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Just Passing Through: A nomadic life afloat in France
There is something irresistibly romantic about the idea of living and travelling on a boat. In 2017 Mary-Jane Houlton sold her house, bought a boat called Olivia Rose and set off with her husband Michael and their two dogs to see if reality can ever live up to a dream.
They travelled the length and breadth of France and found that the world looks and feels very different from the water. Part travelogue, part memoir, this book explores not just the landscape and people of France, but also discovers what it really means to live life in a small space with few possessions, always moving on, far from friends and family.
If you enjoy travel adventures this book will take you on a beguiling journey through crowded cities and deserted villages, along peaceful canals and storm-lashed rivers. For anyone who shares their dream of making a life on a boat, there is also a wealth of information and advice to help you on your way.
They travelled the length and breadth of France and found that the world looks and feels very different from the water. Part travelogue, part memoir, this book explores not just the landscape and people of France, but also discovers what it really means to live life in a small space with few possessions, always moving on, far from friends and family.
If you enjoy travel adventures this book will take you on a beguiling journey through crowded cities and deserted villages, along peaceful canals and storm-lashed rivers. For anyone who shares their dream of making a life on a boat, there is also a wealth of information and advice to help you on your way.
- GenresTravelNonfictionMemoir
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2020
205 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Mary-Jane Houlton
9 books11 followersHow do you describe who you are? I find it impossible as we are all so many things. I have worked as marketing executive for a large multi-national company, but also run my own business as a landscape designer. I have had many different careers but most enjoyed being a Pilates instructor and a travel writer. Some of my ventures have been successful, some less so.
The best years of my life were spent on a small-holding in Wales, but then I gave it all up for an even better life on a boat in France. I have reached the slightly terrifying age of 64 and I am now happier than I have ever been.
The one passion that has been a constant throughout my life has been writing and so perhaps that is who I am at heart - a writer.
If you would like to keep up-to-date with our travels I publish a blog. You can follow me, and contact me at The Olivia Rose Diaries, which is the name of our boat.
The best years of my life were spent on a small-holding in Wales, but then I gave it all up for an even better life on a boat in France. I have reached the slightly terrifying age of 64 and I am now happier than I have ever been.
The one passion that has been a constant throughout my life has been writing and so perhaps that is who I am at heart - a writer.
If you would like to keep up-to-date with our travels I publish a blog. You can follow me, and contact me at The Olivia Rose Diaries, which is the name of our boat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 19, 2020
This book was not what I had imagined I'd be reading. I thought it would be a delightful story of an ex-pat couple who buy a boat and cruise the French canals and describe the villages and towns they saw. You know, the usual ex-pat moves to (fill in the blank) kind of book that I love. It turned out to be mostly detailed descriptions of engine troubles and problems tying up to bollards and the cost of camping sites and complaining about having to say Bonjour to the friendly French walking past their boat at dinner time. The extra star because France.
February 12, 2021
2021 Bk 25: Just Passing Through joins the many books about canal life on the rivers of France. Not as detail specific as some, the book is still enjoyable as we see a couple, not yet ready to retire completely, take on the challenges of moving into a boat and making it their life. I enjoyed the episodes of encounters between themselves and other boaters and seeing how their ties as a couple strengthen through the journey. I would label this more comfort read than 'how to do it'.
June 25, 2020
This book didn’t start off too badly and I enjoyed reading about the preparations and planning. However, I did get bored after a few chapters as firstly it’s very same old same page after page but mainly because the author becomes a political whinger! I already established she’s a bit of a self entitled tourist who thinks that because they’ve bought a boat it gives them the right to have sole use of the waterways and I was irritated by her sneering put downs of holidaying boaters. But she totally lost me bringing Brexit and the PM into her dreary world! Keep those opinions to yourself and out of your writing as millions of decent people voted for Brexit and Boris Johnson and may not appreciate your unnecessary rants!!
November 29, 2020
I didn't enjoy the book as much as I thought I would.
As a frequent visitor to France I was surprised the couple never mentioned anything about the food or the restaurants other than it being expensive to buy food .
Which isn't the case .
I do agree that the author became rather political and her dislike of the Prime minister came over which im not sure was necessary.
I guess for people looking to purchase a Boat it would be very helpful
As a frequent visitor to France I was surprised the couple never mentioned anything about the food or the restaurants other than it being expensive to buy food .
Which isn't the case .
I do agree that the author became rather political and her dislike of the Prime minister came over which im not sure was necessary.
