Island Race - An Improbable Voyage Round the Coast of Britain.

This is one of my absolute favourite comfort-reads, I couldn't tell you how many times I've read it but it always hits the spot. I remember watching the BBC TV series back in the mid 90’s and enjoyed it so much, funny and informative in equal measure.

While John McCarthy was being held as a hostage in Beirut he dreamt about sailing as the ultimate freedom, so when he was released he teamed up with old friend Sandi Toksvig to sail around the coast of Britain on 'Hirta' and eighty-year-old wooden cutter.

Written in diary style, the two adventurers log their daily experiences, observations and thoughts as they go - often conjuring hilarious scenes. The trip starts in Jersey and ends in Falmouth, with differing points of view on the 'fun' of sailing but always warm hearted.

Anyone who likes travel, history, comedy or the great outdoors will like this book, trust me!