rays
New member
Picked this up recently. It's a good read. GRJs writes well and it's a good tale. East coast connections also help.
To the Baltic with Bob by Griff Rhys Jones
- Thread starter rays
- Start date
boatbuilder
Active member
Yes very good book, heard on radio today that there will be a christmas program with the people who did the thames trip sailing on his yacht.
Searush
New member
Yup, another vote for that one - just need to get my copy back from daughter-in-law.
jezjez
Active member
Very good read. Just the trip i had wanted to make myself.
FAITIRA
New member
In a minority, sorry, found it monumentally boring, when I had to read it for the lack of anything else.
Parsonsheath
Active member
Read this post after seeing his prog on 01.01.2008, gorgeous boat.
Copy purchased from Amazon for 1p plus £2.75 postage, so even were I not to enjoy it would be no great loss, tho believe I will enjoy!
Copy purchased from Amazon for 1p plus £2.75 postage, so even were I not to enjoy it would be no great loss, tho believe I will enjoy!
Rabbie
New member
I am reading it now - after seeing the '3 men in another boat' series. It was interesting to note that items contained in the TV progs was 'used' from the book. IE. The rush to get to a race venue. Choosing crew 'uniform' from a discount store etc. Bit like deja-vu for me. Anyone else notice? Average read though.
wetndry
New member
I thought he was unusually unpleasant about his friends. I wouldn't want to sail with GRJ if he might write about he in that way. Most travel and boaty writers are far more sympathetic to their friends' foibles.
DorsetPete
New member
The book is boring and dificult to read and would you believe he had to pay his 'friends' to do the trip with him!
And he paid then differing ammounts and of course they couldn't keep it to themselves so jealousy reared its ugly head!
It's a sad reflection on our times I think, that a multi millionaire - which GRJ is - still can't rustle up some genuine mates to do the trip!
And he paid then differing ammounts and of course they couldn't keep it to themselves so jealousy reared its ugly head!
It's a sad reflection on our times I think, that a multi millionaire - which GRJ is - still can't rustle up some genuine mates to do the trip!
Parsonsheath
Active member
Just finished reading it, and have to agree with the other comments, would prob not have read it were it not for his name, but the book does him no favours, and frankly disappointing.
Athene V30
Active member
I read the book just before Griff came to speak at our Sailing Assiociations Winter Talk. The Talk was of course hilarious and even got mentioned in his next book (name of which escapes me at present).
Enjoyed the first half or so then did think it became a little repetitive. Off on holiday in a week - might take it with me and try it again.
Enjoyed the first half or so then did think it became a little repetitive. Off on holiday in a week - might take it with me and try it again.
jhr
Well-known member
I'm just re-reading it at the moment. I enjoyed it first time round and it still makes me laugh, never more so than in the first chapter, where he's talking about boatyards being incapable of doing what they've said they will.
I agree that it tails off a bit towards the end - possibly reflecting the reality of the cruise, i.e. that once they'd reached St Petersburg, which was his main objective, there wasn't so much to look forward to, and Autumn was drawing in?
I agree that it tails off a bit towards the end - possibly reflecting the reality of the cruise, i.e. that once they'd reached St Petersburg, which was his main objective, there wasn't so much to look forward to, and Autumn was drawing in?
