'It would be hard to imagine a more thoughtful, intelligent and companionable person to go to sea with than Paul Heiney.' Bill Bryson 'High comedy on the high seas. Informative and warm and freezing. It's quite a combination.' Griff Rhys Jones The writer and broadcaster Paul Heiney set sail from the east coast of England bound for Iceland, propelled by a desire to breathe the cool, clear air of the high latitudes, and to follow in the wake of generations of sailors who have made this often treacherous journey since the 13th century. In almost every harbour he tripped over maritime history and anecdote, and came face to face with his own past as he sailed north along his childhood coastline of east Yorkshire towards the Arctic Circle. But there was one major thing missing from this voyage - the sight of puffins. They are remarkable birds, uplifting as a ray of sunshine after a storm. To see them and share their waters was also part of Heiney's ambition. Imagine then his disappointment when, first, no puffins appeared off the Farne Islands, then none to be seen on puffin hotspots like Orkney. When he failed to see puffins on Iceland, Heiney still held out the hope that he would see the 'joker of the seas'. With inspiring travel writing, social and maritime history, and good-humoured reflections on his sailing journey, Heiney brings us this delightful book - a love letter to the puffin, to Iceland and the north, and to the pure pleasure of being at sea.

This is the reassuring voice of the ocean sailing community. Your big adventure starts here.

For many sailors, an ocean passage is the big dream. But many will worry that they don't have the right experience, that their boat isn't strong enough, or that it will be prohibitively expensive and difficult.

Ocean Sailing will prepare you for an ocean passage by painting a picture of what ocean sailing is really like, through the experiences of others who have gone before. Topics covered range from safety to boat kit and preparations, budgeting to staying in touch with home, equipment breakdowns to health and weather.

Members of three great cruising clubs – the Royal Cruising Club, Ocean Cruising Club, and the Cruising Club of America – share their vast wealth of experience, and by focusing on the practicalities of ocean sailing, allay the anxieties and doubts of prospective ocean cruisers to ensure a deeply satisfying ocean voyage.

Make the most of your time ashore with Adlard Coles Shore Guide to South Brittany. With the sailing behind you, you'll be looking to explore your destination, asking questions such as: How far to the nearest shops and where are the places to eat? You'll also need help to solve practical problems, such as finding fuel, repairs and laundry facilities. Once you're fed and watered, what is there to see and do, and how can you keep the family entertained? You need a different kind of pilot book and this guide is the answer. Packed with beautiful photographs and practical information on local facilities, places to visit and the best beaches within reach of the marina, Adlard Coles Shore Guide to South Brittany will steer you towards the essentials and the pleasures of this beautiful and popular region. Written especially for sailors and designed for planning enjoyable cruises, stretching from the rock-bound shores of western Brittany to the softer and warmer parts towards La Rochelle, this handy-sized travel guide is the perfect resource for anyone cruising this coastline. Paul Heiney, a hugely experienced sailor, journalist and author, describes the marinas, big and small, worth visiting as well as the welcoming harbours and string of peaceful islands to explore.

Sailors planning a cruise abroad use a pilot book, which gives you all the navigational advice to get you to your destination. Once you've closed the pilot book, this book will help you enjoy all that your destination has to offer. What can you discover within walking distance of the port? Where can you find fuel, laundry and food supplies? The main reason for going on a cruise in the first place is to explore new and lovely places. Sailors won't decide to stop at a port because of an interesting pilotage challenge, but you will for an amazing moules frites place hidden away. General guidebooks won't tell you everything you need to know, and will include a lot of info on places you can't reach. Adlard Coles Shore Guides provide the essential information and ideas to make the most of your time ashore. Paul Heiney, a hugely experienced sailor, journalist and author, is the perfect companion for exploring the pretty harbours and beautiful beaches of the Channel Coast of France. The book is lavishly illustrated with the author's own photos of this alluring coastline's bustling ports and hidden gems. Chapters arranged by region and port will detail why each place is worth visiting, what to see, where to find essentials such as fuel and repairs, transport connections, places to visit, best cafes and restaurants, walks (sailors need to stretch their legs when they go ashore), bike rides, best beaches and activities for the kids, all organised into categories by distance from the port or harbour - 10 minutes' walk, 30 minutes' walk and further afield.