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Valerie Poore
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Faring to France on a Shoe Kindle Edition

by Valerie Poore (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 272 ratings
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A travelogue about a dream come true. After seven years of owning their barge, Hennie-Ha, seven years involving catastrophe and crisis, Val and her partner finally go 'faring' to France for the first time. This travelogue is about the places they visit and the people they meet along the canals on their route from the Netherlands, through Belgium and into northern France. It tells a gentle story about how they experience their life on board during the four weeks they spend cruising. Written as a journal, the reader joins them on their travels through rain and shine and reveals how day by day, Val learns to cast aside the stresses and demands of the real world and to appreciate life's simplest of pleasures to the full. And why 'Faring to France on a Shoe'? Well, download a sample and then all will be clear, or just have a 'look inside'!
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  1. Print length
    207 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    February 22, 2017
  5. File size
    10158 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06WWQ1YX4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rivergirl's Books (February 22, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 22, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 10158 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 207 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08BRGNFXJ
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 272 ratings

About the author

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Valerie Poore

Valerie Poore

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Val Poore was born in London, England, and grew up in both north London and the west of Dorset. After completing her degree in English, History and French at Bournemouth, she took a further course in the conservation and restoration of museum artefacts at Lincoln College of Art. She then spent two years smallholding, rearing Jacobs sheep and doing furniture restoration before going to South Africa in 1981 with her husband and small children.

Val left South Africa permanently in 2001 and has settled in the Netherlands, where she shares her time between a liveaboard barge in Rotterdam and a cottage in Zeeland. She has been writing since childhood and wrote stories, articles and radio plays for years before embarking on her first book in 2005. Val loves travelling on her barge, especially when it involves roughing it a bit. She feels that she has better adventures and more interesting experiences that way.

She has written twelve books altogether: three novels and nine memoirs, three of which are about her life in South Africa, a country she grew to love deeply. The others are all about her experiences of living and cruising on her barge. The latest is being published in May, 2021. Then it'll be back to writing some more fiction. Val writes under her full name Valerie Poore.

For more about Val's daily life on board her barge in Rotterdam, go to https://rivergirlrotterdam.blogspot.nl

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
272 global ratings
Fantastic clean read full of beutiful places to visit & views from the waterways we never see
5 Stars
Fantastic clean read full of beutiful places to visit & views from the waterways we never see
Wonderfully written and edited.Read about places you dream to visit and they come to life.Views of historic towns and villages from a different perspective, the waterway of Europe.Full 5* Star read and I'm looking forward to reading more of Val's books in order to bring on the sea change I long for.
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Top reviews from the United States

TBearMattern
5.0 out of 5 stars I’ve Just Had A Lovely Vacation Aboard A Shoe
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Reading this gentle, serene memoir was to travel vicariously with Val and Koos on a slow, sweet journey to France aboard their darling little barge, the Henne-Ha. It was lovely seeing the sights, meeting the people, sharing the foods and drink, and simply enjoying the adventure! This is the perfect book for anyone with too much stress in their life; a relaxing getaway to soothe the soul. And there’s another wonderful journey waiting in the sequel, “Faring Forth Again On The Shoe ~ More Tales of Barging Through Belgium To France”! Can’t wait!
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ARM, Kensington
4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect antidote to Quarantine!
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
This memoir/travelogue follows the journey of Val and Koos on their 15m Snik from Ghent in Belgium to Cambrai in northern France. It was a delightful read especially as we are tied up waiting for the pandemic to pass. It reminded me of the adventures we have had on our barge and hopefully are yet to come. Val's authentic voice makes you feel as if you are right there with her, negotiating all the different lock systems, floating and non floating bollards, long treks to find food shops and the ongoing hunt for a good mooring.
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Lynn M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Passing Through those Locks!
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
I will never steer a snik from Rotterdam down to Cambrai, France, but I was able to hop onboard the Hennie-Ha with Val and Koos as I read Faring to France on a Shoe. It was an amazing venture as she gave detailed and colorful descriptions of each town along the way. I could see the grassy hills, the sunrises and sunsets. I could hear the chirping birds along with the voices of the people that they met. I envisioned Val and Koos walking through quaint towns to either eat or buy necessities.
I felt Val’s frustration as she struggled uphill with the bike that continually had a flat tyre; but she was determined to reach her destination. She bravely spoke French as she expressed her needs while visiting France. Though met with torrential rains, heat and sometimes great weather, it was clear that the gods had ordained this dream trip.
The many types of locks presented the biggest challenge for them as they forged ahead. I was able to identify with the stress of the locks because I had had one experience of going through a lock as our sightseeing boat went from the Chicago River out onto Lake Michigan. It was scary as the boat began to rise so I can only imagine what Val and Koos experienced over and over.
Sometimes they got through with ease and on other occasions, they had to wait for a lock-keeper to show up which could take hours or even days. This was a rich, rich experience with a pictorial slideshow as a bonus! A simply magnificent and well-documented trip on The Shoe.
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars a sweet journey on an ancient Dutch barge with no hot water
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
It is too bad the translation into English us atrocious. The author claims to be English, but the language is stilted and full of untranslatable quirks. They take a 3 week journey through the northern canals with no refrigeration, no hot water, no... most of everything. That would be an acquired taste. The trip is beautiful, even in constant pouring rain in july.
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cassam
5.0 out of 5 stars What a great life!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
From previous books I feel as if I know Val and her partner Koos well. They make a great team.
Koos spent his childhood as the son of a bargie so he lived on a working barge. Val, although she has lived on a barge for many years now still seems to be in awe of the lifestyle and you can feel her excitement on every page.

