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Moderate Becoming Good Later: Sea Kayaking the Shipping Forecast
An exhilarating and deeply moving story of one man's attempt to sea kayak the areas of the Shipping Forecast, perfect for fans of The Salt Path and Attention All Shipping
Foreword by Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping
The Shipping Forecast has been described as the UK's national lullaby: a source of dependability and calm in our often chaotic world, it has charmed millions of listeners and aided generations of seafarers across the decades. No stranger to weathering a storm after living with a rare life-limiting condition and facing the death of his brother, avid kayaker Toby Carr set out to explore the areas of the Forecast.
On a journey that took him to the harshest and most tranquil stretches of our sea, Toby found the real people, places and stories behind the familiar names and imagined environments of the well-loved BBC broadcast. From the wildness and peace of the sea, looking back at the land, Toby hoped to gain the strength and balance he knew nature could provide and to discover what anchors us to each other.
Written by Toby's sister Katie from his extensive notes and recordings after his untimely death, Moderate Becoming Good Later is both an epic adventure - sometimes choppy, constantly moving - and a personal voyage of discovery that includes old friends and new, plenty of wildlife, and the ever-present sea.
Foreword by Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping
The Shipping Forecast has been described as the UK's national lullaby: a source of dependability and calm in our often chaotic world, it has charmed millions of listeners and aided generations of seafarers across the decades. No stranger to weathering a storm after living with a rare life-limiting condition and facing the death of his brother, avid kayaker Toby Carr set out to explore the areas of the Forecast.
On a journey that took him to the harshest and most tranquil stretches of our sea, Toby found the real people, places and stories behind the familiar names and imagined environments of the well-loved BBC broadcast. From the wildness and peace of the sea, looking back at the land, Toby hoped to gain the strength and balance he knew nature could provide and to discover what anchors us to each other.
Written by Toby's sister Katie from his extensive notes and recordings after his untimely death, Moderate Becoming Good Later is both an epic adventure - sometimes choppy, constantly moving - and a personal voyage of discovery that includes old friends and new, plenty of wildlife, and the ever-present sea.
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2023
29 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 18, 2023
Bravo!!! What an amazing adventurer Toby Carr was and what an incredible achievement that his sister Katie has done by putting together his notes to create this book.
Toby had a rare health condition that meant he would have a far shorter life expectancy than most people and after he loses his brother it inspires him to take on an adventure, to kayak in all the areas mentioned in the shipping forecast. I had heard of the shipping forecast but never listened to it or bothered to find out more about the area it covers, so first thing first I had to do a bit of research…have a listen to a forecast and find a map.
Having seen the map I was amazed by the scale of his project, doing all these areas in a tiny wee boat? Crazy eh? The book starts off sharing family history, explaining health conditions and why he wanted to do this, a rather clever method was done to share this. To fund for the adventure Toby applied to the Winston Churchill memorial trust and all background and reasons were shared with the reader as the application form was filled out…genius. After a successful application the adventure begins, first up was Iceland. Right away you get an idea of what sort of person Toby was, calmly dealing with bureaucracy, meeting strangers and instantly making new friends, Toby had that rare ability to find the most generous people just when he needed it. He had a contagious wonder for the world, spotting a dolphin and taking a moment to appreciate it existing with him in that moment.
The adventure continues on to the Faroe Islands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France and Spain, he faces dangerous seas often and instead of backing down or taking risks he uses a sensible head and constantly makes the right decisions, an incredible ability to read the sea. The trip is done in stages over a few years, the longest section was the coast of France and Spain and it is near the end of this section that there is a shift in Toby’s mood, whether it was realising he was having to go back to real life or when he realised he hadn’t thought of his brother for a few days or maybe it wasn’t Toby but this reader sensing the end of the book but it was like some of the colour had drained out of the world. It was at this point that I realised I had become too heavily involved in Toby’s adventure and life, the last chapters were some of the hardest things I’ve ever read, I knew it was coming but just didn’t expect to get hit so hard.
This is an amazing book, so well crafted by Katie from his notes, audio recordings, blogs and messages and it was a pleasure to have had a chance to have read it and join Toby on this adventure. A truly wonderful memoir that has to be read.
