Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington

Terry and Monica Darlington are retired and live in the north of England. For leisure activities, they run marathons and sail their narrowboat on the English canals. Terry walks Jim, the whippet, usually to the pub where Terry has a pint or several, and Jim begs for pork scratchings and sex.

Despite the fact that narrow boats are narrow because of the narrow English canals and are not meant to be in other waters, Terry and Monica decide to sail to Carcassonne, in the south of France. Jim is a poor sailor and is agin' it, but he goes, too. The experts warn that all three of them will die on the Rhône, if they haven't sunk in the Channel, assuming they made it down the Thames. In the end, they are given their permit by the waterways authority after Monica promises to never let Terry near the radio.

They have adventures and meet strange people and try to get to grips with strange customs and walk Jim along the tow paths. Somehow, this never reads like a travelogue. It is funny and charming and, occasionally, thoughtful.

Highly recommended.