This is a holiday ( they call it going faring) Val has always wanted to take. Koos wasn't too keen as he's probably done this route many times but Val persuaded him and he enjoyed it.
Sailing through the Netherlands, Belguim and France, the names of the towns and villages the Hennie Ha passed through didn't mean much to me but that didn't matter. Every place was different with different challenges. I'm thinking of one day in particular when Val set off in her little folding bike to find somewhere to purchase some food. She ended up on a busy dual carriageway which was also uphill all the way. Sensibly she dumped her bike and walked although not before falling into stinging nettles. She never found a food shop!
There was also her daily battle to have a hot shower with a special bag of water heated by solar power,but what happens when the sun doesn't shine?

I was impressed at the way Val handled the locks they had to pass through. Some were easy and they certainly got easier the further into their journey as she learns from her mistakes but the sheer strength and courage it took to handle some of them made Val a hero of mine.

The book is peppered with Val's sense of humour. If you've read any of her other books including her fiction ones you will understand what I mean. Val's humour is accidental, she doesn't set out to be funny she just gets herself into so many scrapes that you can't help laughing.
I enjoyed reading about their long summer nights sitting on the deck of the barge sipping wine and reading or talking,my kind of night.
They met lots of people on their journey,some were old friends, some they have passed by and waved hello to in the past and some strangers who they still had a good chinwag with.

Val and Koos bought the Hennie Ha because of her size and their desire to sail her through the waterways to Poland. That will be a story I'm looking forward to reading too. I'm hoping they might make that journey this summer.
And why does the title say they sailed on "a shoe" ? You'll have to read the book to find out !
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JOHN A TAINTON
4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read.
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
Sufficient detail of the travels to allow the reader to be a participant, without becoming bored. Also puts sufficient flesh on the characters to get to know them at least as "fellow travelers".
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JW
5.0 out of 5 stars A trip to France on the waterways
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Valerie and Koos embark on a faring 'holiday' navigating their way through the waterways from The Netherlands to France. The book recounts day to day adventures they have on the way, including the people they meet, the countryside, the weather and the challenges they face. The accounts of navigating locks and bollards takes a lot of skill from both Val and Koos, as they travel in this most slow and gentle way. Descriptions of French villages, of bike rides in the countryside give insight into a way of life that is peaceful and serene. I would love to experience faring myself after reading Valerie's book, getting away from it all and having the sound of the water send you to sleep. A wonderful insight into a lifestyle that is both adventurous and relaxing. An enjoyable read.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Carola Muller
5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful travelogue.
Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2021
Verified Purchase
Val took us along with her on this delightful canal journey from Holland through Belgium ,into the North of France. Val and Koos had been planning and dreaming for years of taking their barge Hennie-Ha on a trip to France and the reality turned out all and more of what they expected. Val’s descriptions of the waterways, towns , people and the always changing landscape drew me right in. I was able to absorb the atmosphere and savoured sitting down at night, relaxing and loosing myself during this enchanting journey.
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Lindylou
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Life
Reviewed in Spain on June 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
What a wonderful account of Val and her partner's trip on Hennie-Ha (dubbed the Dutch Shoe) from the Netherlands, through Belgium and on to Northern France. A trip that they have wanted to do for quite sometime and it is finally becoming a reality. This is an honest and humorous account of their adventure with vivid descriptive writing, so real and no flowery accessories. As a reader you are drawn into the story and feel as if you are there with them, as least I did.
Val has to come to terms with her struggle to gain victory over her “what if” anxiety mind set and elates at her victory in mastering the flipping of the ropes over the lock bollards. The entering and exiting of these locks appear to be an adventure on their own.
Celebrating Koo's birthday, albeit a bit late, with friends David and Alain. Achieving what they had promised themselves for many years, to arrive by boat. A wonderful time was had with a fantastic meal, good wines and company only topped off by their accomplishment of achieving their goal.
Oh the joys of being able to use her douchesack once the sun has warmed it up brings Val so much pleasure. This is only surpassed when in Valeiciennes where there is an ablutions block with showers...oh sheer bliss. They also have the use of water and electric for a small cost.
Riding her bicycle with a dodgy tyre önly 7 kilometers¨to find a shop for provisions, having to keep pumping up the tyre and eventually abandoning it in a bed of stinging nettles. Setting out on foot Val soon realises it is going to a difficult task and her 'what if anxiety'returns. Forlornly returning to her bicycle and back to Koos.
Again Val takes to their trusty bike to purchase much needed gas canisters, setting off with map in hand into the land of Limestone. With juggernauts roaring past her scattering lime dust and gravel in their wake. Eventually arriving back at Hennie-Ha in a dust cloud which causes them both much laughter.
The addition of the photos at the end of each stage are a delight to see, I loved where Koo was steering with his feet....most nonchalant.
I loved this book and was sorry when it ended...I wanted the adventure to continue for ever, thanks Val
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cassam
5.0 out of 5 stars What a great life!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
From previous books I feel as if I know Val and her partner Koos well. They make a great team.
Koos spent his childhood as the son of a bargie so he lived on a working barge. Val, although she has lived on a barge for many years now still seems to be in awe of the lifestyle and you can feel her excitement on every page.

