So where I left off it was Monday night, I think.
The next day, Tuesday, was rain, rain, rain again - but in the afternoon it came out sunny! So we took full advantage of the sun, sitting on the roof of the boat, cruising along - Michelle and I even practised our Charlie's Angels impersonations!





We got to the other side of the tunnel, and there's a problem. The turning area is too narrow for our boat. We can't turn! Hmm...
So, we moored up and pondered our plight over breakfast (yummy French toast cooked by Q). There was only one thing for it. We had to go on to the next turning point. The only problem with that was - there were 7 (yes, SEVEN) locks in a row just before the turning point - so we would have to go through the 7 locks, turn around, and DO THE SAME SEVEN LOCKS AGAIN!!!!
But there was nothing for it, we had to do it. Actually it wasn't so bad, its just that it takes some time for the locks to fill, so in all it took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go through the 7 locks. And then we had to go back through them.
So mid-afternoon and we finally turn around and make our way back. The thing is, its raining again - but by this point we really have got the driving teams sorted and actually it wasn't a hardship at all.
We drove as far as we could before sunset (bearing in mind sunset is around 9pm, so actually we made up some time) and then pulled off to the side near a cute little pub, where we had dinner.
Thursday. Wouldn't you know it, but there's sun. Our last full day. Actually the day was pretty uneventful, we made good time through the locks and made it back to Linslade in good time (the boat was due back at the marina at 9.30am the next day). Seeing as the sun was still shining, we jumped off the boat and went to the local tesco's to get more provisions for another barbie - only this time we put the actual barbie on the canalbank whilst we cooked the food. I made chocolate bananas, which were actually quite nice.
Friday. We got up early, had to clean the boat, then we motored the short distance to the marina, returning the boat in good time. Alas, again the sun was shining - just at the end of the holiday. You wouldn't read about it, would you?
After we returned the boat, we went to a nearby cafe for a final breakfast before making our way home. We tallied up the mileage we'd done in the boat and it was just on 100 miles. Not bad for a few days cruising, hey?
It really was a brilliant time and I can thoroughly recommend the canal boat experience to all.
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