The following is an article from The Haven Courier (April 2008):

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE ON A BARGE

Last year, we printed an article about Valerie Poore’s first book, African Ways which was published in May 2007. Valerie’s second book is now available, and this time the subject is closer to home.

The book is aptly named Watery Ways, and is an account of Valerie’s first year of living on a barge in the Oude Haven. In some respects, there are parallels with her earlier life in Africa as the living conditions were somewhat similar; for example the early months included the challenges of coping without running water, proper sanitation and even a lack of electricity at times.

In any event, the year in question (2001) describes her life from her first impressions of the harbour while renting a barge from another ligger, through to her eventual hunt for and purchase of her own barge to convert. During the course of the year, she has all sorts of fun and adventures, and to quote the cover notes:

“every month brings new challenges, obstacles and experiences. She meets a whole world of fascinating people, not least of whom are an endlessly smiling, but absent minded ‘landlord’, an intellectual, but quirky friend and confidante and an old world charmer whose mastery at the helm wins more than just her respect. She also learns how to cope with the sometimes strenuous demands of acting as skipper’s mate during numerous nail-biting watery adventures - quite frequently to hilarious effect!”

The Oude Haven has changed a little in the intervening years and some of the ‘characters’ are no longer in residence, but many of you will recognise events and situations and some of the people portrayed will be very familar to you.

Apart from being an easy, enjoyable read, Watery Ways is a unique account of life in the Oude Harbour from a resident’s point of view, and worthwhile reading for that alone. It is available from the online pubishers at the following address: www.lulu.com/content/1120355.