A Mirror Odyssey from North Wales to the Black Sea
By A.J. Mackinnon
352 pages. July 2002. Paperback. $19.95
ISBN 1 57409 152 2
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In 1998, A.J. Mackinnon set off from his home in England aboard the Mirror dinghy JACK DE CROW with the intent of taking a one-week jaunt down the Severn river; one year later, he drifted out onto the Black Sea, puzzling over where the last 365 days had gone.
In his tiny craft — less than eleven feet in length — MacKinnon crossed the English Channel and traversed 3,000 miles of rivers, canals, and open sea, along the way passing through eleven countries, including war-torn Yugoslavia during a time of crisis.
This book highlights the many adventures that took place during this unexpected journey, including an arrest by River Police while struggling against a night-tide under Westminster Bridge, a chance encounter with Michael Palin, a shipwreck during a storm off the east coast of Britain, the solo crossing of the English Channel, a tear-gas attack in the Budapest Metro, and even capture at the hands of Romanian river pirates in the Danube Delta.
Sixty finely-drawn pictures and maps illustrate the text.
“Effortlessly informal, acutely observant and infectiously enthusiastic, Mackinnon's odyssey has been steadily gaining word-of-mouth repute. It's the sort of book people buy in quantities to give to their friends.” —Classic Boat
“…one of the most original and entertaining books on sailing and voyaging to come out in years.” —Sailing
“…will have you alternately laughing and shaking your head in disbelief at the brilliant insanity of the ill-defined quest.” —Cruising World
“…the cavalier attitude, wit, and romanticism of this book are enough to capture the heart of any adventurer…” —Watercraft
“…rich entertainment.” —Good Old Boat
- See what else the press has to say: Reviews
About the Author:
While teaching at an English university, Australian writer A.J. Mackinnon decided to take a short trip aboard his tiny dinghy.