It has become a reality, dear Harry. I feel very strangeÑa curious sensation in the throat, just as if I was going to cry, and yet it is exactly what I have been longing for. You know better than any one how I had set my heart on going to sea, and yet I thought that I should never manage it. But, after all, here I am, really and truly a midshipman; at least a volunteer of the first class, as we are called now. The first time I put on my uniform, with my gold-band cap and dirk, I could not help every now and then looking at the gold lace on my collar and the buttons with the anchor and crown, and very pretty and nice they looked; and I do believe that this half-reconciled poor mamma, and Fanny, and Mary, and dear little Emily to my going when they saw me with them on. IÕll tell you how it all happened. Uncle Tom came to stay with us. He had been at the Hall a week when, the very day before I was to go back to school, while we were all at breakfast, he got a long official-looking letter. No sooner had he torn it open and glanced at its contents, than he jumped up and shook papa by the hand, then kissed mamma, exclaiming, ÒThey do acknowledge my services, and in a handsome way too, and they have appointed me to the Juno intended for the South American station; the very ship I should have chosen! I must have Pringle with me. No nonsense, Mary. He wants to be a sailor, and a sailor he shall be. HeÕs well fitted for it. IÕll have no denial. ItÕs settledÑthatÕs all right.Ó (I had been telling him the day before how much I wanted to go to sea.) He carried his point, and set all the household preparing my kit, and then posted off for London, and rattled down to Portsmouth to hoist his flag. He is not a man to do things by halves. In three days I followed him. The ship was nearly ready for sea. Most of the officers had joined. There was only one vacancy, which I got. Another captain had been appointed, who had been superseded, and he had selected most of the officers.

Racundra's First Cruise is Arthur Ransome's account of Racundra's maiden voyage, which took place in August and September 1922. The cruise took him from Riga, in Latvia to Helsingfors (Helsinki) in Finland, via the Moon Sound and Reval (Tallinn) in Estonia and back. His first book on sailing, it was also the first of his titles that achieved such high levels of success. Although reprinted many times in various editions and formats, Fernhurst Books' hardback edition of the title (2003) was the first to use the original text in its entirety - with the original layout, maps and photographs - and also includes an excellent introduction by Brian Hammett containing a treasure trove of previously unpublished writings, essays and photographs. Ransome's first attempts at Baltic sailing, in his two previous boats, Slug and Kittiwake, are also explained in detail using his writings and illustrations. The life of Ransome's beloved Racundra is chronicled to its conclusion and there is an explanation of how he came to write the book. The original illustrations are enhanced by the inclusion of present day photographs of the same locations. Having gone out of print in 2012, this new paperback edition retains all of the original and additional features; bringing back to life Ransome's epic first cruise in his pride and joy, his treasured Racundra.

This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Volume: 1; Original Published by: Cushing & brother in 1841 in 294 pages; Subjects: Privateering; United States; Sailors; Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Military; History / General; History / Military / World War II; History / Military / Naval; Sports & Recreation / Sailing; Transportation / Ships & Shipbuilding / General;

As a seven year old girl living in Alaska, Pollyanna has many experiences that are unique to her environment, such as salmon fishing and encounters with moose and other animals. She refers to herself as "Alaska TUF". Her Grandmother teaches in small villages and as such changes locations frequently. One unique adventure is that these villages are often accessible only by small bush planes, which results in some exciting rides. Polly believes that these adventures will be of interest to children in the lower forty eight states.

Denise and Paul Banks are excited about taking their family – Son Andrew, his wife Gloria and their four children on a South Islands Cruise, to celebrate their forty fifth wedding anniversary. Long-time Cruisers, the Banks' are accustomed to the frivolities that occur whilst at sea. Illicit affairs, shameless overeating not to mention the myriad of false truths many of the passengers’ weave to ‘become’ someone different for this short time. Little do the Banks, or indeed their family, realise that their dream holiday will be cut short all too soon – with the discovery of the bloodied and brutally murdered body of one of the passengers, prominent Sydney business magnet, Luke Devereaux. Try as she does not to meddle in the crime, Denise finds herself entangled in the web of lies that surrounds the murder. Threats, deception and an intricate web of lies unfold as Denise, with the assistance of Chief Inspector Eton Elyse, uncover a crime most cold hearted and callous indeed.

When a group of solo travellers meet for dinner on the first night of a luxury cruise, alliances are quickly formed.But as the ship makes its way through azure Mediterranean waters, it becomes clear that some of the passengers have their own reasons for wanting to escape their everyday lives . . .There's the glamorous London heiress looking for love; the wealthy businessman trying to decide between the life he has, and the life he really wants; the shrewd Scotsman looking for his next opportunity - in business and romance; and the newly separated Dubliner on the run from the media glare - and her controlling ex.Will they find what they're looking for on the open sea? One thing's for sure, it's a holiday they'll never forget.