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A very enjoyable, inspiring and emotional read.
Alan Corcoran's story of his epic adventure to swim round the coast of Ireland starts with one of the best dedications I have seen. The book starts with his completion of 35 marathons in 35 days to run the coast of Ireland to raise money for charity following his Dad's stroke. Alan then tells us of joining pals on the last leg of a charity bike ride, taking up charity boxing and following the Irish football time in the UEFA tournament in France. The driver for the swim around the coast of Ireland was his Dad's sudden death from cancer, which was written about so tenderly in the book it broke my heart. The planning and training for the swim was all-consuming and attempt 1, ending in the sinking of a RIB, started in May 2017. Attempt 2 began in June 2019, following the purchase of a proper sailing boat to accompany the swim. Alan has a lovely writing style, full of warmth and wit that makes you feel as though you are on the journey with him, along with orcas, seals, jellyfish, tides, winds, cold seas, friends, family and a girlfriend on a kayak! I loved the illustrations and the photographs throughout the book. The black and white illustrations were particularly good to break up the text but to also illustrate the story. They were a good mixture of cartoons, maps, landmarks, tide cycles, training plans and wildlife. My favourite was the seal looking on as Alan swam past. Just like the text, the images are informative and humorous. A very enjoyable, inspiring and emotional read.