This is a holiday ( they call it going faring) Val has always wanted to take. Koos wasn't too keen as he's probably done this route many times but Val persuaded him and he enjoyed it.
Sailing through the Netherlands, Belguim and France, the names of the towns and villages the Hennie Ha passed through didn't mean much to me but that didn't matter. Every place was different with different challenges. I'm thinking of one day in particular when Val set off in her little folding bike to find somewhere to purchase some food. She ended up on a busy dual carriageway which was also uphill all the way. Sensibly she dumped her bike and walked although not before falling into stinging nettles. She never found a food shop!
There was also her daily battle to have a hot shower with a special bag of water heated by solar power,but what happens when the sun doesn't shine?

I was impressed at the way Val handled the locks they had to pass through. Some were easy and they certainly got easier the further into their journey as she learns from her mistakes but the sheer strength and courage it took to handle some of them made Val a hero of mine.

The book is peppered with Val's sense of humour. If you've read any of her other books including her fiction ones you will understand what I mean. Val's humour is accidental, she doesn't set out to be funny she just gets herself into so many scrapes that you can't help laughing.
I enjoyed reading about their long summer nights sitting on the deck of the barge sipping wine and reading or talking,my kind of night.
They met lots of people on their journey,some were old friends, some they have passed by and waved hello to in the past and some strangers who they still had a good chinwag with.

Val and Koos bought the Hennie Ha because of her size and their desire to sail her through the waterways to Poland. That will be a story I'm looking forward to reading too. I'm hoping they might make that journey this summer.
And why does the title say they sailed on "a shoe" ? You'll have to read the book to find out !
Report
Elizabeth Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Cruise
Reviewed in Australia on June 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have always had a hankering to travel through some of Europe's canals but so far I have only managed an afternoon on France's Canal du Midi. Faring to France on a Shoe has given me a delightful insight into life on these narrow waterways and the joys and pitfalls involved in navigating through Belgium and Northern France from a home base in The Netherlands.
I'm guessing that as long as I don't mind improvised shower facilities, soaking rain, slippery ladders, and some very deep and scary locks I could also enjoy tranquil waters, secret green inlets, picturesque villages, good wine and food, and the congenial fellowship of the faring life. If you can't manage to cruise the narrow waterways of Europe in your own Hennie-Ha, you could escape into the pages of this book and then treat yourself to the photo gallery which is a perfect addendum for this gentle memoir.
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Louise Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars A great travelogue of a very special journey
Reviewed in Spain on June 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
This memoir gives a great insight into canal life. It paints a picture of the trials, tribulations, inconveniences, and disruptions that can occur but also the joy and freedom of going where you like when you like. The connection with nature and escape from the world outweigh the missing luxury of hot water or sometimes a decent meal. At least it did for the author! I loved reading of her feelings and thoughts on what was quite an adventure, voyage of discovery and fulfilment of a dream.
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