"Sea change" by Mairi Hedderwick

A welcome third publication by our local travel writer Mairi Hedderwick charting the "Summer Voyage from East to West Scotland of the Anassa." (Anassa being a 26' Lymington Slipway 5-ton cruiser built in Rangoon, from teak.)

The style is informative, humorous (both dry and celebratory) and captivating. We meet the now-expected fantastic characters and scenarios of the Hedderwick journeys. The form follows the journey intimately, and introduces us to the mysterious Captain, a man of few, well chosen words. Readers of Mairi's travels will agree that 'Sea Change' offers extra entertainment with the personal navigations of the Captain and crew.

The story sets sail with an engine cut out and grounding, Knickerless Knocks between the lock gates, and flows on through choppy minor disasters to "a cauldron of turbulence" - an engrossing read. We experience a dreamlike sequence with a visit to Coll (Chpt. 'Loch Nevis') only to realise that Anassa has slipped the mooring and is drifting out to sea. To complement the chatty, personal commentary, Mairi has interspersed the storyline with many references of historical and nautical note. There is also a well-researched chapter entitled "Sea Artists" which would sit well in a reference library.

In "Sea Change" we are treated to six full colour paintings in pull out seascape format, which capture the dramatic light play of the West Coast. Each would look well framed on the wall! There are also many sepia pen drawings to illustrate this one off watery wandering.

"Sea change" by Mairi Hedderwick `1999 Canongate £16.99 ISBN 0 86241 857 7 is available at all good bookshops.

TR