This account gives a vivid picture of the romance and realism of coastal trade, initially in a schooner, then in Thames spiritsail sailing barges before and during the war. The author tells of the havoc wrought by barges caught out in severe gales and the hazards of plying trade in wartime.

Off Watch With Old Harry is another delightfully entertaining collection of Des Sleightholme's amusing observations on the nautical scene. The 'joys' of antifouling, the bloody-mindedness of marine engines, the dubious pleasures of sailing on a spring tide, skippers, launching, and novice crew are just some of the subjects aired by 'Old Harry'. Perceptive, amusing and presented in Sleightholme's inimitable style, each episode is enlivened with a cartoon illustration. An ideal bunkside read. 'There are really only two side-splitting yachting journalists operating today - one of them is J D Sleightholme' Dolphin Book Club 'For the best humorous writing, Old Harry still reigns supreme' Yachting Monthly

This is the eagerly awaited follow-up to Des Sleightholme's bestseller A Funny Old Life, which instantly established itself as a must-read for Des's multitude of admirers. Former editor of Yachting Monthly for many years, Des is well known for his irreverent outlook on the Establishment and for his unfailing eye for the funny side of things; here he returns with further yarns about the hilarious happenings throughout his life.

Des Sleightholme, former Editor of "Yachting Monthly" for many years, is well known for his irreverent outlook on the Establishment and for his unfailing eye for the funny side of things; here he takes on a hilarious anecdotal romp through his sailing life.;From childhood efforts to get afloat at all costs - "if it floats stand on it" - to the tribulations of running a charter boat, the wandering narrative moves from the high drama of a force ten dismasting to the farce of a shattered toilet bowl. The author has a connoisseur's eye for a cock-up.

Up Aloft with Old Harry is another wonderful collection of Des Sleightholme's batty observations on the sailing scene. Wickedly perceptive, Sleightholme attacks pomposity with scarifying gusto, taking the mickey out of everything and everybody afloat. Such topics as leaking boats, dragging anchors, the charms of twin keels, the Fastnet Race, moving house by boat, chartering and, of course, the perils of going aloft, are handled with pitiless relish, while the improbable yet all too familiar character, Old Harry, appears with regularity like some pantomime devil in wrinkled red tights. 'Sleightholme is the man to make you laugh' Yachting Monthly 'Nobody is safe from Sleightholme's wit and wisdom' Motor Boat & Yachting

Anyone who has come across Des Sleightholme's bitingly witty writing will know they are in for a treat with this book. In his usual hilarious tongue-in-cheek manner, Des Sleightholme seeks to introduce the newcomer to the joys of cruising, explaining how to go about choosing a boat, what is likely to happen on your first time out, coping with tides, knots, and etiquette, and how to behave in marinas. In his own inimitable words: 'This book is for all those who are willing to leave the empties on the doorstep and their teeth on the bathroom shelf and go to sea. Having spent many a fascinating hour aground on the Buxey, keel banging like a town band drummer and praying in a loud falsetto voice, there's no doubt that it's a sport which broadens both mind and buttock.' Read it and you'll curl up! 'Des Sleightholme is one of the very few genuinely funny yachting writers' - Andrew Bray, Yachting World