A lovely read and the language and way it is written was a pleasure to read - given the first three chapters were Toby’s and then it was continued by his sister - she really did him proud and an amazing job - as the reader you wouldn’t know it had switched and I felt I was fully with Toby until the last chapters. The reason for 3 stars is I found the first and last thirds enjoyable but the middle 100 pages ish I found repetitive in their descriptions and sometimes lost where we were, how he got there, where the car suddenly appears from, even which year it is. A manifesto for living, loving and laughing full-heartedly, whatever life's storms and forecasts bring. This is a must-read book not just for sea kayakers, but for anyone looking for inspiration to make the most out of life. A guide and companion for us all, whether we are embarking on voyages of our choosing or dealing with waves and storms dealt to us.

It’s exciting to read of bravery and fortitude but for it to be told with such humility and optimism, is truly inspiring.For those not familiar this is a radio broadcast of weather conditions for those on the sea but has become over time a rather calming British institution that people listen to even if they aren't near the sea. As enduring as any ancient Scandinavian saga, this is a candidly honest tale of a risk-laden, yet existentially meaningful and powerful sea kayaking project. This incredibly moving story weaves together one family's story and shows the sense of hope and love that can be found through adventure even when things don't go according to plan. Exceptionally beautiful and moving, a book that conjures connection to people, places and the ocean with the immediacy, grace and clarity of a kayak cutting through sea spray. Right away you get an idea of what sort of person Toby was, calmly dealing with bureaucracy, meeting strangers and instantly making new friends, Toby had that rare ability to find the most generous people just when he needed it.

There are barely any descriptions of the places he was in which makes the book very unemotional and one-dimensional. One of the most moving parts of the book for me was how you get a real insight into this man’s unique and mind-bending take on life. Informative, humorous and emotional, it left me feeling sad but also really inspired and motivated to tackle my own adventure, what ever the size! Katie Carr is a British author, artist, educator and coach who never imagined her first book having anything to do with sea kayaking.The expedition also gave him space and time that he desperately needed, to reflect on the death of his brother from the rare genetic condition that they were both born with, and to process the personal challenges that life had set him over the years.

Lots to learn and some amazing places visited and it has definitely spurred me to want to see more of the world once more and live for the moment. The book itself has humour and sadness too in it but overall people would enjoy the journey through the pages. I did find it hard at times to continue - because it’s clear from the start that Toby doesn’t complete the journey, and I so wanted him to! She does such a brilliant job of it, using his notes/voice recordings, etc, that you wouldn't know at which point she had taken over the writing. Toby's outrageously fearless spirit and good humour will not fail to uplift and spur you on to pursue your own adventures.It’s a book I will keep on my bookshelf and remember and refer to when visiting some of the places in the future. And to create a lasting legacy to an explorer, an adventurer, brother, friend, colleague is the most beautiful gift to the memory of an intrepid, incredible man. The authors’ light touch when describing his heath problems don’t hide the fact that this is also a very sad tale, but one in which hope and joy shine through. Toby's story of seizing life's opportunities despite obstacles should inspire all of us to not let life pass us by. Not a book I would have picked, I was gifted this and felt that I should read it - I am so very glad that I did.