Posted by Woll on May 05, 1999 at 20:08:32 from 195.166.139.134:
In Reply to: Then, and Now... posted by Edwin M. Kiser on May 04, 1999 at 22:31:17:
Whilst it is true that the people and places that Ransome describes have certainly changed, I don't feel that should stop Edwin from visiting them!
It's also very likely that Ransome's descriptions of the places is not even an accurate depiction of the 30s either - as he was writing partly about his childhood memories.
I think that part of the appeal, for me, of the SAs series is precisely because I know that he is writing about places that no longer exists as he describes. There is certainly fun to be had in visiting the places to find out exactly how they HAVE changed - It would surely be boring for them to be exactly as he described!
As for the Norfolk Broads I can attest that they are not as he describes, but are still a superb place to visit. There are still many areas of the Broads in which you can be completely alone with nothing but the water, reeds and sky (and boat!) to accompany you. Of course this is helped by the "in season" for sailing (TARS members will surely be sailing, not 'motoring') does not coincide with the main holiday period for motor cruisers.
Woll