I guess for people looking to purchase a Boat it would be very helpful
December 31, 2024
god this was so peaceful! i don’t think i could live full time on a canal boat, but i think i could do a canal boat holiday- i loved learning about the bits and bobs that go into this lifestyle and just being nosy as per usual!
April 22, 2021
Canal life in France
When a British couple are offered to buy a boat, a seed is planted. This is the story of a couple who sell everything they own to live aboard a boat, exploring life in the French canals. While I am fascinated with their experiences, I am also a bit too much of a land lover to fully understand. Yet, Mary-Jane does a terrific job in sharing ups and downs of sea faring life, as well as showing the reader why this lifestyle is perfect for her. It's a fun read, with sights to see and seasons to enjoy. I look forward to her continued stories of life on the canals.
When a British couple are offered to buy a boat, a seed is planted. This is the story of a couple who sell everything they own to live aboard a boat, exploring life in the French canals. While I am fascinated with their experiences, I am also a bit too much of a land lover to fully understand. Yet, Mary-Jane does a terrific job in sharing ups and downs of sea faring life, as well as showing the reader why this lifestyle is perfect for her. It's a fun read, with sights to see and seasons to enjoy. I look forward to her continued stories of life on the canals.
July 6, 2020
Great Read
I really enjoyed reading this book. Life is so different living on a boat. I'm from America and boating is just more for joy riding for a day. Most here life RV style. It was very interesting the things to do to get from one canal to another. Seems like living on a boat is a whole different kind of life. Meeting up with problems and planning their next steps. This sounds like fun but I don't think I would be able to do it. Whole different world than RVing. All in all it was a great book to read. Thanks for inviting me into your world of living.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Life is so different living on a boat. I'm from America and boating is just more for joy riding for a day. Most here life RV style. It was very interesting the things to do to get from one canal to another. Seems like living on a boat is a whole different kind of life. Meeting up with problems and planning their next steps. This sounds like fun but I don't think I would be able to do it. Whole different world than RVing. All in all it was a great book to read. Thanks for inviting me into your world of living.
September 30, 2020
Oh yes, a good read
As an avid reader of sailing books, I had not read much about inland waterways other than the hilarious Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington. This is not hilarious but is beautiful written a journal of the journeys taken by the author and her husband on their boat through France.
While we learn little about her husband, Michael, other than that jpgs is an all round Good Egg, the author shines through her writing. This makes the read such a pleasure, seeing their experiences clearly through her words and making the book such a pleasure to read.
As an avid reader of sailing books, I had not read much about inland waterways other than the hilarious Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington. This is not hilarious but is beautiful written a journal of the journeys taken by the author and her husband on their boat through France.
While we learn little about her husband, Michael, other than that jpgs is an all round Good Egg, the author shines through her writing. This makes the read such a pleasure, seeing their experiences clearly through her words and making the book such a pleasure to read.
June 29, 2021
Well eritten and interesting
While my wife have been on a number of barge cabal cruises in France, they have all been with a captain with meals provided, either on-board or at local restaurants - often excellent. In the States we owen and cruised a 38' Trawler with deep draft (and even pneumatic stabilizers). Despite the differences, the information provided in this book is valuable and on-point. Having an air-lock in the fuel lines in heavy traffic is not fun. Fortunately, we had twin engines, more expensive, but great for tight quarters and in emergency situations.
While my wife have been on a number of barge cabal cruises in France, they have all been with a captain with meals provided, either on-board or at local restaurants - often excellent. In the States we owen and cruised a 38' Trawler with deep draft (and even pneumatic stabilizers). Despite the differences, the information provided in this book is valuable and on-point. Having an air-lock in the fuel lines in heavy traffic is not fun. Fortunately, we had twin engines, more expensive, but great for tight quarters and in emergency situations.
January 26, 2022
This was a gentle journey along the canals of France, a delightful read. I wish Ms.Houlton had written more about the countryside through with they sailed. As I had already read her second book 'A Simple Life', I was looking forward to the sundry characters who might appear in this narraative- their descriptions, their talks, and much more about her and her mysterious non-loquacious husband. In short, a bigger flavour of the people and the places. But that apart, I loved the slow sailing of the story.
May 8, 2021
In 2017 Mary-Jane Houlton bought a boat called Olivia Rose. She, her husband, and two dogs traveled the length and breadth of France. Part travelogue, part memoir, this book explores the landscape and people of France. A journey through crowded cities and deserted villages, along peaceful canals and storm-lashed rivers.
The author relates a "true to life" experience. I enjoyed it as it seemed as though there.