Blog review featuring images and video: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2023...
Toby had a rare health condition that meant he would have a far shorter life expectancy than most people and after he loses his brother it inspires him to take on an adventure, to kayak in all the areas mentioned in the shipping forecast. I had heard of the shipping forecast but never listened to it or bothered to find out more about the area it covers, so first thing first I had to do a bit of research…have a listen to a forecast and find a map.
Having seen the map I was amazed by the scale of his project, doing all these areas in a tiny wee boat? Crazy eh? The book starts off sharing family history, explaining health conditions and why he wanted to do this, a rather clever method was done to share this. To fund for the adventure Toby applied to the Winston Churchill memorial trust and all background and reasons were shared with the reader as the application form was filled out…genius. After a successful application the adventure begins, first up was Iceland. Right away you get an idea of what sort of person Toby was, calmly dealing with bureaucracy, meeting strangers and instantly making new friends, Toby had that rare ability to find the most generous people just when he needed it. He had a contagious wonder for the world, spotting a dolphin and taking a moment to appreciate it existing with him in that moment.
The adventure continues on to the Faroe Islands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France and Spain, he faces dangerous seas often and instead of backing down or taking risks he uses a sensible head and constantly makes the right decisions, an incredible ability to read the sea. The trip is done in stages over a few years, the longest section was the coast of France and Spain and it is near the end of this section that there is a shift in Toby’s mood, whether it was realising he was having to go back to real life or when he realised he hadn’t thought of his brother for a few days or maybe it wasn’t Toby but this reader sensing the end of the book but it was like some of the colour had drained out of the world. It was at this point that I realised I had become too heavily involved in Toby’s adventure and life, the last chapters were some of the hardest things I’ve ever read, I knew it was coming but just didn’t expect to get hit so hard.
This is an amazing book, so well crafted by Katie from his notes, audio recordings, blogs and messages and it was a pleasure to have had a chance to have read it and join Toby on this adventure. A truly wonderful memoir that has to be read.
Blog review featuring images and video: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2023...
March 22, 2024
When I was growing up I remember hearing the shipping forecast on the radio in the car right before the news my dad wanted to listen to while he drove us. I had no idea where the places mentioned were - strange names such as as North Utsire, Sole, Fastnet, and Fitzroy. The forecast itself, 'German Bight force 5 to 6, moderate becoming poor later’ was an incomprehensible language to me, but the forecast was and is a life saver for fishermen and others.
The book was published posthumously and is a moving tribute to the author who embraces each day and seeks adventure knowing his own life could be cut short anytime by his life limiting condition. A keen kayaker, he sets out to kayak in all the shipping forecast areas stretching from Iceland to North Africa and Ireland to Denmark. It’s a great read if you have a love of the sea or being taken to unusual and often remote places.
The book’s publication is thanks to his sister who, after his death, finished the largely unwritten text using his notes, Whatsapps, and other material. A remarkable person like her brother, she has truly honoured his memory.
I was lucky to discover the joy of kayaking many years ago. It’s a wonderful way to relax, connect with nature, and explore, and the camaraderie with other kayakers is strong.
The book’s descriptions of what it feels like and the pull and power of the ocean were spot on, not that I have ever achieved anything close to what he did. A hugely enjoyable read.
The book was published posthumously and is a moving tribute to the author who embraces each day and seeks adventure knowing his own life could be cut short anytime by his life limiting condition. A keen kayaker, he sets out to kayak in all the shipping forecast areas stretching from Iceland to North Africa and Ireland to Denmark. It’s a great read if you have a love of the sea or being taken to unusual and often remote places.
The book’s publication is thanks to his sister who, after his death, finished the largely unwritten text using his notes, Whatsapps, and other material. A remarkable person like her brother, she has truly honoured his memory.
I was lucky to discover the joy of kayaking many years ago. It’s a wonderful way to relax, connect with nature, and explore, and the camaraderie with other kayakers is strong.
The book’s descriptions of what it feels like and the pull and power of the ocean were spot on, not that I have ever achieved anything close to what he did. A hugely enjoyable read.
June 14, 2023
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a free copy in return for an open and honest review.
