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Neil Hawkesford
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A Foolish Voyage: Self-Discovery At Sea (A Foolish Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Neil Hawkesford (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,300 ratings
See all formats and editions

This is a true story of adventure aboard a small sailboat.
Disillusioned with his life of normality a young man decides to buy an 18ft sailboat, make her his home and set sail in search of adventure.
He finds it.



    • Single-handedly sailing the South Coast of England to Falmouth.

    • Working as yacht delivery crew.

    • Near shipwreck on Spain’s 'Costa da Morte’- the Coast Of Death.

    • Fire onboard in the Atlantic.


    Then he decides to sail his own tiny boat across the Bay of Biscay.
    It doesn't go well.
    This is a book not just about sailing but life. It's about what happens at the very limits of physical emotional and mental capacity. Ultimately it's about how personal tragedy led to a life-changing discovery - The realisation that hidden deep inside of us all is the perseverance and passion needed for achieving long-term goals.


    It's a book that might just start you on your own Foolish Voyage.
    Neil's foolishness didn't stop there -



      • His second book, 'A Foolish Odyssey’, details years of ‘productive insanity’ as he builds a 38ft ocean-going catamaran in a barn miles from the sea.

      • His third, ‘A Foolish Escape’, goes on to describe his subsequent four years of trying to ‘live the dream’ and stay afloat (literally and figuratively).Engine failure in the Mediterranean.


      Sacha Guitry, the French actor and playwright once said - "Our wisdom comes from our experience, and our experience comes from our foolishness".
      If that's true Mr Hawkesford is surely a wise man.

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      1. Book 1 of 3
        A Foolish Trilogy
      2. Print length
        180 pages
      3. Language
        English
      4. Publication date
        December 24, 2015
      5. File size
        7.1 MB
      6. Page Flip
        Enabled
      7. Word Wise
        Enabled
      8. Enhanced typesetting
        Enabled
      9. See all details
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      There are 3 books in this series.
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      Editorial Reviews

      About the Author

      Born 1957 in Birmingham, British author Neil Hawkesford has always been lured by the sea.At the age of 17 he joined the Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm where he spent 3 years working as a Survival Equipment Specialist.After leaving the Navy he worked as a Parachute Technician in South Africa before returning to the UK to 'settle down'.Things didn't work out, and he returned to the sea, living on an 18ft sailboat and working as yacht delivery crew.After losing his boat Neil once again tried to live a 'normal life'. Two failed relationships later and in the depths of depression he made a life-changing decision.He decided to build a 38ft Wharram catamaran, make her his home, and get back to the sea.It took 8 years of work, but in June 2014 'Gleda' was launched.Neil hasn't slept on land since, and now lives as a 'Sea Gypsy' with his partner Gail.'A Foolish Voyage' is his first book. He's already working on his second.

      Product details

      • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B018VQL6QQ
      • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NeilH Publishing (December 24, 2015)
      • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 24, 2015
      • Language ‏ : ‎ English
      • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.1 MB
      • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
      • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
      • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
      • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
      • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
      • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
      • Print length ‏ : ‎ 180 pages
      • Customer Reviews:
        4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,300 ratings

      About the author

      Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
      Neil Hawkesford

      Neil Hawkesford

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      Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

      Born 1957 in Birmingham, British author Neil Hawkesford has always been lured by the sea.

      At the age of 17, he joined the Royal Navy where he served 3 years working as a Survival Equipment Specialist.

      After leaving the Navy he worked in South Africa as a Parachute Technician before returning to the UK to ‘settle down’.

      Things didn’t work out, so he returned to sea, living on an 18ft sailboat and working as yacht delivery crew.

      After losing his boat Neil once again tried to live a ‘normal’ life. Once again things didn’t work out.

      Two failed relationships later and in the depths of depression, he made a life-changing decision.

      He decided to build a 38ft Wharram catamaran, make her his home and get back to the sea.

      It took 8 years of work but in June 2014 ‘Gleda’ was launched.

      Neil and his partner Gail subsequently spent four years living permanently aboard and exploring the coasts of Spain and Portugal.

      Now back ashore, Neil is a full-time writer and blogger currently living in Cornwall, UK.

      Customer reviews

      4.4 out of 5 stars
      1,300 global ratings

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      Customers say

      Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe the adventure story as interesting and informative. The writing style is described as well-written and natural. Readers appreciate the author's honesty about his mistakes and life challenges. They find the book insightful and a great self-discovery period.

      AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

      Select to learn more
      ReadabilityAdventure storyWriting styleHonestyInsight
      58 customers mention "Readability"58 positive0 negative

      Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They find it well-written for a first book, with an interesting true life story that is informative without getting too technical. The book offers practical advice for small craft enthusiasts, with relatable ideas and a simple way of living.

