Tuesday'n'Me
Review Date:
28/06/2007 Publisher: Bosun Publications
Publication Date: 2006
The book is in the form of an email diary and as such is a collaborative effort as it has many contributors. Family, friends, radio hams and fellow adventurers become regular characters that either vicariously or for real share in David Foreman’s many adventures.
Such was the style of the book it came across to me like an international conversation that was buoyed up by the element within it was set and chaired by the Skipper as he made way across the sea. This in turn made the book very accessible to read and also fun. It was full of the same spontaneity the sea brings and ingenuity it demands of a single-handed sailor. Friends and family emails were encouraging, like reminders of a good sweet cup of tea when the garden outside is not full of grass and rather less tameable. Emails from fellow sailors were informative, supportive and illustrated the camaraderie and bonds that can develop between all afloat when making way to their intended destination. As a far less experienced sailor I thoroughly enjoyed the immediacy of the writing and gleaned a good insight into what is required of a person when undertaking such a voyage. When the skipper was grounded in Salvador having been attacked by lightning, a ‘whizzbang’ and in turn waiting for some new kit, I shared in his frustration so much, being at the mercy of a very disorganised customs and excise I felt ready to fly out myself with the parts! The way he dealt with adapting and coping, without the help of the more recent nautical technology on his way back made the book even more interesting.
The resourcefulness and ability to improvise your way out of a tricky situation certainly came across in this book as essential qualities for a good sailor. Plan as much as you can but if things do go wrong one needs to fix it. Having read the book David Foreman’s positive spirit becomes very infectious, which is shared by all his contributors and has definitely spurred me on as something to aspire to and I consider it very generous of him to share the experience of his achievement. You will learn a lot from this book and enjoy a rather good sense of humour too. DH