This book is a persons enjoyment of sea kayaking and his drive to overcome things, started as an idea to the Churchill foundation to sea kayaking around the shipping forecast areas and this book is his and his sisters attempt to recreate his journey as we experience through pages of the book his journey travelling from Iceland, Faroes, Norway, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Channel islands, Spain , Portugal and the most of the British areas of the shipping forecast. The book itself has humour and sadness too in it but overall people would enjoy the journey through the pages.
This book is a persons enjoyment of sea kayaking and his drive to overcome things, started as an idea to the Churchill foundation to sea kayaking around the shipping forecast areas and this book is his and his sisters attempt to recreate his journey as we experience through pages of the book his journey travelling from Iceland, Faroes, Norway, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Channel islands, Spain , Portugal and the most of the British areas of the shipping forecast. The book itself has humour and sadness too in it but overall people would enjoy the journey through the pages.
October 9, 2025
Fantastic book! Just a few tears at the end... don't recommend finishing it on a bus where everyone laughs at you for sobbing!
June 16, 2023
This brave beautiful book has become one of my most favorite memoirs. Written in gorgeous prose that makes you feel you are right with Toby Carr in a kayak on the sea. A compelling tale of adventure, coming to terms with life's end, and profound grief, finished magnificently after his death by sister Katie Carr. I will never forget this tragic, hopeful, and inspiring story--nor will any reader. Highly recommended!
August 5, 2024
Massive regard for Katie Carr who took on, what must have been, an almost insurmountable challenge to finish her brother's story. It's a credit to her that I didn't notice any difference in voice from chapter three (the last complete chapter Toby wrote) onwards.
This is an inspirational story. It has an authenticity, I feel, that's lacking in the Salt Path. Katie captures, against all the odds, her brother's voice and the sheer strength of character he possessed. I'm not a kayaker, and I don't have any experience of being on the water in any kind of small sea vessel, yet I found Moderate Becoming Good Later captivating. Toby Carr's adventures on the water and on dry land combined with interesting information on the history and geography of the 'Shipping News' coastlines and countries held me to the end.
You'll need a handkerchief for the ending: one minute Toby Carr is here with you the reader, talking, reflecting, the next gone (10 days later to be exact). The suddenness of his death hits you like a hammer blow. But this is a life well lived - and his story reminds us that we must grab life by both hands and revel in its precious gift if we can.
It's wonderful that Katie has picked up the baton and is paddling the rest of the shipping areas (within touch of land). I sincerely hope a second book is on the horizon to complete this great adventure that this giant of a human being started.
This is an inspirational story. It has an authenticity, I feel, that's lacking in the Salt Path. Katie captures, against all the odds, her brother's voice and the sheer strength of character he possessed. I'm not a kayaker, and I don't have any experience of being on the water in any kind of small sea vessel, yet I found Moderate Becoming Good Later captivating. Toby Carr's adventures on the water and on dry land combined with interesting information on the history and geography of the 'Shipping News' coastlines and countries held me to the end.
You'll need a handkerchief for the ending: one minute Toby Carr is here with you the reader, talking, reflecting, the next gone (10 days later to be exact). The suddenness of his death hits you like a hammer blow. But this is a life well lived - and his story reminds us that we must grab life by both hands and revel in its precious gift if we can.
It's wonderful that Katie has picked up the baton and is paddling the rest of the shipping areas (within touch of land). I sincerely hope a second book is on the horizon to complete this great adventure that this giant of a human being started.
January 11, 2024
Being on the water is a nostalgic pastime for Toby Carr. After developing a fascination with the shipping forecast, he makes it his mission to kayak the areas of it; the results of which are written about in this book.
Unfortunately, he succumbs to a terminal illness, so his sister ends up finishing the book for him. She does such a brilliant job of it, using his notes/voice recordings, etc, that you wouldn't know at which point she had taken over the writing.
A recommended read for anyone interested in the shipping forecast, travel writing in general, or anything sea-related. It's uplifting and sad in equal measures.
Unfortunately, he succumbs to a terminal illness, so his sister ends up finishing the book for him. She does such a brilliant job of it, using his notes/voice recordings, etc, that you wouldn't know at which point she had taken over the writing.
