Kenneth Cranham On The Water

Episodes

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01Eel Pie Island2012012220130324 (R4)Written by Mark Burgess.

Today's story - Eel Pie Island by Mark Burgess - is set in the Summer of 1964 and recalls the heady days when Eel Pie Island, in the middle of the Thames near Richmond, was a favoured venue for rhythm & blues and rock bands. The Who, Rod Stewart, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones all played there.

It's a monologue - and a love story - in which a man in his 60's, embracing retirement, remembers his teenage years as a resident of Eel Pie Island and a particular, magical summer, in which everything fell into place.

A series of specially commissioned tales inspired by rivers and boats.

Producer: David Blount

By Mark Burgess. A man in his 60s, embracing retirement, remembers his teenage years.

Kenneth Cranham reads a series of short stories on the theme of rivers and boats

02Broad Reach, By Roy Apps2012012920130331 (R4)Written by Roy Apps.

Today's story - Broad Reach by Roy Apps - is the second in a series of specially commissioned stories which take boats and boating as their theme.

Nick has lost both legs in a car crash - and all his confidence as well. With the help of Jamie, his son, he starts sailing again - and manages to get the better of a pompous Yacht Club Commodore into the bargain....

A series of specially commissioned tales inspired by rivers and boats.

Producer: David Blount

With the help of his son, a recently disabled man gets his confidence back to go sailing.

Kenneth Cranham reads a series of short stories on the theme of rivers and boats

03Backwards And Forwards2012020520130406 (R4)Written by Cathy Feeny.

Today's story - Backwards And Forwards by Cathy Feeny - is the last in a series of specially commissioned stories which take boats and boating as their theme.

When Danny - an American academic working in London - takes his family on holiday to the banks of a Scottish loch, there's an uninhabited island to visit across the water. But Danny's the only one who can row. And the boat can only carry one other person at a time. As he rows backwards and forwards, Danny has a unique opportunity to discover a little more about each of his family in turn.

A series of specially commissioned tales inspired by rivers and boats.

Producer: David Blount

On a Scottish loch, an academic does a lot of rowing and has a proper talk with his son.

Kenneth Cranham reads a series of short stories on the theme of rivers and boats