A good book, unexpectedly

Post by **Silkie** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 11:32 pm

One Summer's Grace by Libby Purves.

Charity shops are getting far too sophisticated in their pricing. When I were a lad all sorts of real gems could be found on their bookshelves for 50p along with the tattered Jilly Cooper and Jeffrey Archer paperbacks. Nowadays they know what people will pay and price accordingly. In this case however it worked out well. I only bought the above mentioned because the gem I really wanted was Â£7.99!

One Summer's Grace tells the story of how Libby Purves, Paul Heiney and their two children spent the summer of 1988 sailng round Britain in their 30' gaffer. I read it on my most recent Solo Effort and it's well and honestly written and I can thoroughly recommend it.

Of course, I expect the well-read BMers have had it on their bookshelves for a quarter of a century along with a host of other treasures I've never even heard of.

Any suggestions for good, lesser-known sailing books?

PS - I'm still looking for Shrimpy if anyone has an unwanted copy lying around!

Post by **Nick** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:14 am

Superb nautical narration Dave - you'll be writing a book yourself soon?

May I recommend 'Up That Particular Creek' by Val Howells?

BM review HERE

cpedw · Post by **cpedw** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:12 pm

We were very disappointed to find ourselves and our (then brand new to us) boat not mentioned in this despatch since we had a very close encounter with Grace O'Malley's impressive bowsprit in Whitby. Oh well, some day we might be notable!

Derek

Post by **Silkie** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:36 pm

Nick wrote:Superb nautical narration Dave

Shucks, but will you still love me in the morning?

I'll keep a look out for the Val Howells book in the charity shops, Midlothian Libraries don't have it yet!

Post by **Silkie** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:46 pm

cpedw wrote:We were very disappointed to find ourselves and our (then brand new to us) boat not mentioned in this despatch ..

So you have had it on your bookshelf for a quarter of a century then! I knew it!

Could you pick something else to recommend from your sailing shelf? Please.

Dave

Post by **Nick** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:50 pm

. . . if I ever get it back from Holiday John.

In the meantime, I am currently reading 'To The Baltic With Bob' by Griff Rhys Jones. I assumed he had gone on Bob;s boat, but in fact GRJ owns a classic yacht and is very generous and tolerant with his crew . . .

Brilliantly written, dry and funny by turns, highly recommended. I got my copy 2ndhand off Ebay. New in paperback HERE on Amazon.

- Nick

Post by **Silkie** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:07 pm

Received this as a Christmas prezzie when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly liked his story relating the only time he took Mel Smith sailing which I won't describe in case you haven't got to that bit yet.

MacHurley22 · Post by **MacHurley22** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:06 pm

That'll be the Mel Smith he describes as "he took to sailing like a chest of drawers" or words to that effect.

BLUEMOMENT