Moderate Becoming Good Later: Sea Kayaking the Shipping Forecast
£8.10£9.50 (-15%)
An exhilarating and deeply moving story of one man’s attempt to sea kayak the areas of the Shipping Forecast, perfect for fans of The Salt Path and Attention All Shipping
Foreword by Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping
The Shipping Forecast has been described as the UK’s national lullaby: a source of dependability and calm in our often chaotic world, it has charmed millions of listeners and aided generations of seafarers across the decades. No stranger to weathering a storm after living with a rare life-limiting condition and facing the death of his brother, avid kayaker Toby Carr set out to explore the areas of the Forecast.
On a journey that took him to the harshest and most tranquil stretches of our sea, Toby found the real people, places and stories behind the familiar names and imagined environments of the well-loved BBC broadcast. From the wildness and peace of the sea, looking back at the land, Toby hoped to gain the strength and balance he knew nature could provide and to discover what anchors us to each other.
Written by Toby’s sister Katie from his extensive notes and recordings after his untimely death, Moderate Becoming Good Later is both an epic adventure – sometimes choppy, constantly moving – and a personal voyage of discovery that includes old friends and new, plenty of wildlife, and the ever-present sea.
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Summersdale (8 Jun. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 336 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 180007610X |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1800076105 |
| Dimensions | 19.9 x 2.5 x 12.9 cm |
by Norman
What a wonderful and inspiring book this is , a real page turner . A talented writer Toby and his sister Katie have created a lovely story about sea kayacking and the famous weather forcast of which I needed when a trawler skipper for many years and relied on it so much . I would have loved to have met Toby he seems like one of lifes great characters . This book will appeal to anyone who loves adventure and the sea and wildlife .
by Shopper1959
What a beautifully written book…bought because I love sea kayaking, love the sea and love the shipping forecast. But it was so much more than just another adventure book and told an incredible compelling story within a story.
Toby’s strength of character, resilience and determination shone through and his ability to gather extraordinary people around him speaks volumes about the kind of man he must have been.
The writing is beautiful and descriptive and left me rereading sections just for the beauty of the prose. I know that I will read the book again many times and have no doubt that it will make me cry again as well as fill me with a renewed determination to value my life, my friends and the power of adventure.
Thank you Toby for your life and your example…and thank you Katie for your massive contribution and the incredible job you’ve done with this beautiful book.
by Mike
This is an exciting and moving book about a man with an incurable health condition attempting to kayak in every area of the shipping forecast. I learned a lot about the history of the shipping forecast and interesting stories about each area. Toby is funny and self-deprecating. There are great anecdotes with the many people he meets on his journey. It’s a real page turner as you feel like you are travelling with him and willing him on. The sheer determination of toby and his sister Katie is unbelievable. This a great book for anyone who loves the outdoors, the sea and adventure whether in life or from the arm chair as well as a story of personal challenge and heartbreak.
“Sometimes no matter how hard you try you can’t win”
“It’s never too late to live happily ever after”
by John Gilmour
A really great read I found this very emotional at times. Not only because I had met Toby a few times (he came to a few events I ran and joined me for a night paddle on the Thames on my visit to the Tower Hamlets club he was a member of) but also, as a sea kayaker myself who had also lost a brother.
There were times when I felt like I was there with Toby travelling to faraway islands and enjoyed reading the stories of the people he met along the way. And there were times I was crying for his friends for the overwhelming support they gave him.
This book is a story of overcoming massive obstacles in life that many people would use as an excuse to “do nothing”, ignoring them all and going on to achieve things that most people wouldn’t even dream of doing.
by Norman
This book is a wonderful read both for kayakers or non kayakers. It tells about the amazing adventure of a very brave, extremely kind man, who despite serious health problems are embarks on these epic journeys and sets an example of what is achievable if one has a positive attitude, courage and a kind heart.
It is poetically written and includes a lot of local knowledge and research.
It is a fantastic collaboration between sister and brother.
by Ruth B.
A wonderful book of adventure, warmth and heartache but it is full of inspiration and hope. Toby’s adventures to kayak the shipping forecast regions despite an incurable cancer creeping up on him is a story for us all – life offers up opportunities, take them. We the reader are the beneficiaries.
Sadly Toby died before completing his quest but it gave Katie – his sister- the opportunity to write his story from the notes and blogs he had written. She captures brilliantly his endeavours- both the highs and the challenges he faced.
An emotional roller coaster but shining through is Toby’s courage and the many friendships he encounters on his voyage.
A book with which you will not be disappointed.
by peter
Enjoyed this book. Would read it again.
by StevenChilton
Well written book, great not only for the kayaking, descriptions of travels and people met along the way. Also a very personal story, very moving, a super read, couldn’t put it down.