Up the Rhine and Down the Danube

Any would-be sailor embarking on this nautical route will benefit greatly from experiences, both good and bad, encountered by the author. Hairy moments with fog and large barges on the mighty river Rhine, along with strong currents, huge waves and massive locks, test the skipper's maritime skills to the limit. Finding somewhere suitable to berth, endless documentation requiring an official stamp from local customs officers (limited English spoken) and their often incompetent police counterparts are a regular occurrence. Time-wasting bureaucratic practices, however, are quickly overlooked when a bottle of whiskey is produced. Surprisingly, we learn little about Brown's on-board life and even less about his relationship with the crew. All appear to work together and contribute to a successful voyage. Included in a series of appendices are details of the ship's log and list of yacht havens, hotels and restaurants used en route. The book, which is well-written, has an attractive cover, plus a section of coloured photographs. A good read and well worth the cover price.