Rites of Passage

RCC Pilotage Foundation / Yachting Monthly

Imray

£24.95

Thirteen iconic passages, all starting from within the British Isles and most staying there; all of them written eloquently by men and women with wide cruising experience, supported by chartlets, tidal streams and up-to-date pilotage information. Theo Stocker speaks of the self-confidence potentially engendered by completing any one of these challenges and Jane Russell promises to add a final three to her personal bucket list. As an east coast creek-crawler I felt attracted by Jane Cumberledge’s presentation of distant Milford Haven as a ria which might repay a fortnight’s exploration. But is the best cruising really as left-hand-sided as this collection suggests? Nothing north of Harwich until you reach Orkney? I welcome this fine book but might demand a recount.