4.5 out of 5 stars
Travel memoir, barge life, Belgium
On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
On Goodreads HERE
There's something about Val Poore's books that's always a bit magical, and this is no exception. For three years in the last decade, she and her chap, Koos (and le chien terrible, Sindy), spent their weekends in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, on their barge Volharding, and this book tells me more about that country than anything else I've read; yes, it's more than 'just a place you stop and buy refreshments on the way to France'!
I loved the descriptions of some of the places in Brussels, in particular; the run-down Bohemian atmosphere of The Marolles and the beauty of Parc Duden (yes, I'd like to live in either of those places, too!). Just her accounts of normal days during those many wonderful weekends made me go 'ahhh' with longing, and nostalgia for her, too, now that circumstances has made them a thing of the past.
Many of Val's experiences can't have been fun (waking up to a canal with no water in it, Koos out on his own in a scooter in a blizzard, winter in a freezing on-board bedroom), but she relates them with the canal life, Belgian 'c'est la vie' attitude, if not humour, in this delightful tribute to a country she loves. If you have any interest in barge life, or indeed Belgium itself, I'd whole-heartedly recommend this book - but as with all of Val Poore's books, I'd recommend them to anyone, anywhere, anyway!
All other books by Valerie Poore reviewed by me HERE
5 out of 5 stars
Non Fiction, Memoir, Barge Life
Originally posted on Amazon UK HERE on 21 March 2014
On Amazon.com HERE
I think Val Poore is what I call a 'natural writer', in the same way as people like Bill Bryson; she writes about everyday activities and makes them interesting and amusing. This is an innate talent, it's not something you can learn in a creative writing class. I followed the installation of the bathroom on her barge with great interest!
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This book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of 'liggers', barge dwellers in Rotterdam. It's a lifestyle I envy, and I adored reading about every bit of it. I'm so glad there were photos in this book, they really added to it as I could see the progression Val was making with her barge (I'm not going to name it right now because it would mean looking up how to spell it!). I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes reading factual accounts of different ways of life, or to those with a particular interest in a watery life - but read her other book, Watery Ways, first, as it will make this one mean more. Loved it, absolutely loved it!
Watery Ways by Val Poore reviewed HERE
African Ways by Val Poore reviewed HERE
5 out of 5 stars
Non Fiction, Memoir, Barge life
Originally posted on Amazon UK HERE on 1 January 2014
On Amazon.com HERE
I loved every word!
In 1998 my ex-husband and I rented a narrowboat for 2 weeks, and I was in total bliss for a fortnight. I was so aware of the fact that we'd slipped just a few yards sideways into this parallel world that was visible to those on the land, but hardly noticed. When the fortnight was over I was deeply fed up!
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In Watery Ways, about Val Poore's new life on board barges in Rotterdam, she talks about this parallel world, too, and I envy her so much for living in it. It's a story of physical hardship and sacrifice, as well as friendship and fun, but at no time did I get the impression that she was anything worse than temporarily frustrated about things like having no running water, or light to dress by before going to work, or practical difficulties with the maintenance of the boats. As one who sees this sort of thing as a challenge, too, I loved reading about how she got over the problems, and also about how much they made her appreciate every small comfort, too. To me, this book is not only about the practical aspects of the watery life, but about making the most of every moment and not sweating over the stuff that doesn't matter.
If you have any interest at all in things boat, you should read this; it's a terrific book! Fascinating, funny - and it made me wish I could spend some time aboard the Vereeniging with the author and Koos, too!
Harbour Ways by Val Poore reviewed HERE
African Ways by Val Poore reviewed HERE
