Review of Bluewater Walkabout
-
Lynda Howard
- Posts: 172
- Joined: 02 Sep 2021, 04:44
- Currently Reading: Gringo
- Bookshelf Size: 48
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lynda-howard.html
- Latest Review: Bluewater Walkabout by Tina Dreffin
Review of Bluewater Walkabout
[Following is a volunteer review of "Bluewater Walkabout" by Tina Dreffin.]
Bluewater Walkabout, written by Tina Dreffin, is an exceptionally well-written and extremely personal travel memoir that will take you on a trip from Africa into the Atlantic during 2002. It’s the story of an adventurous woman, her husband Peter, and their two teenage sons, Adam and Warren. Tina’s story takes the reader on a journey to Port Elizabeth, South Africa to take delivery of their new St. Francis 44 catamaran, and their perilous ocean passage towards their final destination, Grenada. Bad weather conditions, shark attack warnings, explosive teenage outbursts, and rogue waves turn their voyage into an adventure way more dangerous than they had ever expected.
When first arriving in South Africa, the family embark on an African safari to the Kruger National Park, which is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. They intend to sight the big five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. Their adventures will bring the reader face to face with a giant bull elephant, looking regal, silhouetted against a late afternoon African sunset, and onwards in search of nature’s fastest cat, the cheetah. They soon find that Africa is a country of unimaginable splendour. Mountains, bush plains, and tropical forests are all part of the landscape.
Before setting sail from Port St. Francis Marina in South Africa, for the impending 6000-mile passage to Grenada, two of their children's friends join them. Once they leave the African coast, they would not have access to modern ports for provisions until they reached St. Helena, an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean nearly 1300 miles away. Whilst preparing to leave, Tina would often chat with the fishermen to learn about the weather patterns. Weather in South Africa on the high seas was an arduous task even for the experienced sailor, and certainly not for the novice yachtsman. Before beginning the ocean crossing, Cape Town would be their first port stop. The journey comprised of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, also known as the Cape of Storms. Because of the navigational issues, shipwreck casualties along the South African coast were frequent. They sailed close to the tip of Cape Agulhas, which is a sanctuary for birds and sea life, and then onwards to Cape Town and the magnificent Table Mountain.
Bluewater Walkabout was captivating and inspirational because Tina shared not only the many happy and exciting adventures in her life, but also shared many painful memories. Her storytelling allows you to connect with her loss, sadness, and vivid imagination. Her realistic and heartfelt writing style enables the reader to feel as if they are there right beside her every step of the way. Every chapter begins with a quote that is both timeless and appropriate. Her descriptions of the different locations they visit are both vivid and colourful. Her honesty and bravery, as well as the love and strength that binds their family together, shine through on every page.
The only negative aspect I found was that the author seemed to jump around a bit during the first few chapters, which made me unsure as to whether I was reading about the present or the past, but this did not take away from the overall story. The source of Tina’s strength and survival is effectively woven through her life adventures and are lessons we can all learn from. I only found a few grammatical errors and therefore feel that the book was professionally edited. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
Bluewater Walkabout is a beautiful narrative of a life full of sailing, adventure, danger, and the unexpected. The sea is not always kind, and all must unite as a team if they are to survive. There is drama, love, heartfelt joy, and adventure. I recommend this book to readers who love travel, adventure, and enduring love.
******
Bluewater Walkabout
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bluewater Walkabout, written by Tina Dreffin, is an exceptionally well-written and extremely personal travel memoir that will take you on a trip from Africa into the Atlantic during 2002. It’s the story of an adventurous woman, her husband Peter, and their two teenage sons, Adam and Warren. Tina’s story takes the reader on a journey to Port Elizabeth, South Africa to take delivery of their new St. Francis 44 catamaran, and their perilous ocean passage towards their final destination, Grenada. Bad weather conditions, shark attack warnings, explosive teenage outbursts, and rogue waves turn their voyage into an adventure way more dangerous than they had ever expected.
When first arriving in South Africa, the family embark on an African safari to the Kruger National Park, which is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. They intend to sight the big five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. Their adventures will bring the reader face to face with a giant bull elephant, looking regal, silhouetted against a late afternoon African sunset, and onwards in search of nature’s fastest cat, the cheetah. They soon find that Africa is a country of unimaginable splendour. Mountains, bush plains, and tropical forests are all part of the landscape.
Before setting sail from Port St. Francis Marina in South Africa, for the impending 6000-mile passage to Grenada, two of their children's friends join them. Once they leave the African coast, they would not have access to modern ports for provisions until they reached St. Helena, an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean nearly 1300 miles away. Whilst preparing to leave, Tina would often chat with the fishermen to learn about the weather patterns. Weather in South Africa on the high seas was an arduous task even for the experienced sailor, and certainly not for the novice yachtsman. Before beginning the ocean crossing, Cape Town would be their first port stop. The journey comprised of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, also known as the Cape of Storms. Because of the navigational issues, shipwreck casualties along the South African coast were frequent. They sailed close to the tip of Cape Agulhas, which is a sanctuary for birds and sea life, and then onwards to Cape Town and the magnificent Table Mountain.
Bluewater Walkabout was captivating and inspirational because Tina shared not only the many happy and exciting adventures in her life, but also shared many painful memories. Her storytelling allows you to connect with her loss, sadness, and vivid imagination. Her realistic and heartfelt writing style enables the reader to feel as if they are there right beside her every step of the way. Every chapter begins with a quote that is both timeless and appropriate. Her descriptions of the different locations they visit are both vivid and colourful. Her honesty and bravery, as well as the love and strength that binds their family together, shine through on every page.
The only negative aspect I found was that the author seemed to jump around a bit during the first few chapters, which made me unsure as to whether I was reading about the present or the past, but this did not take away from the overall story. The source of Tina’s strength and survival is effectively woven through her life adventures and are lessons we can all learn from. I only found a few grammatical errors and therefore feel that the book was professionally edited. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
Bluewater Walkabout is a beautiful narrative of a life full of sailing, adventure, danger, and the unexpected. The sea is not always kind, and all must unite as a team if they are to survive. There is drama, love, heartfelt joy, and adventure. I recommend this book to readers who love travel, adventure, and enduring love.
******
Bluewater Walkabout
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Bluewater Walkabout by Tina Dreffin
