When is an island not an island? Peter Caton takes us to all four corners of England Scotland & Wales to find out. Sharing our nations fascination with islands Peter sets out to be the first person to visit all 43 tidal islands which can be walked to from the UK mainl&. Along the way he faces many challenges: precipitous cliffs vicious dogs disappearing footpaths lost bus drivers fast tides quicksand & enormous quantities of mud but also experiences wonderfully scenic journeys by road rail & on foot. He contrasts the friendly welcome from most islanders & owners with the reluctance of others to permit visits & tells how he was thrown off one secret isl&. An entertaining narrative illustrated with colour photographs No Boat Required contains a wealth of information as the author unearths many little known facts & stories. It tells of the solitude of the many remote islands & the difficulties of balancing the needs of people & wildlife. We learn of the islands varied histories
- stories of pirates smugglers murder & ghosts of battles with Vikings an island claimed by punks & another with its own king. He writes of the beauty of the islands & our coast & reflects on how these may be affected by climate change. In No Boat Required Peter Caton takes us to explore islands some familiar but most which few of us know exist & even fewer have visited. He finds that our tidal islands are special places many with fascinating & amusing stories & each one of them different. It adds up to a unique journey around Britain.