Aleria's Adventures

The original first edition 1930 Hardback In researching children's books about sailing so I can do a remote session with our grandnephews in isolation in America, I came across what turns out to be a classic book series and set of movies called Swallows and Amazons by British author Arthur Ransome .  His Swallows and Amazons series of novels (written between 1931 and 1947) remain in print today and were made into two successful movies, one in the 1970s and the other released in 2016. Those never made it onto my radar in the US. So I have some catching up to do. They sound wonderful. This first book tells of a wonderful summer of adventure, discovery and friendship. Inspired by the author's own real-life sailing experiences in the beautiful Lake District of Cumbria in the northwest of England as a child. There are many editions over the years, including the first with cover art by Steven Spurrier. The 1st edition was not illustrated, while later editions were illustra...

Niagara Falls lit for St Patrick's Day Well, at least the world is going to turn on the lights in solidarity against the darkness of this Covid-19 disease that has stopped the world in its tracks. No parades. no parties, just a Happy St Patrick's Day at home viewing images of green lights. We can amuse ourselves by reading St Patrick's own autobiographical notes called the Confessions . Alex and I created slide shows of stories about St Patrick for the wee ones and we'll be calling them later today. You can watch my slide show that tells the story of St Patrick in Ireland. Or you can also amuse yourself by listening to the muppets sing Danny Boy !

In celebration of  #WorldBookDa y 2020, I am revising my list of top ten books about sailing and adding to it. What's your favourite book about sailing? The photo above is a selfie I took on an Atlantic Crossing. Flying downwind under spinnaker with our whites seahorse sigil. I'm reading a historical fiction book about Ireland as we sail home from the Caribbean. Without a library of books onboard, I would have gone stir crazy. Instead, I caught up by reading a book a day. Why is it that I can't allow myself to read at home, but read nonstop on the boat?  Does anyone else find themselves in this conundrum? My (Revised) Top 10 Books About Sailing - The Long Way (The Longue Route) - Sailing Alone Around the World - Perfect Storm - Wanderer - Once is Enough - Maiden Voyage - The Riddle of the Sands - As long as it's fun - A Voyage for Madmen - Survive the Savage Sea A few more for good measure. - The Summer Isles by Philip Marsden - Lord Jim by Josep...