Archive for January 21st, 2007

Information Overload

Ouch my head hurts 

I’ve been planning and thinking about the book for months, and anyone who can’t escape from me has been bored to death on the subject. Sooner or later however, I guess I was going to have stop making excuses, stop the talking and actually get around to writing the book. I started this morning. How hard can it be?

Well, I’ve been sat here all day (admittedly with a not especially brief MTBing work-avoidance interlude) and my head feels like it is going to explode. I didn’t expect this, I regularly write for magazine publication. What is different this time?

Well, the first culprit is Pesda Press, the publishers. They have supplied a daunting pamphlet full of rules and conventions to follow. These rules are 30% absolute, 30% relative and 40% nebulous. For example, you’d never believe what a big deal it is, trying to figure out whether to type ‘miles’ or ‘kilometres’ (or ‘km’ or ‘knots’ or ‘nm’ etc.).  Don’t get me started on numbers. Added to this is the business of explaining tidal flow and behaviour, which is a bit like trying to nail jelly to the ceiling, with ‘amusing’ consequences for future paddlers if I make even a minor mistake. I am culling information from several sources and often they don’t even have the good grace to agree with one another…arrgggh.

Well, I always knew that writing the first chapter would be hardest. The good news is that I have a shining beacon to guide me. ‘Welsh Sea Kayaking’ by Jim Krawiecki and Andy Biggs was published last autumn. This excellent book has kept me sane. Each time I hit a wall (about every 5 minutes) I ask myself, “What would Jim and Andy do?” and reach for their book. I am grateful to them and suspect that I will become more so, over time!

So, where have I actually been writing about, today?

Lundy Island

Lundy Island

 


The Book

The Book

A Sample Chapter

Prawle Point in south Devon.

About

During 2006-8 I researched, photographed and wrote a sea kayaking guide to the South West of England; from the Bristol Channel to the Isle of Wight. I have used this blog to keep folk updated as to my progress and to reveal some of the wonderful scenery, culture and wildlife of this little corner of England.

Pesda Press Titles

 

Sit-on-Top Kayak Sea Kayak Navigation

 

Welsh Sea Kayaking Sea Kayak

 

The Northern Isles Scottish Sea Kayaking

 

Oileáin English White Water

 

Scottish White Water Kayak Rolling

 

British Canoe Union Coaching Handbook BCU Canoe & Kayak Handbook

 

Kayak Surfing The Seamanship Pocketbook

 

Scottish Canoe Classics Scottish Canoe Touring

More Good Reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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