Canal and River Cruising, - The I.W.A. Manual by SheilaDavenport

Publisher: 48pp £ 7.95 .

It took me about 30 minutes to read this slim paperback which is produced in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Association. It is intended for newcomers to canal and river cruising and specifically advises against attempting tidal waters. The book is well laid out with good black and white photographs, and contains very sensible advice and the sort of information which a novice could quickly absorb. This includes steering, locks, bridges, engines, mooring, problem solving and what to take with you. There is an apparent misprint in "starting a diesel" when "sections" should read "seconds" but all the essentials are covered well. There is a small map of the principal inland waterways of England and Wales and a section on buying your own boat. -NCT