Book 2 in the Fennel's Journal Series.

In A Waterside Year, I take time out to live beside a lake in rural England. Here I appreciate the healing qualities of water, study the wildlife around me, live at the pace of someone outside of normal daily life, and discover the freedom that’s found in isolation.

Getting so close to Nature, living and eating simply, doing some fishing, and generally spending time in idle fashion, enabled me to discover a stronger sense of self. Ultimately I learns that freedom is not a place but something that exists within us.

Chapters

• A Lake with a Purpose – the healing properties of water.
• Plumbing the Depths – rediscovering the map of a local pond.
• This Lake in Winter – introducing a special lake.
• A Lakeside Camp – setting up camp for the year.
• The Wildlife of a Pond – Warmer weather brings the lake to life.
• Night of the Silver Rain – writing by moonlight.
• Back to the Future – Anglers arrive at the lake.
• Canehenge – imagining a lake for traditional anglers.
• Afloat in a Punt – A new perspective of a familiar scene.
• The Last Carp of Summer – fishing for pleasure.
• The MacFennel Challenge – Hunting, fishing, foraging.
• A Gift of Life – giving thanks to my host.
• Freedom Within – Freedom is not a place, but rather a state of mind.
• Home from Home – Home really is 'where the heart is'.
• The Cottage Pool – remembering my favourite childhood lake.
• The Lake Within – Sustaining the vibrancy of life.

Publication details

• Published by Fennel’s Priory.
• First shared as handwritten letters in 2007
• Limited edition collectors' magazine published in 2012
• Kindle eBook published in 2013
• Hardback published in 2025

Book specification

• Dimensions: 216 x 140 x 13mm (8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5in)
• Page count: 158 pages
• Language: English
• Copyright © Fennel Hudson 2008, 2017
• Hardback ISBN 978-1-909947-06-1

Favourite Quote from A Waterside Year

"Water is intrinsically linked to the mystery and excitement of discovering new worlds. Of dreams. And hopes. And thoughts of what ‘could be’. Dreams free us from normality. ...As the daydreams grew longer, the distinction between what was real and what was imaginary grew less. Soon I existed in a blissful world of my own creation. Reality, as I learned, is only a matter of perception...A life that is real to one is surreal to another."

Reader Testimonials

“A year in the wild. How we would all love to follow in Fennel’s stead and indulge our dreams, to come out the other side a stronger and wiser person.”

“A wonderful and utterly unputdownable read. Well done!”

“A truly blissful read full of inspiration and humour. That story of Fennel sitting in his tent, with the noises outside, had me laughing out loud.”

“A Journal with a message – that we should take time out to think about what’s important, and see the beauty of the world.”