture and even their associated folklore, wildlife and art. Enticing photographs give a flavour of each place and places of interest close to the canals are included. Each canal is intricately mapped. For those who are keen to explore that little bit further, the book goes to points beyond which others usually turn back, with information on little-known parts of the system, offering a new insight into this country's unique, surprising and beautiful canal network. Attractive, inspiring and also a practical guide, Canals of Britain has proved very popular with walkers, cyclists, narrowboaters, canoeists, kayakers and others wanting to get the most out of Britain's canals. This fourth edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the ever-changing landscape of Britain's canals, and includes many new colour photographs to help bring them to life.

This is a must-have compact travel guide to the Canal du Midi, a picturesque waterway in Southern France, popular for boating trips and holidays. The Canal du Midi is recognised as one of the most beautiful and popular waterways in Europe. It is an UNESCO world heritage site and attracts many visitors every year. It's widely regarded as the perfect boating region for wine tasting, sightseeing at medieval villages and cities, and visiting cafes and restaurants. This up-to-date, comprehensive travel guide covers all the practical information and sightseeing opportunities boaters need to know about during their holiday on the canal, including: -Highlights and itinerary for Canal du Midi trips for easy planning -Insider travel tips for your boating holiday: where to stop off, sightseeing highlights, recommended restaurants to visit along the way -Essential practical nautical information such as how and where to charter, locks, bridges and berths and so on -Concise English-French dictionary with the most important vocab -Fantastic photography and useful route maps

Have you ever wondered about the people who lived and worked along the canals? Have you ever caught a glimpse of something they might have seen or an echo of something they might have heard? As the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn canal wind their way from Framilode to Inglesham, they hold the stories of all who lived and worked on them. From Jack spinning yarns as he legs barges through the Sapperton Tunnel to Elizabeth swimming for all she is worth in the Wallbridge gala, the stories in 'Tales from the Towpath' span 250 years of life on the Cotswold canals. Mixing fact and fiction, they bring the past to life and, like all the best tales, appeal to children and adults alike. These original tales by storyteller Fiona Eadie are complemented by the evocative illustrations of local artist Tracy Spiers.

This enjoyable new book delves into unexplored areas of history surrounding the great network of the West Midland Canals. It provides a new insight into its most fascinating figures and places, including interviews with some of the last true boatmen, whose world disappeared forever during the turbulent 1960s. It reveals fascinating figures like John Corbett, who became one of the richest men in Britain during the 19th century, through salt and canals. He built a fabulous chateau for his unfaithful wife on the outskirts of Droitwich that can still be visited today. We also have an account of how the Droitwich Canals have been wonderfully restored to the navigation system, with old and new photographs depicting the changes. And not forgetting such pivotal characters such as Boulton and Watt, who were an essential part of the canal story. We at The History Press are sure that this book will appeal to canal enthusiasts and all who love the West Midlands with its amazing Waterways.

Through the French Canals has probably tempted more people to explore the beautiful waterways of France than any other book. First published in 1970, it's been the key authoritative title on cruising the French canals ever since. The revised new edition is the essential comprehensive planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the French waterways or take their boat from the English Channel through to the Mediterranean via the inland route. It includes: over 50 routes fully described and illustrated, with positions of locks, towns and villages through routes from the English Channel and Atlantic to the Mediterranean, plus distances, and assessment of suitable boats for the canals. It also provides dimensions of locks and operating times, details of bridge heights, canal depths, fuelling points, waterway signals, a guide to the cost of living, shopping and stores, sources of weather information, haltes for overnight stops, and ports de plaisance. As well as new photography, the new edition is updated throughout with new information on local facilities, new haltes and ports de plaisance, new VNF License fees, revisions to cruise hire companies, updated references to holding tanks, the availability of diesel and costs of cruising and much more.

First published in 1944, and now reissued with new black-and-white illustrations and a foreword by Jo Bell, Canal Laureate, this book has become a classic on its subject, and may be said to have started a revival of interest in the English waterways. It was on a spring day in 1939 that L.T.C. Rolt first stepped aboard Cressy. This engaging book tells the story of how he and his wife adapted and fitted out the boat as a home, and recreates the journey of some 400 miles that they made along the network of waterways in the Midlands. It recalls the boatmen and their craft, and celebrates the then seemingly timeless nature of the English countryside through which they passed. As Sir Compton Mackenzie wrote, 'it is an elegy of classic restraint unmarred by any trace of sentiment' for a way of life and a rural landscape that have now all but disappeared.

Journeying along London's waterways on a canal boat called Pike, Helen Babbs puts down roots for two weeks at a time before moving on. From Walthamstow Marsh in the east to Uxbridge in the west, she explores the landscape in all its guises: marshland, wasteland, city centre and suburb. From deep winter to late autumn, Babbs explores the people, politics, history and wildlife of the canals and rivers, to reveal an intimate and unusual portrait of London - and of life.

The surprising history of the Gowanus Canal and its role in the building of Brooklyn For more than 150 years, Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal has been called a cesspool, an industrial dumping ground, and a blemish on the face of the populous borough-as well as one of the most important waterways in the history of New York harbor. Yet its true origins, man-made character, and importance to the city have been largely forgotten. Now, New York writer and guide Joseph Alexiou explores how the Gowanus creek-a naturally-occurring tidal estuary that served as a conduit for transport and industry during the colonial era-came to play an outsized role in the story of America's greatest city. From the earliest Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam, to nearby Revolutionary War skirmishes, or the opulence of the Gilded Age mansions that sprung up in its wake, historical changes to the Canal and the neighborhood that surround it have functioned as a microcosm of the story of Brooklyn's rapid nineteenth-century growth. Highlighting the biographies of nineteenth-century real estate moguls like Daniel Richards and Edwin C. Litchfield, Alexiou recalls the forgotten movers and shakers that laid the foundation of modern-day Brooklyn. As he details, the pollution, crime, and industry associated with the Gowanus stretch back far earlier than the twentieth century, and helped define the culture and unique character of this celebrated borough. The story of the Gowanus, like Brooklyn itself, is a tale of ambition and neglect, bursts of creative energy, and an inimitable character that has captured the imaginations of city-lovers around the world.