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Swallows and Amazons an #inbetweeny by Arthur Ransome

Wild Cat Island, pirates, sail boats and camp fire teas were the order of the day in this children's classic set in 1920's. Swallow being the name of the sail boat used by the Walker children aka Captain John, Mate Susan, Able-Seaman Titty, and Ship's Boy Roger.

Brimming with adventure, the book was truly enchanting. I loved the way Ransome captured a child's imagination allowing Captain John and his crew to converse with friendly natives (their mother), drink grog (ginger beer) and sail off to buy molasses (toffee) from Rio (the nearest town).

I have recently visited Loch Katrine in Scotland and immediately thought of the Sir Walter Scott cruising the Loch when the children watched the steamers head up and down the lake. The book itself is set in the Lake District but if you have been to any large lake/loch where boats are frequently traversing and an island or two are present you will have an idea of the setting.

Yes, a book that was originally written in 1930 does date slightly. Children would never be allowed such freedom these days and Captain John, if allowed to be Captain at all, would equally be expected to cook and clean as opposed to Mate Susan.  I however thoroughly enjoyed the book, not least as I really wanted to be one of the Swallow's crew, camping under the stars at night, eating eggs with hunks of bread and butter and cake. I could equally see my 9 year old enjoying the book and have passed it to her to read next.

It's very similar to the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton (complete with female character's unfortunate anatomical referencing name) but for me Swallows had bit of something extra, it was just a delight to read. Look at me - 'delight to read', 'brimming with adventure' only around Blyton and Ransome would you find me using those phrases.

If you like Swallows and Amazons there are 13 books in the Series and of course there are a couple of film versions, the most recent being 2016.

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