A recommended read for anyone interested in the shipping forecast, travel writing in general, or anything sea-related. It's uplifting and sad in equal measures.
June 13, 2023
An enchanting tale of adventure, swept along by an undercurrent of humanity and wisdom.
Many will be familiar with the daily broadcasts and tessellated map of the Shipping Forecast but less so with the landscapes, history and inhabitants within. The remarkable variety of those coastal areas and challenges faced to traverse them, have been beautifully distilled. Throughout, Katie Carr has imbued Toby’s account with a natural charm, which combined with sublimely evocative descriptions, effortlessly transports the reader deep into the maritime environment.
Yet beyond the exotic locations, the narrative is most compelling as we are drawn to find something of ourselves in this odyssey. You don’t need to be a kayaker or sailor, to have shared many of those life experiences. It’s exciting to read of bravery and fortitude but for it to be told with such humility and optimism, is truly inspiring.
Many will be familiar with the daily broadcasts and tessellated map of the Shipping Forecast but less so with the landscapes, history and inhabitants within. The remarkable variety of those coastal areas and challenges faced to traverse them, have been beautifully distilled. Throughout, Katie Carr has imbued Toby’s account with a natural charm, which combined with sublimely evocative descriptions, effortlessly transports the reader deep into the maritime environment.
Yet beyond the exotic locations, the narrative is most compelling as we are drawn to find something of ourselves in this odyssey. You don’t need to be a kayaker or sailor, to have shared many of those life experiences. It’s exciting to read of bravery and fortitude but for it to be told with such humility and optimism, is truly inspiring.
January 14, 2024
A beautiful adventure
An inspiring adventure story of huge waves, distant lands and being at one with nature.
Beautifully written, inspirational and bittersweet, this story was a joy to read.
Not a book I would have picked, I was gifted this and felt that I should read it - I am so very glad that I did.
An inspiring adventure story of huge waves, distant lands and being at one with nature.
Beautifully written, inspirational and bittersweet, this story was a joy to read.
Not a book I would have picked, I was gifted this and felt that I should read it - I am so very glad that I did.
July 23, 2025
Finally gathered to courage to read the last few emotional pages written by his sister. A moving real life story on Toby Carr....inspiring, heart-warming and teaching us important life lessons on loving close friends, family. At the same time showing qualities of resilience, grit, gratitude and kindness. A must read.
P.S. Be Ready for this EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER
P.S. Be Ready for this EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER
June 17, 2023
First, you need to know that any water deeper than a swimming pool terrifies me, so reading the story of a sea-kayaking adventure around the shipping forecast is unlikely light reading for me. But I loved it. Lyrical descriptions, engaging reporting of meetings with the people he meets on his travels, scary episodes in rougher seas that ordinarily would give me nightmares, all come together to make this a thoroughly delightful and compulsive read. Be warned though. It also moved me to tears. The authors’ light touch when describing his heath problems don’t hide the fact that this is also a very sad tale, but one in which hope and joy shine through. I did find it hard at times to continue - because it’s clear from the start that Toby doesn’t complete the journey, and I so wanted him to!
His big sister Katie completes the story from the materials he left behind. She has done a magnificent job because it his voice throughout the tale. A really wonderful book.
His big sister Katie completes the story from the materials he left behind. She has done a magnificent job because it his voice throughout the tale. A really wonderful book.
June 12, 2023
Many books claim to take you on an adventure but this one pulled me in and kept me avidly reading on a fascinating journey around the shipping forecast. Informative, humorous and emotional, it left me feeling sad but also really inspired and motivated to tackle my own adventure, what ever the size! Thoroughly recommended!
September 19, 2023
The Shipping Forecast. A fixture in our island's broadcasting and seafaring life. An ever presence, reliable and certain.
Toby Carr's unique challenge to attempt to kayak all the regions of the Shipping Forecast, took him from Iceland to Portugal and many places in between. But the goal of kayaking all areas was unfilled due to his untimely death at the age of 40 from cancer.
