Before becoming a full-time writer, Leo McNeir was for over twenty years language consultant to the European Association of Local Government Chief Executives. In that capacity he edited twelve dictionaries in fifteen languages, the first one published by Cassell in 1993. They are the standard works of reference in their field. He was the first professor of language policy at the European University for Public Administration in Rome and also edited the official dictionaries of the National Assembly for Wales (English and Welsh), the Scottish Parliament (English and Gaelic) and a joint project for the Irish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly (English and Irish). The latter was part of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Leo and his wife, cookery writer Cassandra McNeir, live with their cat, Marmalade, in a 300 year-old cottage in rural Northamptonshire.

Other works by Leo

Cruising USA

In a special three part series, Leo explores the canals of New York State.

By kind permission of Canals and Rivers magazine.

Click on the title below to read the document in Adobe pdf format.

If any reader is interested in taking a holiday on the Erie Canal in New York State, please feel free to contact Leo if you would like further information about the practicalities.

He travelled on both the western and eastern sections of the canal and also the Mohawk and Hudson rivers and would be pleased to offer any advice that might be helpful in planning your own trip. It was quite an adventure!