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...

Stranded and fighting for survival, Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star in #AdriftMovie , in cinemas June 28. Watch the official trailer here.  As the two avid sailors set out on a journey across the ocean, Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp couldn't anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the man she loves.

Wow, what a cool collection! Great ideas for a sailing movie club.  When I started to compile this list, I thought I'd come up with maybe ten movies. But as I got deeper into it, not only did I realize there were more than I consciously remembered over time, but also that the independent film production movement and digital technologies are causing an explosion of very interesting new entries. The work being done by young people is particularly inspiring and impressive and perhaps signifies that sailing isn't dying after all. No, it's actually becoming the saving grace of a generation pressured as none before it. Because it is just too difficult to rate these movies as each one ticks a different box, I've just listed them in chronological order. Enjoy, and please let me know about any I missed.