The book is a beautiful account of the sea voyages, the places and people Toby encountered. His love for the sea and the wild exciting exploration sea kayaking affords shines through. His words. Yet given structure and meaning by his sister Katie following his passing.
To deal with the weight of losing her brother is an incredible burden. To take on the difficult task of turning reams of notes, audio recordings etc into a cogent book is admirable.
And to create a lasting legacy to an explorer, an adventurer, brother, friend, colleague is the most beautiful gift to the memory of an intrepid, incredible man.
A special book.
Toby Carr's unique challenge to attempt to kayak all the regions of the Shipping Forecast, took him from Iceland to Portugal and many places in between. But the goal of kayaking all areas was unfilled due to his untimely death at the age of 40 from cancer.
The book is a beautiful account of the sea voyages, the places and people Toby encountered. His love for the sea and the wild exciting exploration sea kayaking affords shines through. His words. Yet given structure and meaning by his sister Katie following his passing.
To deal with the weight of losing her brother is an incredible burden. To take on the difficult task of turning reams of notes, audio recordings etc into a cogent book is admirable.
And to create a lasting legacy to an explorer, an adventurer, brother, friend, colleague is the most beautiful gift to the memory of an intrepid, incredible man.
A special book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2025
It took me some time to get to the end of this lovely book. I stopped at about 3/4 through. Then recommenced some months later! Stop. Start again and so on.
However, this is NOT a reflection of the book. It is very well written and thoroughly enjoyable to any kayakers, weather, sea and many, many other people. The words of Toby Carr are
It was the fact that that we know that the protagonist, who bravely paddled almost all of the UK shipping areas (also bordering Spain, France and other European countries), tragically dies at the end.
It was written and put together posthumously by his sister Katie, over many months poring over her brother’s notes, photos, text conversations, recorded observations and a wealth of material left by Toby, in the expectation that HE would be completing the task.
As a kayaker (though not in the same league as Toby) and at an age where I find I am coming to dwell more and more on “how long I’ve got” I wonder if I enough tide left to get where I want in life, before being claimed by the sea as it recedes?? Macabre I know, but there it is!
Toby was having these thoughts with better reason and much more earnestly, my probably is that I simply DID NOT WANT TO REACH THE END of the book, with its inevitable conclusion.
But I am so glad and thankful that I now did, because in completing Toby’s story, Katie as done a SIMPLY WONDERFUL job!! Brilliantly allowing us to hear Toby’s words of pain, anguish & fear, but also the DELIGHT he learnt to take in every day, every wave, every friendly encounter, with such a resilient and positive attitude it comes bounding off the page!
With sympathy, empathy, poignancy, humour and love, she has propelled me through a book which I finished with tears in my eyes, of sadness yes, but also the JOY of life!
I know that sounds a little trite, dramatic I guess, but believe me, for those that do get to the “very end”there is such an ultimately positively & reassuringly loving message, I am so glad I did so.
This book is simply a delight on so many levels, a tribute to both Toby and Katie Carr and a love story of the institution that is the UK Shipping Forecast. :)
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August 11, 2023Thank you to Summersdale for my review copy.
I feel terrible for not enjoying this book as much as I wish I had. The author didn't have the chance to finish it and his sister was kind enough to do it for him. But unfortunately, it felt incredibly rushed.
Toby was lucky enough to see incredible places and even though you can *feel* what it was like to be on the kayak, it also feels like you're kayaking in a void. There are barely any descriptions of the places he was in which makes the book very unemotional and one-dimensional. The best chapters were the first ones and I guess that was because they were written by Toby, who experienced these places himself. I couldn't put the book down in the beginning. But I got tired of being thrown from one place to the other, sometimes multiple ones in one paragraph (especially in the last chapters) like all he was doing was kayaking as fast as he could and not stopping to admire where he was which I know wasn't true.
There is barely any introspection in this book which also doesn't help. He mentions his late brother and a few friends a few times but I wanted to know more about his life and what he was feeling in certain moments. But nothing. The lack of description and imagery was maddening at times. Especially when it struck a personal chord - Toby visited my hometown and "his experience" was worth half a page of flat text. I guess I should be grateful. The place where my parents grew up got 1 line and not even a positive one!
