Jason was commissioned as Writer in Residence by Canal and River Trust to write about life on the canal system and this is the beautiful result. I read this book during a period of extreme stress and it was like meditation for my brain!Jason’s writing style and use of language brings the entire journey to life as if you are doing it also. It’s not a ‘canal boat journey’ because CRT commissioned him to document all modes of use of the canal system and so he journeys by barge, but also by bike, kayak (which he has almost inspired me to buy as I live right near a canal!) and describes his overnight stays along his journey. He describes the history of the canal systems, the people who used them originally, and how they have evolved to present day use - as canals were almost outdated before they were completed due to the coming of the railways it’s lovely to read that present day use is really the time of their greatest success.He describes all the people he meets - people who live on barges, a theatre/acting community, stores operating from barges, how supplies are moved about for barge residents. Then when he’s cycling he covers the cyclist’s interaction with the canal system, and all the people he meets. He describes the safety or otherwise of travelling the system and how problem areas are being cleaned up by making the system more densely used. His kayaking journey is beautiful to read (and has almost inspired me to have a go!) as he describes manoeuvring his kayak around locks and low swing bridges. He also describes the canal side pubs, and also the wildlife he meets along the way where the improvement in the canal management is creating essential habitat that is a corridor for wildlife across the country.The book seemed to last for AGES (which I was so grateful for as it became my escape) but I suspect that was due to my speed of reading slowing as my brain imagined every part, bringing it all to life from Jason’s beautiful descriptions. I can’t recommend this book highly enough, and I’m off to buy ‘Paddle’ now!