Essential Reading

Circumnavigating the British Isles has grown in popularity in recent years. There's now a number of blogs charting various adventures upon the sea and in port. Prior to the advent of blogging there were just a few books published to whet the appetite for such a voyage.

One of the more popular and classic stories is Libby Purves 'One Summer's Grace' (Coronet 1989) - logging her families voyage, with two small children in 1988 in their cutter Grace O'Malley.

I was also inspired by Ellen MacArthur's 'Taking on the World' (Penguin 2003) charting her exploits including a UK circumnavigation in 1995 aboard Iduna.

The first of two guides which I've found provide essential advice in preparation and passage planning are first 'Sailing Around The UK & Ireland' for Practical Boat Owner (Allard Coles Nautical 2009) gleaning Roger Oliver's experiences of different routes and logs.

I've also valued the practicality and top 10's lists of the 'UK & Ireland Circumnavigator's Guide' for the Cruising Association by Sam Steele (Allard Coles Nautical 2011). Can you suggest the best castle anchorage, wildlife encounter, tidal race, culinary experience or whisky tasting distillery?

It's now time for final tasks and packing; so, I don't expect to be able to blog again until I arrive in Falmouth on Good Friday. Let the adventure begin.