Obviously, I understand how hard it must have been to finish writing a book someone else started when Katie didn't even experience what her brother lived through but at the very least, maybe it would've been worth it for her to go to the places he went and try and picture what he felt by being there, instead of looking at photos on Google.
I don't know. Very disappointed by this book and very sad Toby passed away. He did seem like a great guy. Wonder if his friend glued his card back together.
I feel terrible for not enjoying this book as much as I wish I had. The author didn't have the chance to finish it and his sister was kind enough to do it for him. But unfortunately, it felt incredibly rushed.
Toby was lucky enough to see incredible places and even though you can *feel* what it was like to be on the kayak, it also feels like you're kayaking in a void. There are barely any descriptions of the places he was in which makes the book very unemotional and one-dimensional. The best chapters were the first ones and I guess that was because they were written by Toby, who experienced these places himself. I couldn't put the book down in the beginning. But I got tired of being thrown from one place to the other, sometimes multiple ones in one paragraph (especially in the last chapters) like all he was doing was kayaking as fast as he could and not stopping to admire where he was which I know wasn't true.
There is barely any introspection in this book which also doesn't help. He mentions his late brother and a few friends a few times but I wanted to know more about his life and what he was feeling in certain moments. But nothing. The lack of description and imagery was maddening at times. Especially when it struck a personal chord - Toby visited my hometown and "his experience" was worth half a page of flat text. I guess I should be grateful. The place where my parents grew up got 1 line and not even a positive one!
Obviously, I understand how hard it must have been to finish writing a book someone else started when Katie didn't even experience what her brother lived through but at the very least, maybe it would've been worth it for her to go to the places he went and try and picture what he felt by being there, instead of looking at photos on Google.
I don't know. Very disappointed by this book and very sad Toby passed away. He did seem like a great guy. Wonder if his friend glued his card back together.
June 14, 2023
First off, I’m not a sea kayaker, so don’t have much knowledge of the sport. (My husband is, so I witness second hand his love of being out on the water.) I will also admit to being drawn to the book because it was written following the death of Toby Carr - had it not been for that, I probably wouldn’t have looked at it.
There is something special about people experiencing loss who decide to make the most of life while they still have the opportunity. At the beginning of this adventure Toby didn’t know that he would die before he completed it, but the death of his brother and having a life limiting condition drove him to grab life by the proverbial horns. They chapters about the kayaking were interesting, particularly in terms of the people he met along the way, but for me, the most interesting chapters were at the beginning and end.
At the beginning, in chapters Toby managed to complete before his death, he describes his upbringing, family life and reasons for taking on the challenge. The other outstanding chapters were those written by his sister about events following his death. Katie has managed to beautifully and sensitively describe the aftermath of his death. Sprinkling his ashes and some of the memories shared was particularly poignant.
As a non-kayaker I found the actual kayaking accounts a bit too long, but someone who is at home on the water might think differently.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is something special about people experiencing loss who decide to make the most of life while they still have the opportunity. At the beginning of this adventure Toby didn’t know that he would die before he completed it, but the death of his brother and having a life limiting condition drove him to grab life by the proverbial horns. They chapters about the kayaking were interesting, particularly in terms of the people he met along the way, but for me, the most interesting chapters were at the beginning and end.
At the beginning, in chapters Toby managed to complete before his death, he describes his upbringing, family life and reasons for taking on the challenge. The other outstanding chapters were those written by his sister about events following his death. Katie has managed to beautifully and sensitively describe the aftermath of his death. Sprinkling his ashes and some of the memories shared was particularly poignant.
As a non-kayaker I found the actual kayaking accounts a bit too long, but someone who is at home on the water might think differently.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2023
Bought as a pre-order via bookshop, arrived Saturday and already finished it! Many reviews will speak about this being a moving story, which it is, but firstly this is a book about an amazing adventure and an amazing man. I am a sea kayaker so my area of interest but I think this book will take anyone along on Toby’s remarkable journey with its describes of an action filled solo expedition, with vivid descriptions of nature, history of the shipping forecast and its areas but also the funny and touching tales of the people that Toby encountered along the way. Sounds like he had an amazing ability to connect with people where ever he was and bring them into his challenge. One of the most moving parts of the book for me was how you get a real insight into this man’s unique and mind-bending take on life. Whilst he knew his would not get to live as long as he should, he just got on with it and made things happen. Left feeling inspired, hopefully and sad. It’s amazing how his sister has made this book happen. Writing so beautifully from Toby’s notes, recordings and blogs. Hope she gets to finish his adventure and write a second book.
