Boating and Beagles!!!! - An invitation to a Book Launch!

"Hello Fiona, It's Alison Alderton, I wondered if you might be interested in coming to a special event in Chichester on 4th October 2018? It Involves Beagles and Boats!!!" Well, of course, being the Animal lover I am, and up for an adventure,  I said yes! 

I had been friends with Alison on Facebook for some time though we'd never actually met before, there being a distance of just a few miles between her home in Denmark and mine on the South East Coast of England. Alison had been a member of the photography group I run and so I knew we shared an interest in photography. I had also been following her story as she went about trying to get her first book published, "Boating With Buster: The Life and Times of a Barge Beagle". Little did I know at the time that I would be fortunate enough to play a small part in her journey.

Alison had kindly given me the opportunity to come along and photograph her Book Launch. I was very excited, though admittedly a little nervous as this was to be the first proper commissioned job I had undertaken as a photographer. Together, with my friend and fellow photographer Gareth, we ventured forth on our way to Chichester. This is how I got to meet such a wonderful lady and her lovely family too!

Alison with her Book

Chichester Canal Basin

Arriving at the Chichester Canal Centre at 11am, I was greeted by a lady wearing a top covered in Beagles. "Ahhh, this has to be the star of the show herself, Alison!" Gareth and I were introduced to her husband Roger and their current canine companion, Maksi. We were given a brief tour around the centre by host Ian Milton from the Chichester Ship Canal Trust and made to feel very welcome with hot drinks in the upper seating area of the Heritage Centre's cafe. At this point, we were introduced to Alison's parents and realized it was a very special day for Alison's dad too as he was celebrating his 82nd birthday!

Alison with her mum, dad, and husband Roger

Boating with Buster

As the book launch itself was due to be taking place around midday, I had wanted to take a few photographs before Alison got too busy. The Canal basin is situated in such a lovely location and made for a nice backdrop to some of the photos I took there.

Alison had spent her early life growing up not far from the Chichester Canal basin, her family home being in Rose Green, Bognor Regis. The Chichester Canal basin, therefore, has special meaning to Alison and her family so it was nice for the family to be able to use the location to mark such a special day!

Alison & Janet Richardson unveil the book

About 25 to 30 people turned up for the event which began with a beautiful 2-hour cruise along the Chichester Canal. Boarding the boat, "Richmond", we set off at 12.30pm. I was introduced to Janet Richardson, editor of Towpath Talk. She gave a brief talk on board before officially untying the ribbon to the book as we departed the basin.

Roger then proceeded to read a few excerpts from the book and gave us all an insight into the funny and often mischievous antics that Buster would get himself into! Having now started to read my own copy of the book, I can easily imagine what a little boisterous boy Buster was!

I learned of the time that Alison and Roger discovered for the first time whether their dog could swim or not! how funny a tale that was! In true "Buster style", he had been attempting to chase a black and white collie, the dog being on the towpath and Buster on the barge. After some time of trying to keep up with the collie it appeared that whilst the collie was safely on firm ground on the towpath, Buster had met with a loud thud to find himself in the water! splash!!! oopsie!!! Roger, having jumped in to rescue the bundle of trouble, tried to encourage Buster to swim towards him. Well, I won't spoil it for those of you who would like to read the book for yourselves, but yes, it did make me chuckle!!!!

Alison, Roger & Maksi

A guest with their tea towel

Buster had shared Alison's heart and home for 12 years, having travelled thousands of miles on the UK waterways as well as visiting Ireland and Europe. He had visited 10 countries in all!  After Buster's sad parting in  2015, she felt the need to publish her adventures with her "Admiral" as he became well known as.  Today marked a momentous occasion having taken her 3 years to reach the stage of getting her book published.

Enjoying Fish and Chips on the canal

We enjoyed a nice fish and chip lunch while cruising along the canal. Guests had also been given a goodie bag which consisted of a beautiful tea towel with the slogan "I've been boating with Buster", a bookmark and postcard and some rock.

Alison, Roger & Maksi on Richmond

Maksi sniffing the air

A short while after lunch, we stopped in a beautiful spot along the river. Roger took Maksi for a short walk along the towpath and Gareth also hopped off and took a few photos as we later continued our cruise along the canal. Maksi seemed to be following very nicely in the footsteps of his predecessor Buster, as he wore his bright orange life vest. I managed to capture him in that typical Beagle pose with his nose high in the air giving it a good sniff for interesting smells! Maksi came to join the family aged just 10 weeks old in October 2015 and has already travelled many of Denmark's waterways and has also been to other countries too.

Alison signing her book

reunited after 35 years!

At about 2.30pm we were back at the heritage centre disembarking the Richmond. A few more guests had arrived and we had some more refreshments as Alison prepared to start signing her book. The occasion was made all the more special as one of Alison's old friends whom she hadn't seen for over 35 years made a very special effort of being present at the book signing. Emotions naturally ran high!

Roger read a few more short clips from the book and by about 4pm the afternoon came to a close as the last of the guests dropped in to buy their copy of Boating with Buster, including some more of Alison's family and friends.

I had had a wonderful day and got to meet some really interesting folk! I enjoyed my trip along the canal and being able to give Maksi lots of cuddles too!

If you would like to find out more about Alison, you can take a look at her website Alison Alderton where you can also purchase your own copy of her book if you would like to.

I hope you've enjoyed following me along the Chichester Canal and look forward to catching up with you all on my next blogspot!