Davisons-afloat.com

Floating Through France by Brenda Davison

A review of my book…

“Brenda Davison’s book is a revelation about the sophistication, usefulness and sheer beauty of French canals. The French government has invested heavily in them in recent years – and they are available to all who wish to explore this little known aspect of France.

Brenda and her husband John travelled the length of France from St. Valéry-sur-Somme in Picardy to Port St. Louis du Rhône on the Mediterranean. Their original idea was to take their 35 ft. catamaran, called Chefren, down to the Med for holiday use. In the summer of 1999 they set out across the Channel for a journey of 1,100 kilometers and 283 locks.

Although John was an experienced sailor, Brenda was quite new to sailing. She was delighted when the voyage turned out to be a personal odyssey; she kept notes and then captured the atmosphere beautifully when she wrote ‘Floating Through France’. She came to know lock-keepers, fellow travellers and canal-bank towns and villages; as well as the huge barges of the lower Rhône! It was an adventure to treasure.”

“Floating Through France” is 251 pages of pure delight. Brenda has republished in 2012 with revisions and updates, describing Brenda and John's return journey and the changes they found along the same route. New photographs have been added. It can now be purchased from the Support independent publishing: Lulu website, from Brenda herself using PayPal, and from Amazon.co.uk. It can also be ordered from your local bookshop. Price £9.99 plus P&P, and the ISBN No. is 978-1-4710-4450-2.

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