August 22, 2025
This book is a beautiful blend of memoir, history, and adventure. Like a lot of people, I've been aware of the shipping forecast my whole life. I've never had a reason to listen to it for any sea-faring purpose, but I still find it strangely reassuring.
The majority of the book is about Toby’s sea kayaking adventures in different areas of the shipping forecast. Some places I know of, others I’ve never really considered. The tone then changes after he receives a diagnosis of terminal cancer.
I found the page that described Toby’s death incredibly moving, especially the part about him being mentioned in the shipping forecast.
Toby had written a couple of chapters before he died. His sister, Katie, finished the book for him, using his notes, audio recordings, and WhatsApp messages to write the rest. In a final chapter, she writes about the process in her own voice. It must have been an incredibly hard, and also wonderful, thing to go through all of his things to finish his story. It was a very brave thing to do.
The majority of the book is about Toby’s sea kayaking adventures in different areas of the shipping forecast. Some places I know of, others I’ve never really considered. The tone then changes after he receives a diagnosis of terminal cancer.
I found the page that described Toby’s death incredibly moving, especially the part about him being mentioned in the shipping forecast.
Toby had written a couple of chapters before he died. His sister, Katie, finished the book for him, using his notes, audio recordings, and WhatsApp messages to write the rest. In a final chapter, she writes about the process in her own voice. It must have been an incredibly hard, and also wonderful, thing to go through all of his things to finish his story. It was a very brave thing to do.
September 14, 2023
A book that makes you smile but also makes you sad. A lovely read and the language and way it is written was a pleasure to read - given the first three chapters were Toby’s and then it was continued by his sister - she really did him proud and an amazing job - as the reader you wouldn’t know it had switched and I felt I was fully with Toby until the last chapters.
Lots to learn and some amazing places visited and it has definitely spurred me to want to see more of the world once more and live for the moment.. The reason for 3 stars is I found the first and last thirds enjoyable but the middle 100 pages ish I found repetitive in their descriptions and sometimes lost where we were, how he got there, where the car suddenly appears from, even which year it is.
It’s a book I will keep on my bookshelf and remember and refer to when visiting some of the places in the future.
Lots to learn and some amazing places visited and it has definitely spurred me to want to see more of the world once more and live for the moment.. The reason for 3 stars is I found the first and last thirds enjoyable but the middle 100 pages ish I found repetitive in their descriptions and sometimes lost where we were, how he got there, where the car suddenly appears from, even which year it is.
It’s a book I will keep on my bookshelf and remember and refer to when visiting some of the places in the future.
June 12, 2023
This is an exciting and moving book about a man with an incurable health condition attempting to kayak in every area of the shipping forecast. I learned a lot about the history of the shipping forecast and interesting stories about each area. Toby is funny and self-deprecating. There are great anecdotes with the many people he meets on his journey. It's a real page turner as you feel like you are travelling with him and willing him on. The sheer determination of toby and his sister Katie is unbelievable. This a great book for anyone who loves the outdoors, the sea and adventure whether in life or from the arm chair as well as a story of personal challenge and heartbreak.
"Sometimes no matter how hard you try you can't win"
"It's never too late to live happily ever after"
"Sometimes no matter how hard you try you can't win"
"It's never too late to live happily ever after"
June 16, 2023
This is not my usual read but something about the plot drew me to it and I am so glad I did. It is all about one man who goes sea kayaking, I never imagined how I would be so captured with this story but it is so engaging and I didn't want to stop reading. I actually felt I learnt a great deal from this book about things I had no clue about. I enjoyed looking at the maps at the start of the book and they helped me make sense of things throughout the story. There was something so fascinating about this read and Toby. I found reading about Toby very moving and emotional, he is an inspiration. It is sad he never got to see the book but I think he would be very proud of his sister showing the world what an amazing man he was.
