Book burble: If listening to "Sailing By" to the bitter end every night is the surest sign of a Radio 4 addict, then buying Charlie Connelly’s new travel book runs it close’ Independent on Sunday

THE SHIPPING FORCASTis a curious piece of broadcasting: at once impenetrably baffling yet as the same time reasurringly familiar, most of us have grown up with this sonorous gazetter firmly planted in our subconscious. But where are these places, and what secrets do they conceal? Charlie Connelly sets off on a journey round the forecast to find out, unearthing the history and culture behind one of Britian's best loved broadcasting institutions.

More than simply a haliarious travel book, Attention All Shipping ensures that the evocative stanzas of the shipping forecast will remain a mystery no more.

ATTENTION ALL SHIPPING by CHARLIE CONNELLY (2004) | ISBN: 9780349116037 | Publisher: Time Warner

Mum and I went to hear Charlie Connelly talk about Attention All Shipping in Aberdeen's Music Hall around 2005 or 6? What a treat that was, the topic a beguiling one especially for mum who grew up in Orkney during WWII. Orkney being a key naval base was of substantial import to the British war effort. The music hall was packed as Connelly's topic was a winner with a maritime audience. It’s an evening I remember with great fondness.

As a teenager, during the seventies, if I stayed up later than I ought I recall hearing the shipping forecast being a signature end to the evening. Sitting registering the book I realise I've once again lost hours and ended up grinning like the Cheshire cat as I've not been able to resist reading pages and pages of it. Tickled by the wry humour.

This book offers me a tiny mystery though, it's not signed by Connelly so I'm fairly sure it wasn't bought at the event. I think mum bought it through the Observer after we heard Connelly discuss it…a grand memory indeed. However, I cannot keep all the books I have that trigger wonderful memories, time this one travelled to amuse others.

I'm going through my ex-Aberdeen bookstash, from my mum’s house and passing on books where I can in memory of Aberdeen, my mum, the sea, dolphins, swimming in the sea, leaving Aberdeen harbour by ferry to travel to Orkney for holidays with relatives...and other wonderful things!

I went looking for a BookCrosser with this on their wishlist and found one - hurrah! Now sporting a protective plastic cover as it's a treasure I expect will be kept travelling by being passed round eager readers the length and breadth of Britain, and even Europe? Happy trails ATTENTION ALL SHIPPING.

Into the post today, heading to landlocked High Wycombe.

Off into the post for another BookCrosser in a number of hours. Fine fun, hoping it fascinates and amuses you, in your landlocked town. The wish list book I offered you recently, and as I am a prolific bookmark maker some are included in the parcel too!

Greetings from the capital of Tartanland, cheers rainbow3.

Many thanks for Attention All shipping, which was recommended to me many years ago and has been on my wishlist gathering dust since then. I shall read it and then may pass it on here or it may come out to Canada with me next summer to the Maritimes, which seems quite fitting. Thanks for the bookmarks.

I read this last year and just realised I didn't journal it. A very enjoyable book following one man's travels around all the places mentioned in the shipping news.

I am passing this on to my NSS partner at the Bookcrossing Conference. I hope you enjoy the Conference and also this book.

Looks brilliant, thank you!

Finished this one while on holiday in North Berwick, plan to release later today at the harbour…. A fascinating read about the history of the shipping forecast and the communities it serves.

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