Arthur Ransome Books - which one is best?

[Roach1948]

I have never read any Ransome, but recently bought the whole box set for my Godson's christening. I can't read all of them before the Christening date, so which one shall I read before I give it to him (considering I am based on the East Coast)?

 

[Poignard]

I enjoyed "Racundra's First Cruise" but maybe that is not included if your set only has the childrens' books in it?

 

[Roach1948]

No - I have EVERYTHING!

The thing with RFC is that I am really enjoying TEALs adventures in Classic Baot, and would like to read it after his installments end.

Anybody recommend Secret Water? I believe it is about Hamford Water? Please correct me...

 

[albineer]

I enjoyed RFC because it's about the man and his boat. Seeing you are going to Pin Mill why not try "We didn't mean to go to sea" and "Secret Waters". Thanks I've just found a signature.

 

[wetndry]

"We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea" is my favourite. "Coot Club" is another good Norfolk one.

 

[webcraft]

Another vote for "We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea"

- Nick

 

[BrendanS]

My favourite of all of them is Great Northern

 

[AJW]

For an East Coast man it has to be 'Secret Water' or 'We didn't mean to go to sea'. Secret water is set on the Walton Backwaters, whilst We didn't mean to go to sea is set on the North Sea.

 

[Roach1948]

I have chosen We Didn't Mean to got to Sea. I'll let you know what I thought in a week or so.

 

[machurley22]

An excellent choice. I'll be surprised if you don't finish it in a sitting though, never mind a week.

 

[BrendanS]

Damn and blast you. I think I'm going to have to go and buy and read them all again from an adult perspective. Last time I read them all I was 10 to 13 years old.

 

[Roach1948]

Just finished varnishing Roach's new boat hook - that is why! I think it will be hard to keep awake if I read in the coming days before launching...so might be more than a week.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

hee hee....

I read them to my daughter as a bedtime story.... i'm not sure who enjoys them the most..../forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

After 'Secret Water' and 'We didn't mean to go to sea', I heartly recommend 'Peter Duck'...

 

[Slinky Spring]

A vote for starting at the beginning with S & A to at least get a fix on who the characters are. Always liked Pidgeon Post as well. Having grown up on the books my first trip to "Wild Cat Island" in my first boat was a tear jerking moment.

 

[Santana379]

I agree with "start at the beginning". Saying that, WDMTGTS is probably the best. I may be a tad biased of course, having sailed to Flushing in Nancy Blackett, the real Goblin.

Roach - in case you're interested, Nancy Blackett is usually kept at Wolverstone Marina, and loves to have visitors. She's currently, as I type this, somewhere on passage between Dover and Bursledon, but will be back in the Orwell in a few weeks.

Anyway - a really great present for your Godson. You're obviously preparing him to be crew!

Little Knot

 

[Talbot]

Hands up all who originally got interested in the sea due to these stories:

 

[Roach1948]

Started WDNMTGTS and loving it. I can't read all 12 before I give it to him, so hence catching one or two before the big day in June. The parents are non-sailors so your assumption is dead right. Knowing me I will re-read them anyway as I will probably get a set for myself; I last did this when a friend lent me one of the Flashman series and I got hooked.

Roach will now be based at Pin Mill, so Goblin's home port! I will keep a look out for the NB but I have already seen her on many an occasion and last saw her laid-up at Robertson's where here topside paint looked impeccable.

PS. I hear Pin Mill has a seagull S**T problem - could that be why the NB is not based there?

 

[Santana379]

It would be lovely to moor Nancy Blackett where Ransome did, and where Jim Brading kept the Goblin, at Pin Mill.

However access is very difficult, and the boat is sailed by different crews most weekends. She also has vistors from as far afield as Japan. She is therefore kept on a pontoon berth as nearby as possible, at Wolverstone.

She winters over at Robertson's excellent yard in Woodbridge each year now, where they do a fabulous job of maintaining her. Archie's brushwork on the topsides and brightwork is particularly impressive. Last winter they (Alan) made a superb board for the new Tacktick instruments which attachs to the top of the hatch with over-centre catches. When she's on display the instruments can be stowed away in an instant. Despite the new fluxgate compass, we've kept the original one behind the porthole.

Next winter her big present will be a new engine (Nanni 21hp).

Good luck with Roach's big day.

Little Knot

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

If only Coots In The North had been finsihed... Otherwise I couldn't choose a favourite, I re read them all quite often. having said that, Missee Lee may be my least favourite, unlike the other "cabin tale" Peter Duck, it lacks credibility at times.

 

[suse]

[ QUOTE ]
Hands up all who originally got interested in the sea due to these stories:

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Swallows and Amazons, 6, Shoreham to N France and back.

S x