July 18, 2023
A lovely book, following Toby attempting to sea kayak all of the areas of the Shipping Forecast.
For those not familiar this is a radio broadcast of weather conditions for those on the sea but has become over time a rather calming British institution that people listen to even if they aren't near the sea.
The history of the areas is interesting as well as the people he meets and the funny moments.
The ending is moving even though I knew it was coming I was rooting for a different ending for Toby.
A unique and inspiring book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the authors and publishers for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
For those not familiar this is a radio broadcast of weather conditions for those on the sea but has become over time a rather calming British institution that people listen to even if they aren't near the sea.
The history of the areas is interesting as well as the people he meets and the funny moments.
The ending is moving even though I knew it was coming I was rooting for a different ending for Toby.
A unique and inspiring book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the authors and publishers for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2023
I picked this book up in a gorgeous independent bookstore on a whim. Having read it I feel deeply connected via the sea.
I think any hobby revolving around the sea brings with it a very special group of people - who give so much, are loyal, dependable and thoroughly good - with a side helping of cake! I loved this book - the storytelling is magical the images and environments it paints so vividly are beautiful. It makes you want to spend more time with the sea.
A journey of courage, strength, will-power whilst never taking anything for granted. A very special book. I would recommend.
A very fitting tribute.
I think any hobby revolving around the sea brings with it a very special group of people - who give so much, are loyal, dependable and thoroughly good - with a side helping of cake! I loved this book - the storytelling is magical the images and environments it paints so vividly are beautiful. It makes you want to spend more time with the sea.
A journey of courage, strength, will-power whilst never taking anything for granted. A very special book. I would recommend.
A very fitting tribute.
September 8, 2023
A beautiful memoir. As the title suggests this book is all about the shipping forecast areas. But it is also so much more. Toby, a keen and experienced kayaker, had an ambition to kayak in all of the shipping areas and, after much planning, his challenge begins. His story is inspirational and very moving and as he described his adventures I felt like I was with him. Katie, his sister, has done an incredible job putting his story together. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2024
This was another book read out of curiosity. I have loved the shipping forecast after discovering it on BBC radio following The Book at Bedtime - as a student in the 80’s. I am the world’s worst sailor, but love the idea of it.
This is a poignant story, with Tobys love for the sea and passion for paddling shining through. It’s sad as you know how it ends as you start it - but a lovely read.
As a non paddler I did find a few of the paddling descriptions a little long - skipped over them.
This is a poignant story, with Tobys love for the sea and passion for paddling shining through. It’s sad as you know how it ends as you start it - but a lovely read.
As a non paddler I did find a few of the paddling descriptions a little long - skipped over them.
January 10, 2024
What a book! Toby Carr, knowing he’s got a life-limiting condition, sets out to do something a completely healthy person would think twice about. Inspiring, informative (who knew that Sole sea-area is only given a forecast at midnight?) funny and inevitably sad by turns. I, for one, am very glad his sister decided to put this together from his notes.
April 5, 2024
This was a perfect book. A meditation; time spent on a verbal sea. I've always dreamed of visiting the Shipping Forecast locations, and Toby and Katie brought me there with their words. I cried at the end despite not knowing Toby personally. Spending time with him in the pages made me feel like I had been on the trip with him. I'll reread this one whenever I need time on the water.
February 12, 2025
What a lovely book. Taking something so familiar - the shipping forecast, our shoreline, coastal communities - and showing it through a whole new perspective. I didn’t expect to pick this up and end up in tears - but it’s a moving record of Toby’s adventures and his sister’s love to ensure we all got to read about them. It’s a wonderful legacy.
March 17, 2024
Both a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of visiting the areas of our Shipping Forecast. Could anything be more quaint and British? Kate, congratulations on getting your brother's story out there. Toby, you live on in the waves and forecasts that you love so much.
March 30, 2025
Great book! Interesting to read. Encouraging to hear of this spirit of adventure and tenacity. It was great to read of all the lovely people who came alongside Toby in his adventure as well. We hear so much negative stuff, this book was an antidote to negativity.
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