1960s-80s

A 1985 recreation of Roger Alsop’s 1960s coal runs down the Grand Union Canal with GU boats Comet and Barnes; comment on what had changed in 20 years.

Authors : Roger Alsop and Graham Dodkins

by John Liley.

This is a new edition of the book originally published in 1971, describing journeys in the former working boat Swan in 1964-65. This is a reprint, without update or comment, except for a new foreward by the author.

From Henley Regatta to the grime of the Potteries, with sojourns in Stratford and London, Journeys of the Swan presents a lively and amusing account of adventures on the canals and rivers of England.

Soft back. 195 pages.13.5cms x 24cms approx. Black & white photos.

by John Liley.

This book ia a light-hearted tale of John's exploits on the canals of France owning and operating a hotel barge, 30 years ago. Barge enthusiasts and landlubbers alike will laugh with and at John's exploits.

Soft back. 212 pages. 15.5cms x 22.8cms approx.

by Iris Bryce.

This new edition of Iris' classic book celebrates 30 years since she and her husband Owen sold their farmhouse in Kent and set off to tour the waterways of England.

They started in November 1974 in a brand new 65 foot narrow boat 'Bix', named after jazzman Bix Beiderbecke, into which they stowed all their worldly goods, including an upright piano.

Here is the story of their adventures - the ups, the downs, the many people they met, the places they visited and the sights they saw - recounted with charm and a delightful sense of humour.

Soft back. 224 pages. Illustrated with colour photos throughout. 14.9cms x 21.1cms approx.

by Ted and Margaret Hill.

Canal cruising and campaigning in the 1960s.This book covers the ten year period in the 60s when they were involved either in living on or campaigning for the inland waterways.

Sections include buying, converting and living on a boat at Oldbury, the first cruise, the IWA Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon to celebrate the restoration of the Stratford Canal, and their involvement with the Peak Forest Canal Society. It ends with a 1990 cruise of the whole of the Cheshire Ring.

Soft back. 173 pages. Illustrated with colour and black & white photos. 21cms x 21cms approx.

by Anthony H. Lewis.

Here is life afloat, without a fixed base. Joys, heartaches, highs & lows are all here. After designing and planning their own boat, they embark on a DIY fit-out. Continual cruising is described in detail, together with a range of activities open to pleasure boaters.

Soft back. 14.4cms x 20.3cms approx. 235 pages. Various black and white drawings & illustrations.

by Doris Coppell.

Do you fancy a holiday on an English canal or river during which you will be ship wrecked (almost), cold, depressed, tired, anxious, bilious, blown backwards, blinded in one eye and completely enveloped in black smoke?

On the other hand, would you enjoy hilarious situations, colourful characters, friendly conversations, interesting navigation inns, engineering marvels and beautiful remote moorings?

Join Doris on 'Salidha', 'Maori' and 'Adagio' and crews as they explore the waterways.

Soft back. 248 pages. 15.3cms x 23.1cms approx. 31 black & white photos in centre.

by David Bolton.

In Journey Without End, the author tells of how he and his wife threw up their jobs in London and spent a rewarding 18 months travelling England's canals in a 70ft boat.

Softback. 192 pages. 13.5cms x 20.9cms approx. Black and white illustrations by John Mansbridge.