Rivers: One man and his dog paddle into the heart of Britain

Description

In punts canoes and rowing boats, Griff Rhys Jones takes us on a tour of Britain's beautiful and extraordinary rivers. He battles through the gorges and waterfalls of Scotland's wild mountains, drifts across the plains of East Anglia and plunges into the Wye, exploring the legends and stories of our rivers on the way. How did man harness the power of water in feats of engineering like the Manchester Ship Canal, or the fountains at Chatsworth pr the weirs of Hertfordshire? What's it like to fall through a canyon in the Highlands, snorkel through a bog, slalom down a rapid or ride the Severn Bore? How were rivers an inspiration for Constable and the hermits of Bridgnorth? Griff investigates the love affair between cities and rivers from Liverpool's Mersey to London's Lea. From reminiscing about childhood holidays on the Suffolk Stour to taking the plunge on a wintry morning in the Tay as it rushes through Perth, Griff shares his person journeys along the river systems of Britain - always accompanied by Cadbury the faithful water dog.

Griff Rhys Jones was born in Cardiff in 1953. He is a comedian, actor and writer whose television credits include Not the Nine O'Clock News, Smith and Jones, Restoration, Mountain and Rivers. He is the author of To the Baltic With Bob, Mountain and the bestselling memoir Semi-Detached.

'Rivers by Griff Rhys Jones was a runaway winner in this category; totally engaging, entertaining and appealing to the senses, just a wonderful gentle and enjoyable read'. - The Travel Press Awards 2010 judge's citation.