WRITER Horatio Clare will talk about his latest book, Down To The Sea In Ships, at Rossiter Books in Ross-on-Wye on Thursday, February 13.

Clare joined two container ships as a writer-in-residence, travelling in the company of their crews and experiencing unforgettable journeys. He learned about the largely unconsidered life of the small crews of seafarers who work the giant ships which keep landed life afloat.

The first journey took Clare from Felixstowe to Los Angeles, via Suez. It is a journey rich with Mediterranean history, torn with typhoon nights and gilded with an unearthly Pacific peace. The second, a northerly passage from Antwerp to Montreagoes to frozen regions of the North Atlantic, in deep winter, where the sea itself seems haunted.

Receiving excellent reviews, the book is a beautifully written testament to the unsung sailors who load, transport and unload the things we take for granted.

The event will start at 7pm and tickets are available at £3 each from either branch of Rossiter Books Ross (01989 564464) and Monmouth (01600 775572) and online rossiterbooks.co.uk