Sailing Back in Time: A Nostalgic Voyage on Canada's West Coast

by Maria Coffey

Maria Coffey and Dag Goering embark on a three-month journey by wooden boat along Canada's spectacular west coast. Leading the way are legendary boat builders and sailors Allen and Sharie Farrell on their last voyage aboard the China Cloud. Powered only by wind and sculling oars, they take Coffey and Goering to their old haunts, places where they homesteaded, fished, and built boats. Years roll away as the Farrells recount decades of memories with passion, insight and humour.

Genres: Travel

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Ants · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a very expensive tribute book that will hold down a coffee table. From a historical perspective, I found it interesting since it told of the settlement of the region and highlighted the characters that were part of the personal history.

On the other hand, I kept thinking that the author must be well-connected to a publisher to get a book with all these photos into print. Why were the subjects chosen? For their legacy or to describe an era is one objective, but there are plenty of other folks that would fall into the same category, but don't get any recognition. I just don't get it.

So, I certainly had mixed feelings.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For one golden summer, the authors follow Alan & Sharie Farrell through the Straits of Georgia in BC in their wooden boat. The Farrells--in their late eighties--seamlessly sail their own wooden boat, the China Cloud, on their final voyage before retiring to Mexico. They visit all the remote coves and bays where they have spent the past 50+ years, soaking in the memories. Alan & Sharie are cut from a cloth that exists no longer and the peacefulness that radiates from their simple lifestyle is palpable. Lots of exquisite photos of these beautiful waters and islands...

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read - a truly spirited couple and their life on the West Coast of Canada's British Columbia.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of a sailing trip on Canada's west coast. I was given this book back in 2004. Re-reading it in 2014, it still stands out as a gem in my collection.