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The Princess Matilda Comes Home
Shane and Tim Spall are on the second leg of a very big adventure, taking their Dutch barge The Princess Matilda around the coast of Britain.
From Matilda’s winter berth in Cardiff, Shane and Tim follow the Welsh coast, before ambitiously deciding to visit the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. Along the way they cross Cardigan Bay in the company of a pod of dolphins, meet the king and queen of Piel Island, get lost in shipping lanes near Liverpool, successfully cross the notorious Irish Sea (twice!), accidentally sail through an army firing range, and experience the matchless beauty of Scotland’s Caledonian canal. Emerging into the North Sea at Inverness, they set a course down the east coast for London, back where their journey began.
Tim and Shane aren’t the amateur sailors they once were, but things still don’t always go to plan. It’s not easy navigating our dangerous coastal waters, and crashing waves and strong tides can be terrifying. But it’s exhilarating too, and the realisation of a dream they have had for a very long time.
It’s a slow journey, but a satisfying one, visiting fishing villages and ports, and exploring Britain’s windswept coast. Along the way they meet brave lifeboat crews, lockkeepers, fishermen and a whole host of people who make their living or their leisure on the water. The Princess Matilda Comes Home is a funny and warm hearted story about sharing a great adventure with someone you love.
From Matilda’s winter berth in Cardiff, Shane and Tim follow the Welsh coast, before ambitiously deciding to visit the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. Along the way they cross Cardigan Bay in the company of a pod of dolphins, meet the king and queen of Piel Island, get lost in shipping lanes near Liverpool, successfully cross the notorious Irish Sea (twice!), accidentally sail through an army firing range, and experience the matchless beauty of Scotland’s Caledonian canal. Emerging into the North Sea at Inverness, they set a course down the east coast for London, back where their journey began.
Tim and Shane aren’t the amateur sailors they once were, but things still don’t always go to plan. It’s not easy navigating our dangerous coastal waters, and crashing waves and strong tides can be terrifying. But it’s exhilarating too, and the realisation of a dream they have had for a very long time.
It’s a slow journey, but a satisfying one, visiting fishing villages and ports, and exploring Britain’s windswept coast. Along the way they meet brave lifeboat crews, lockkeepers, fishermen and a whole host of people who make their living or their leisure on the water. The Princess Matilda Comes Home is a funny and warm hearted story about sharing a great adventure with someone you love.
- GenresTravel
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2014
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 14, 2020
Shane Spall is not just the beloved wife of Timothy Spall the brilliant British actor. She is also one of my favourite author's. Why? Well, when I read her books, ... the first was The Voyages of Princess Matilda, and now the sequel The Princess Matilda Comes Home, I find myself reading them ever so slowly. So slowly that it can take me three or four weeks to get to the last chapter. The reason being, that I never want to reach the end of her delicious descriptions of their adventures together on their bespoke barge The Princess Matilda.
Each paragraph has me totally immersed in their experiences, whether it's doing battle with sopping wet ropes, nervously climbing a slimy, rusty ladder, braving an unfriendly sea whilst their home comforts throw themselves to the floor, or those moments when they arrive at their next port of call as the sun sets before them over the now calm, reflective waters that once threatened to tear their floating home apart.
Shane's descriptions of the places they visit, the history, and the people they meet along the way are always captivating, whether they are about a truly thoughtless person treating her as though she was invisible, a heroic bunch of lifeboat men, or the genuinely helpful people that they encountered throughout their journey around the seas of Britain.
Her truth and humour always shine through, and for me, she is the quintessential raconteuse.
Each paragraph has me totally immersed in their experiences, whether it's doing battle with sopping wet ropes, nervously climbing a slimy, rusty ladder, braving an unfriendly sea whilst their home comforts throw themselves to the floor, or those moments when they arrive at their next port of call as the sun sets before them over the now calm, reflective waters that once threatened to tear their floating home apart.
Shane's descriptions of the places they visit, the history, and the people they meet along the way are always captivating, whether they are about a truly thoughtless person treating her as though she was invisible, a heroic bunch of lifeboat men, or the genuinely helpful people that they encountered throughout their journey around the seas of Britain.
Her truth and humour always shine through, and for me, she is the quintessential raconteuse.
February 22, 2019
Loved it, I've seen some of the TV series but had no idea of Timothy Spall's backstory. Shane's re-telling of their journey is simple in many ways, but also inspiring. Planning to head back to the UK one day and travel that coastline - probably in a combie rather than a barge though!
December 3, 2019
Again, a genuinely moving, funny, heart-felt story. Makes me want to visit all these tiny coastal towns. Really makes a girl sad to be land-locked. Shane Spall has a natural gift for writing and I can't possibly recommend her books or the Somewhere At Sea television series highly enough.
May 5, 2017
Really enjoyed this very personal story
September 1, 2017
Really good book. I have recently learnt to sail and I can totally understand Tims anxiety every time he sets out. I do hope they venture further afield and recommend it to anyone.
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July 28, 2015Maintained the standard of the first book, intertwining the stories of her husband's illness with their fabulous trip around Britain. Highly reminiscent of my own book/adventure Walking on WaterWalking on Water 10559021at times, but these tropes go with the territory to some extent. Recommended for those who enjoy travel/adventure/life stories.
June 8, 2016
This is funny, heartfelt, adventure. Not just a travelogue but a journey through a very personal life event through illness.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews