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Amazon.co.uk Review
The British Isles are blessed with a whole variety of waterways often encompassed within beautiful valleys, rolling hills, green fields and rugged coast lines. The presence of a flowing stream, waterfall or an idyllic pond can enhance a picturesque landscape.
While swimming in the moat located in his own back garden, inspired by thoughts of his son's current quest travelling in Australia and John Cheever's classic short story, The Swimmer, Roger Deakin decided he would undertake his own adventure and swim across Britain.
The Rambling Association's Right to Roam campaign is well publicised in the UK, so should that not include our right to swim in our lakes, dykes, and tarns? Deakin was ready to prove it did and planned a trip around Britain which would take him to numerous wild swimming venues.
Waterlog, is Deakin's account of his journey. He seeks out tarns high in the hills of north Wales, swims with salmon in Somerset and eels in the Fens. He describes the nature he sees around him from his unusual perspective inches above water level. His love of swimming away from the confines of a swimming pool comes through strongly in his writing. Wild swimming is an unusual hobby in modern society as we are constantly told how our rivers and lakes have become polluted by large industries disposing of waste via waterways and chemical fertilisers washing off farmers fields into out rivers. During his visit to a weir on the River Avon in Worcestershire, Deakin's hosts and fellow swimmers show him a letter they have received from the local environment agency outlining the dangers of swimming in the river. The letter describes how sewage can constitute up to 80 percent of the river flow and increase the risk of catching Weil's disease. Deakin takes in the scientific argument, arguing that the figures show that very few people catch Weil's Disease in the UK and of those who do, they are invariably not river swimmers.
Deakin has produced a deeply personal account of his journey. He informs us of any cultural, historical or geographic points of interest in a highly descriptive writing style which does not, however, read as an adventure story. Unfortunately, this means there is no climax to the book as a whole, but it does mean each chapter stands alone as a description of each area. Together, they make an interesting read and leave the reader with a wealth of information from an unusual perspective. --Stephen Payne --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The Independent, Simon Usborne
`a brilliant and compelling view of Britain from a few inches above its neglected waterways'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Not everyone gets this book. I have given it to several likely suspects who were only half convinced. But for me it goes into my all-time greats. And has, and will, see me plunging into water for the sheer hell of it whenever i can. A 'wild swim' immediately turns the day into a special day. Deakin reminds us that just because no one else is, doesnt mean we cant. What a literary braindump of natural science, social history, geology, modernity, the human condition. A true eccentric, who held dear and firm his beliefs in this ever-changing world. Roger, I salute you!
61 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A quote from the cover - 'A delicious, cleansing, funny, wise and joyful book, so wonderfully full of energy and life. I loved it'. Tis true. It's an ideal relaxation book. The author swims in rivers, lakes, lidos, the sea and other outdoor watery places around Britain and describes beautifully the experience of the inner man and the nature he feels so much a part of. He throws in interesting history and anecdote to enlighten us as to how many of the swimming holes came to be. You end up feeling like you're sharing the journey with someone who truely loves what he's doing.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm only about a third of the way through this book but wanted to add to the reviews on the site. If, like me, you happen on this page by accident and think "why not?" please follow through with that first thought and buy this amazing book. It's so rare to find work that really cant be criticised and this, the eloquent reflections of what must have been a wonderful man, could well be one of those rare finds. It's exceptionally well written, filled with intimate details of what England must have been like in less commercial times and as fluid, rhythmic and enchanting as the rivers and streams the author so clearly loves. Did I mention you should buy it?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wild Swim Classic
I dip into this book from time to time and always really enjoy it.
Lately its good to look at the locations with googlemaps too.
Lately its good to look at the locations with googlemaps too.
Published 2 months ago by the main man
Waterloged
Excellent book
Then my wife acidentaly spilt a whole glass of water over it now it is waterloged for real!
Then my wife acidentaly spilt a whole glass of water over it now it is waterloged for real!
Published 4 months ago by rodastro883
Watery cold
As close to a divine emmersion in native waters as one can get without actually getting in.
I felt after each reading session that I, my body and mind, had been in that... Read more
I felt after each reading session that I, my body and mind, had been in that... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lancly
wild swimming
This is a distinctive book which is fasinating for those who like local history and rivers etc. The author goes swimming in streams and rivers throughout the land, and tells the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by tattwa
A wonderful book!
A wonderful read, can be a fast read or a chapter at a time to be savoured :o) This book stuck
a note with me as the author was in a similar frame of mind when he started his... Read more
a note with me as the author was in a similar frame of mind when he started his... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dee
wonderful descriptive read
Oh how I loved this marvellous book. It's beautiful descriptions of nature, history of swimming long past and feisty defending for the future. Read more
Published 7 months ago by swimmingjenny
A late arrival, still valid
I'm only halfway through Waterlog and surprised I missed it when first published in 1999. I'm enjoying it so much I felt the urge to show my instant appreciation. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Bristly Badger
An interesting read
I was slightly dissapointed with this book, maybe because I had such great expectations after all I had heard about it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by lolage
A Very Good Read
Roger's fascination with wild swimming bordered on obsession at times, which I found a little unnerving. Read more
Published 10 months ago by SpasmodicBrilliance
I Wish I Could've Met You Roger Deakin
If you love water, wildlife, lyrical prose, and eccentric people then this book is for you. It's a marvellous, meandering triumph of one man's experience of water, swimming in it... Read more
Published 11 months ago by bubbletrouble
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