Product Description

Damian Horner is scared that fifteen years in advertising have turned him into a bastard. As he approaches his fortieth birthday, he wants to see if he can be a good husband and a good father before it's too late. Siobhan, his wife, would like to find out too but has other worries. Do marriage and kids mean she's now trapped in a world of suburban domesticity? It takes a miserable day and a bottle of wine to change everything. Suddenly Damian and Siobhan decide to throw their lives in the air and escape to the French canals, taking with them their son Noah who is two years old and can barely talk, and their daughter India who is one and cannot walk. Told in two voices, we hear both sides of their story and get the whole truth as Damian and Siobhan describe coming to terms with themselves and their life on board an old fishing boat in France with no space, no fridge, no charts, no deadlines and no flushing toilet.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69910 in Books
• Published on: 2009-06-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Review
"Their adventures not only renew a passion for the slow life but are a great read" (Paul Blezard THE LADY )

"there's a brilliant bit towards the end describing how a clever idea from Shiv fixed the boat and saved the day" (Sam Leith DAILY MAIL )

"a fascinating insight into the journey the couple shared from their individual perspectives.. a unique and compelling story" (SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY )

"highly entertaining and full of interesting observations, particularly with regard to the difficulties involved when living in such embarrassingly cramped conditions" (SAILING TODAY )

About the Author
Damian Horner is a highly successful PR and marketing expert. At WCRS, one of London's top agencies, he worked on the iconic 'I bet he drinks Carling Black label' campaign. He was the youngest ever business director at Lowes, and then helped launch Mustoes, where he worked with clients as diverse as Sony, Lever Brothers and Prudential. This is his first book. Siobhan Horner had a highly successful career in the travel industry before starting a family. Her favourite job was as Marketing Director for the New Zealand Tourism Board. She left to become a freelance marketer covering travel as well as non-travel brands such as New Scientist magazine.This is her first book. Siobhan Horner is a highly successful PR and marketing expert. This is her first book.

Customer Reviews

Boats, babes and breaking free...
If you've ever had one of those 'What if...?' conversations with your partner and regret not finding out the answer, this book is for you. The authors' 'What if...?' conversations led them to take an old wooden boat through France with two small children, with no idea what they would do at the end of the trip, or even how long it would take. Having lived out one of my own 'What if...?' conversations, I'd highly recommend this book. It's a warm, funny, touching, engaging, inspiring and very honest account of how two people gave up what looked like a great life on the surface (but was killing them underneath) for a new life of adventure, self-discovery, renewal and the unknown. Brave people, great story - it may be their first book but I'm sure it won't be their last.

Interesting story, but the writing is flat
I've just finished this book and thought it was a great escape for the summer--especially since we won't be going on holiday ourselves this year. It is packed with details about traveling through France on the canals--with two children under three no less! However, it's prose was flat and left me wanting more at the end. For example, both authors "sum up" at the end how proud they are of themselves --stating clearly how much they believe they've changed from their experience--and yet I felt I hadn't been shown that throughout the story. In particular Damien never seems to let go the idea that caring for his own children for more than the usual Saturday compromises his manhood. So much so he has to prove his manhood by diving in the poo infested waters of the canal to finally do something on his own terms as a real man presumably would. I felt they had discovered they could travel and somethings about their relationship, but they were very much the same people (a full time mum and a manly man bringing home the bacon) as they were when they left England. A good read for hot days in the sun--but not too substantial.

Excellent
Writing a bit flat ? I couldn't agree less, this is a great read. The format is unusual (intermingled differing/contrasting points of view from the 2 adults - while not letters it reminds me of Les Liaisons Dangereuses), and the (true) story moves forward nicely with a readable leisurely style. Interesting and enlightening (for me anyway) observations about France, WWII, other boat travellers, and also about the change/development of the main characters.
Highly recommended.