Journey's End

So after 6 wonderful years afloat touring the UK waterways the adventure finally comes to an end.  I've covered the majority of the UK canal and river network from Ripon in the north to Guilford in the south.  Llangollen in the west and the East Anglian rivers in the east.  I've made new friends, met up with old friends and seen so many varied and beautiful hidden views of our green and pleasant land.

A few statistics to finish with:

9,475 miles or 3 times across the Atlantic. 

5,520 locks - at an average of 5' that's a total of 27,600'. Given that what goes up must come down that's equates to lifting and then lowering the boat some 13,800' using only water.  Only a little short of taking it up Mont Blanc and back. I have also climbed that distance on lock ladders - no wonder my knees ache.

4,815 hrs spent stood at the tiller. That's 200 days !

7,000 litres of diesel 


And a big thank you to my brother Dave who has helped me move the boat back to Braunston and prepare her for sale. Couldn't have done it without you.


A final photo of my beloved Mr Bunbury back on the dock at Braunston where we first met.

The final year

Well it's been a while since my last post back in Nov 17 when I arrived in Newark.  I was knocked for six by the nasty flu virus doing the rounds and after suffering for 2 weeks I then developed a chest infection.  A narrow boat is not the best place to recuperate during in a chilly December so I decided to leave the boat in Nottingham Marina and stayed with my brother for a month to get back to full strength.  Dave took me back to the boat in early Feb and helped me move it off the river Trent onto the safer Trent and Mersey canal.  Having returned to the boat on the coldest week of the winter so far I spent most of my time stoking the fire which did a fine job of keeping it cosy inside despite a layer of frost on the roof.

I am once again on shore leave with Dave as there are a couple of locks closed for repairs which limits my movement until mid March.

I had decided last year that I would spend one more year on the boat before returning to land. I've now decided that I will sell the boat in the summer leaving me with a few months to enjoy a final tour and to do all those little jobs needed to prep her for sale.

In the 6 years aboard I've visited the vast majority of the canal system and covered almost 8,000 mile and passed through almost 5,000 locks. I've seen most of the key sights on the network - Llangollen aqueduct, Caen Hill flight of 29 locks, the Anderton boat lift are memorable.  The only trip I still want to do is to cruise under Tower Bridge in my own boat.

Therefore, once back aboard my final trip will be down the Grand Union Canal to London to travel the tidal Thames from Limehouse Basin under Tower Bridge and past Westminster before returning to Braunston where this wonderful journey began.