      "...Told in his natural style, which is admirably unadorned and economical, this is the story of how the hammering of social pressures can do more..." Read more

      "...book is not a Pulitzer prize candidate, but it is really great for us small craft lovers who will love to take on ocean cruising and learn a few..." Read more

      "...It's a good read for those who enjoy stories about life on a boat at sea. I would recommend it to others interested in reading about this lifestyle." Read more

      "This book is well written. It will keep your interest and provide reading pleasure...." Read more

      48 customers mention "Adventure story"48 positive0 negative

      Customers find the adventure story engaging and informative. They appreciate the author's passion and openness. The storyline is based on a realistic lifestyle, with more time spent on sailing than on social aspects. Readers enjoy the detailed stories within the narrative that make them think. Overall, customers find the book well-written and unique in conveying the experience.

      "...Fortunately, the narrative spends more time on sailing than on the all-too-familiar social storms, and his style gives a clue that this nail is..." Read more

      "...title and the feeling that it was not one of the same, dull, log-book type narratives. The author had a story to tell and I enjoyed hearing it...." Read more

      "...I'm an aspiring sailor so it was fun to read about the adventures the author had while sailing and some of the challenges he faced and survived...." Read more

      "This book is well written. It will keep your interest and provide reading pleasure...." Read more

      28 customers mention "Writing style"25 positive3 negative

      Customers appreciate the writing style. They find it well-written and easy to understand, even for readers who are unfamiliar with sailing. The prose flows smoothly and the author expresses ideas in a relatable way. Overall, readers describe the book as simple, engaging, and witty.

      "...use of sentence fragments instead of complex sentences, the prose flows comfortably, in keeping with the author's search for meaning rather than..." Read more

      "...- embarking without a VHF radio for instance - but he was straightforward and sincere, and looking at his latest adventures, it looks that he had..." Read more

      "This book is well written. It will keep your interest and provide reading pleasure...." Read more

      "...If you are either, you will see yourself in this beautiful, simple book. The author hopes his story will make a difference to others...." Read more

      20 customers mention "Honesty"20 positive0 negative

      Customers appreciate the author's honesty. They find the book an honest account of life's challenges when you have the sea in your mind. Readers describe it as a real, practical, and simple read that is easy to read. The author shares personal trauma openly and authentically, and they identify with him greatly.

      "...without a VHF radio for instance - but he was straightforward and sincere, and looking at his latest adventures, it looks that he had matured into a..." Read more

      "...I appreciate the authors honesty about some of the mistakes he has made (we all make them but some are less inclined to admit it)...." Read more

      "Simple honesty is the best and rarest kind...." Read more

      "...Your honesty was such a breath of fresh air!..." Read more

      11 customers mention "Insight"11 positive0 negative

      Customers find the book insightful and a great self-discovery period. They appreciate the author's simple, practical way of living and exploring. The book offers a view of real life and its rewards and risks. Readers mention it's an entertaining read for those with large ambitions on a small boat.

      "...He enjoys sailing and the art of relying on yourself, nature, and Gods grace to move...." Read more

      "...However the author offers a view of real life and its rewards and risks, its failures and success...." Read more

      "...world a utopia ending, but rather real, practical and simple way of living and exploring...." Read more

      "This is a great self-discovery period I have always wanted to sail all of my life since I was a child...." Read more

      Five Stars
      5 out of 5 stars
      Five Stars
      Read in one sitting - one of the very best book about sailing small - and living BIG. Makes my Good Old 1978 23-foot Spirit Sailboat (pic attached) look like a palace. Neil's storytelling is exceptional, and I simply could not put this down.
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      Top reviews from the United States

      • nemahawg
        5.0 out of 5 stars Something More
        Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
        Verified Purchase
        Hawkesford asks the perennial question, 'Isn't there something more to life than the grind of consumerism and striving for prestige?" This is the story of how he finds that 'something' briefly before receiving the equally perennial reply: 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.'

        Told in his natural style, which is admirably unadorned and economical, this is the story of how the hammering of social pressures can do more damage than a storm at sea. Fortunately, the narrative spends more time on sailing than on the all-too-familiar social storms, and his style gives a clue that this nail is going to work it's way loose again.

        Though the hidebound grammarian might object to Hawkesford's use of sentence fragments instead of complex sentences, the prose flows comfortably, in keeping with the author's search for meaning rather than mindless conformity.

