The Curious Incident...

James Adams' new book brings to life two decades of his canal adventures from 1975-95 with youth groups and friends, aboard 30 traditional narrowboats, along 30 different canals and covering about 3,000 ‘lock-miles’* of Britain’s canal system.

As well as describing the delights and dangers of boat-handling in fair weather and foul, he also reflects upon various issues and crises arising from his relationships with his crew, and within himself. Such reflections touch on practical, philosophical, theological and psychological issues, with humour not far from any dodgy lock or long, wet, tunnel.

Underneath all the youth-filled adventures however, is the author’s own search for the truth about himself, with his final destination being far from the original moorings from where he first cast off the ropes. At the end of the book are 15 chapter-related therapeutic exercises for those who want to search for their own truth about and within themselves.

So hop on board and start the engine, for canal cruise journeys and reflections that you are unlikely to forget!

* ‘lock-miles’ are when you add the number of locks to the number of miles, for

   any particular journey.