Afloat: A Memoir

(Hardback)

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Description

Danie Couchman grew up on the move, her family never staying still long enough for her to say where shes from. At twenty-five, and living in herseventeenthhome, she finds herself drowning in the rush of London life, and makes an impulsive decision: to buy a narrowboat and make it her home.

Surrounded by an eclectic and itinerant community in the uncharted territory of the capitals urban wilderness, Danie becomes fully immersed in this hidden world. Each day onboard her boatGenesisis an adventure full of disaster and magic. Over five years of living off-grid, nomadic Danie learns to survive the many highs and lows of boat life alone, keeping herself, and her steel home, afloat.

A captivating debut, Afloatis the story of a young womans desire to escape an ever more isolated city existenceand reconnect with nature, discovering what is important in life.

Reviews

'Afloatmakes it clear that we must all stop to appreciate the simplicity of life in theurban landscape of Londons waterways.' -- George Burton * BBC Radio London *
'Beautifully written. A captivating insight into a slower, simpler existence.' * The Outdoor Adventure Blog *
'This is such a lovely book, about life on the river, and so much more. It's a tale of strength and courage - painfully sad, and beautifully uplifting, and always fascinating.' -- Anna Maxted * The Times *

'A moving and luminous memoir which shows that a home can be created in the most unexpected of places.'

'Beautifully written. A captivating insight into a slower, simpler existence.'

Author Bio

Danie Couchman is a writer, broadcaster and wanderer. She studied journalism in Nottingham and has since worked in an eclectic variety of roles, from a local radio reporter to the voice of MTVs Official Top 40. She currently works as a voice over artist and her writing has been published inWaterfrontandThe Simple Thingsmagazines.

Danie has lived in four countries, seventeen houses and three boats. She enjoys wild swimming, cooking, and adventures with her dog Mango. She is soon to be settling on land close to the sea in Devon.

Afloatis her first book.