Between 2004 and 2006, David Thomas experienced a series of disasters in his life, culminating in being told that he only had a short time left to live. Rather than sinking into despair as many people would, he decided to fulfil his lifelong dream of living on a canal boat, while he still could. So he bought a narrowboat, LadyRiverMouse (an anagram of 'Live Your Dreams') with a view to spending the rest of his limited life cruising the canals and rivers of England. Naturally, he had to take the love of his life with him - a rather bad-tempered fluffy white prima donna of a cat called Cookie. Cookie was an indoor cat who had rarely been outside, never mind living on a boat, where according to David dogs are usually the pets of choice. Would it work out? David didn't know, but as he put it, "I wasn't going anywhere without my beloved Cookie". The remainder of the book is an account of the few years David spent travelling through the waterways of his native land. Many people live on boats; few cruise as extensively as David did - to London, along the Thames, up to Wales, then tackling the wild and often desolate rivers of North West England. A beginner to boating when he started, David learned much as time went on, mainly by having numerous - and often hair-raising - adventures. So did Cookie, who contrived to get lost, fall in the water on a number of occasions, and generally use up most of her cat's nine lives. Finally David met Helen, a helicopter instructor, writer, and - most importantly - cat lover. They fell in love, and David's life began to change yet again, leading to the eventual sale of LadyRiverMouse and a new life in the Peak District for David and Cookie. David knows about boating, has an eye for detail, and is also an astute observer of his fellow men and women, both on and off the waterways. Therefore this book will clearly be of interest to those who have ever travelled on the canals or done any other boating, anyone who loves travel of any type, or simply the armchair traveller who enjoys reading about others' adventures. But "Travels With Cookie" is more than just another boating or travel book. It is a tale of bereavement and divorce, of terminal illness and despair, and finally of romance, a seemingly miraculous cure, and a new life. Hence it should appeal to anyone who likes human interest stories of any type. And of course - as Cookie herself would tell you if she could speak - it is a must for cat lovers!
About the Author: David Thomas was born in the depths of the English Midlands. After a chaotic schooling he spent 22 years working for British Telecom, finally becoming Network Planning Manager. Tiring of the rat race, he left and started his own children's nursery, which he ran for 20 years. He lived in Spain for a short period, before returning to the UK to begin the epic waterways journey which is the subject of this book. In 2010 he met Helen, and they have been together ever since. He enjoys gardening, building model boats, and of course spending time with his beloved cat Cookie. "Travels with Cookie" is his first book, and he found writing it harder than he expected. Helen Krasner was born in Croydon; then lived in Edinburgh, California, and North Wales, before moving to the Derbyshire Peak District around nine years ago. She has had a somewhat chequered career, working among other things as an occupational psychologist, meditation teacher, and market research consultant/report writer. In her 40s she learned to fly; then became a helicopter instructor. For the last few years she has earned her living as a writer, and has published several books and numerous articles. Since meeting David she has lived with him in her house, along with her three cats and the eponymous Cookie. "Travels with Cookie" was her brainchild, since she felt David had a story which needed to be told.