R J Adams

Yarns of a Professional Gongoozler: Tales of English Canal Life at Dixie's Marina R J Adams

"Yarns of a Professional Gongoozler", or "Tales of English Canal Life at Dixie's Marina", is a series of eight short stories set around a fictionalised canal boat marina in the North-West of England.

The British canal system stretches for over two thousand miles, much of it passing through some of the most attractive and peaceful areas of countryside to be found in England and Wales. Occasional urban sections provide a wealth of historical detail relating to an industrial heritage long passed into the pages of history. Canal boating and boat ownership is a rapidly developing industry, and marinas are continually being constructed throughout the waterways system to accommodate the steadily increasing numbers of steel narrowboats and GRP cruisers that abound.

R J Adams entered the business both as a marina manager and narrowboat dweller. During the course of twelve years he met some amazing people, saw some incredible sights, and laughed uproariously at a plethora of amusing incidents.

These eight stories, though self-sufficient, are interlinked and best read consecutively. They are based on the author's own personal experiences over twelve years as an inland waterway's marina manager.

Most of the events described in the book actually occurred, but with the exception of 'Molly", characters have been fictionalised and bear no relation to anyone, living or dead.