Floating Through France

A practical and fascinating guide to taking your boat through the French canals to the fabulous cruising grounds of the Mediterranean.How many of us yearn for adventure, or long for a slower pace and escape from the daily grind?This is the captivating guide to taking your boat through the French canals to the fabulous cruising grounds of the Mediterranean. It is also the story of two ordinary people and their entertaining tale of mishaps: knots that untie themselves and Camargue mosquitoes that bite through jeans all in pursuit of a dream. The prize was the azure waters of the Med, but first they had to navigate cold, tidal northern waters, followed by weeks of locks and lifting bridges, where a 'good day' meant only one lock broke, and the clusier wasn't far away.With humour and warmth, Kerry and Fraser share the highs and lows of their adventure along with plenty of invaluable advice on: - Choosing and fitting out a boat for inland and coastal cruising - Breaking free of the ties of land life - Mastering the inland waterways from unstepping the mast to tackling the Tidal Seine - Making the most of Mediterranean cruising, from hidden anchorages to local delightsWhether you're planning your own voyage or simply dreaming of one, this is a warm, witty and practical companion for anyone drawn to life on the water.