I’m glad to say that I’m not completely working in the dark on ‘South West Sea Kayaking’. Two books have already been written for the publisher along the same lines, ‘Scottish Sea Kayaking’ and ‘Welsh Sea Kayaking’. Consulting them for inspiration has saved my sanity on more than one occasion!
The third of Pesda’s British sea kayaking guides is available in print, as of today, ‘The Northern Isles - Orkney and Shetland Sea Kayaking’. I am certainly looking forward to reading this book. I haven’t paddled up that way for over a decade and pretty much all I recall of Orkney is howling wind.. but just the sample chapters make me want to head all the way up there right away! However, I will have to restrain myself for this year at least, as I have rather a lot of work to do here in the south west. In the meantime, the publication of this book means that I will have yet another helpful pointer to make my life easier. Thanks, chaps!
As well as taking inspiration from the existing books, find out what people think is wrong with them. One thing I’ve noticed in the Scottish book and I see it again in the first sample chapter of this one is that the text refers to places which are not named on the map. This makes it gratuitously difficult to follow the description without also having the relevant OS map (or a chart) to hand.
Now, I’m sure nobody should be doing these trips with just the book - the maps are essential, but when you’re sat on the bog dreaming and planning, the need for a large floppy map is unhelpful !
Andy
As noted, I think that the current books have numerous strengths. However, I have given some thought to how to develop on their work.
After lots of consideration I think that in the main, the previous books have got it right on almost all counts. Just how much so becomes apparent when you spend some time trying to do it for yourself! Maps is one area that I felt could be developed further, however.
http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18773