        Hawkesford writes for those of us seeking our own way of living a meaningful life--sailors, homesteaders, expatriates, mavericks, what-have-you--folks looking for something more.
        Helpful
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      • Jose Soler Ochoa
        4.0 out of 5 stars A good story from a once foolish sailor.
        Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2017
        Verified Purchase
        After reading a handful of cruising stories I toppled into this book and read it intrigued by the title and the feeling that it was not one of the same, dull, log-book type narratives. The author had a story to tell and I enjoyed hearing it. He was brave (or foolish) enough to fulfill his dream of cruising in a small sailboat in open ocean. Yes, he was careless - embarking without a VHF radio for instance - but he was straightforward and sincere, and looking at his latest adventures, it looks that he had matured into a seasoned veteran. The book is not a Pulitzer prize candidate, but it is really great for us small craft lovers who will love to take on ocean cruising and learn a few things that this lifestyle brings.
        Helpful
         Report
      • Adrenaline Seeker
        5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable story about sailing adventures
        Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2018
        Verified Purchase
        I enjoyed reading this book. I'm an aspiring sailor so it was fun to read about the adventures the author had while sailing and some of the challenges he faced and survived. He kept the story suspenseful but also provided some of the day-to-day aspects of sailing woven into the storyline. I appreciate the authors honesty about some of the mistakes he has made (we all make them but some are less inclined to admit it). I always believe that sharing stories about the mishaps and mistakes made while sailing can help us learn from each other and be safer at sea. It's a good read for those who enjoy stories about life on a boat at sea. I would recommend it to others interested in reading about this lifestyle.
        Helpful
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      • George C.
        3.0 out of 5 stars An honest non fiction that is easy reading but more important is one that you can relate to.
        Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020
        Verified Purchase
        I give it three over all but for honesty a five it's rare that an author can thoughtfully admit weakness and the reality of failures.
        Helpful
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      • Don Teague
        4.0 out of 5 stars A pretty good book.
        Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2019
        Verified Purchase
        This book is well written. It will keep your interest and provide reading pleasure. I do wish there had been a little more technical information about the self steering mechanism the author fabricated.
        Helpful
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      • Ken Stephens
        5.0 out of 5 stars Brave and Honest
        Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2017
        Verified Purchase
        Simple honesty is the best and rarest kind. If this book were a bell it would ring loud and sweetly and our hearts would resonate just as sweetly, just as poignantly.

        This book is the story we need to hear, the story of hope, of failure and the truths that only failure brings, and of hope regained and triumph on one's own terms.

        Are you one who has feared to fail, or one who has failed and feared to try again? If you are either, you will see yourself in this beautiful, simple book. The author hopes his story will make a difference to others. It sure made a difference to me. I hope it does for you too.
        One person found this helpful
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      • N.J.
        5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book.
        Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2017
        Verified Purchase
        A terrific book. ! I lived in South East Alaska for many yrs. and while there lived on an island, with my husband and one old man that lived in a cabin down the way. We were the islands only residents. We spent alot of time going back and forth to Ketchikan for supplies etc on our boat and many times in stormy weather but nothing like what you lived through. Your honesty was such a breath of fresh air! If you write more books about your life on your new boat and find you must exaggerate or make up little stories to make it interesting, STOP and write a "fairy tale "instead. Honesty is hard to come by these days, Thank you so much for sharing your life with us, good times and bad.
        4 people found this helpful
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      • Kindle Customer
        4.0 out of 5 stars A very human adventure.
        Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
        Verified Purchase
        At last, I have found no superhero sailor that overcomes all obstacles within and around, but a real person with real limitations who, through this book, taught me that failure is just another type of ending that can be embraced. It was fairly well written for a first book too.
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      Top reviews from other countries

      Translate all reviews to English
      • Julian Vertefeuille
        5.0 out of 5 stars Sogni e sconfitte
        Reviewed in Italy on September 4, 2022
        Verified Purchase
        È facile, per gli amanti del mare, identificarsi con tutti gli stati d’animo dell’autore: il richiamo dell’avventura, l’esilarante realizzazione delle prime conquiste, fino al tragico epilogo e allo sconforto dell’epilogo. Tuttavia il desiderio persiste nonostante la durissima lezione per trasformarsi in una nuova esaltante esperienza.
        Report
      • Tony Aitken
        5.0 out of 5 stars Great Adventure Story!
        Reviewed in Canada on March 26, 2020
        Verified Purchase
        Neil Hawkesford is an excellent writer and takes you along on his journey of adventure and self discovery. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and wish he wrote more of them! I will order his next book immediately! Thank you Neil for sharing your experiences!
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      • Marcelo
        4.0 out of 5 stars A Foolish Voyage: Self-Discovery at Sea
        Reviewed in Brazil on May 4, 2019
        Verified Purchase
        A book for people who loves the sea and sea stories of accomplish a dream, no matters what the results are.
        Report
      • Len Dee
        5.0 out of 5 stars A subject close to my heart
        Reviewed in Germany on December 22, 2019
        Verified Purchase
        In the past I sailed a Silhouette class too, and had the same dream, though never got as far as the author. Well written and I enjoyed reading it.
        Report
      • Cliente de Amazon
        4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting could not drop book.
        Reviewed in Spain on March 3, 2019
        Verified Purchase
        Reader enjoys recognizing oneself in the story. If any, consfructive comments, elaborate on how the situation degraded so fast during 50 hours of the journey. Thank you for inspiring messages of never giving up and going by own rules .... of happiness
        Report

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