Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round The Shipping Forecast
The solemn, rhythmic intonation of the shipping forecast on BBC radio is as familiar as the sound of Big Ben chiming the hour. Since its first broadcast in the 1920s it has inspired poems, songs and novels in addition to its intended objective of warning generations of seafarers of impending storms and gales.
Sitting at home listening to the shipping forecast can be a cosily reassuring experience. There’s no danger of a westerly gale eight, veering southwesterly increasing nine later (visibility poor) gusting through your average suburban living room, blowing the Sunday papers all over the place and startling the cat. Yet familiar though the sea areas are by name, few people give much thought to where they are or what they contain. Charlie Connelly wittily explores the places behind the voice, those mysterious regions whose names seem often to bear no relation to conventional geography.
“An engaging and often very funny book” Sunday Times
“One of those simple yet brilliant ideas” Daily Mail
“If listening to ‘Sailing By’ to the bitter end every night is the surest sign of a Radio 4 addict, then buying Charlie Connelly’s new travel book runs it close” Independent on Sunday
“Armchair travelling will never be the same again” Western Mail
“Charlie Connelly proves to be a suitably intelligent and amusing guide around these coastal stations and provides an illuminating history of the forecast itself” Hampstead and Highgate Express
“Went down a storm with this sea lover. It has great humour, it has great atmosphere. A very entertaining read and, believe me, you’ll never see cod in the same way again” Sunday Tribune
just read it again ,(third time) a truly wonderful informitive book written with the wit of a guy like myself………a little crazy maybe!!!!! just what this crap country needs…….FUN!!!
as an ex seafarer, the title drew my attention to the book & a very welcoming,enjoyable read it proved to be. Having been in most of the regions that Charlie travelled ( albeit, in larger vessels) his words brought the regions to life, and suffering the same sea sickness as he did ( for several years) saw the hillarious side.
wonderful read & shall now read some of his other volums.
many many thanks for enjoyable hours,
Just finished this and what a great read. As per the first comment your sense of humour is spot on. Many Thanks.
Bit of a slow start, nearly left it, but got addicted – a bit like the Shipping Forecast through which I have reached the land of nod these past 40 years. Finally couldn’t rest til I reached Trafalgar at my desk this morning. Hey ho, back to work. Just what a good travel book is about, no photos, it’s all in the words. And it makes you want to go there.
Now what else have you written.
cheers – if I see you in the Trafalgar Tavern I’ll buy you a couple.
Alan
(Manchester)