The author relates a "true to life" experience. I enjoyed it as it seemed as though there.
June 20, 2022
Living on a boat
I enjoyed hearing about the different cities and small towns that they spent time in. Living on a boat for such long periods of time would not be my cup of tea. I love boating, but not for such long stretches of time. Interesting read, but not something I would ever want to do. I each his own I say!!😊
I enjoyed hearing about the different cities and small towns that they spent time in. Living on a boat for such long periods of time would not be my cup of tea. I love boating, but not for such long stretches of time. Interesting read, but not something I would ever want to do. I each his own I say!!😊
April 23, 2023
decent adventure
A well paced and enjoyable read. I appreciate a good mid life cast off and away story, and this delivers. The description of sights was quite well done, although I would have also appreciated a similar treatment to the persons involved. I had a better mental image of the dogs than the people.
A well paced and enjoyable read. I appreciate a good mid life cast off and away story, and this delivers. The description of sights was quite well done, although I would have also appreciated a similar treatment to the persons involved. I had a better mental image of the dogs than the people.
November 8, 2020
Enjoyable and Inspiring
One couple’s adventure of buying a boat they never planned to buy. Then, The journey they traveled to fall in love with life on the water. Definitely an enjoyable read.
One couple’s adventure of buying a boat they never planned to buy. Then, The journey they traveled to fall in love with life on the water. Definitely an enjoyable read.
November 20, 2021
An adventure through the rivers and canals of France
We had a Campervan for 10 years and enjoyed travelling through France this gives you the outlook from a boats perspective. I often wondered what it would be like to cruise along the waterways..
We had a Campervan for 10 years and enjoyed travelling through France this gives you the outlook from a boats perspective. I often wondered what it would be like to cruise along the waterways..
November 28, 2021
Just Ok
I enjoyed the adventure but really found it difficult to find any interest in the chapters. The storyline is one which I have a ton of interest but the day to day repetitive tasks were less appealing to read about than if the author wrote more about the cities visited.
I enjoyed the adventure but really found it difficult to find any interest in the chapters. The storyline is one which I have a ton of interest but the day to day repetitive tasks were less appealing to read about than if the author wrote more about the cities visited.
September 4, 2023
This is an easy read and it’s got me back into reading after a long break. Standard simple stuff but why does the author moan so much and annoyingly is so politically biased about Brexit, a PM and Britain!
January 4, 2024
It's not what I expected. Some of the info was new - buying the boat, wintering here and there, etc. - but much of it was the same old same old about every town they visited. I skimmed through much of it after the first third of the book.
July 16, 2020
Great read
I felt like I was on the boat also. The author has a fluid way of writing and makes u see events through her eyes
I felt like I was on the boat also. The author has a fluid way of writing and makes u see events through her eyes
October 12, 2020
Opinionated, brash and full of self importance. Dull book which nothing happens in .... zzzzzz
March 16, 2021
An easy relaxing read on the French waterways
May 28, 2021
Lovely armchair voyage
A lovely read to satisfy our restricted travel sanctions due covid. It definitely answered my notion about travel on French waterways!
A lovely read to satisfy our restricted travel sanctions due covid. It definitely answered my notion about travel on French waterways!
June 6, 2021
Loved this book.
The authors command of descriptive language and knack for telling her story made me wish to experience her life myself and vicariously, I did!
The authors command of descriptive language and knack for telling her story made me wish to experience her life myself and vicariously, I did!
June 10, 2021
Living the dream
This couple just did what we all want to do, they had the guts to just do it. Quick read.
This couple just did what we all want to do, they had the guts to just do it. Quick read.
August 29, 2021
Easy, interesting read of living on boat traveling through France.
September 12, 2021
Great read, with all the nitty gritty
Great book, with plenty of info, a window into pre brexit bliss that we once enjoyed! My only issue is I've finished it and I want more!
Great book, with plenty of info, a window into pre brexit bliss that we once enjoyed! My only issue is I've finished it and I want more!
December 13, 2022
Lessons learned
I really enjoy ed reading this book as it was slow and enjoyable to learn the Ways of living on the water
I really enjoy ed reading this book as it was slow and enjoyable to learn the Ways of living on the water
November 10, 2023
Interesting and
Written in detail with lot of interesting information; at times I used to feel like I was with them n Olivia sharing the time...very good...👍
Written in detail with lot of interesting information; at times I used to feel like I was with them n Olivia sharing the time...very good...👍
June 28, 2024
Love the idea of scaling back and the nomadic life but….
July 12, 2024
Easy read while on holidays!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews