We went to bed early last night, the fresh air always seems to make us tired! We were both snug as a bug, Sarah even had the hot water bottle out just in case it got a bit chilly later.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny. We had a lazy start to the day, only casting off shortly after 10am, but what a lovely start to the day it was.

The sun came and went, playing hide and seek with us. When it was out it was T-shirt weather, when it went into hiding the jumpers came out. We are just softie southerners though!

• 

• 

Sarah did plenty of helming, and soon had her mojo. Unlike some other boaters who have given this bridge a bit of a battering over the years.

The canals were crazy busy, with boat after boat passing us in the opposite direction, and boats both behind and in front of us too. I’d thought we might find things quieter after the junction with the Grand Union at Napton Junction, but not a bit of it. We reached the bottom of the Napton flight to find a queue of four boats in front of us (two of them single handed), and it took us over an hour to get in the first lock. We then got out of that to find three boats still waiting to get into the next lock – no chance of us reaching top lock by it’s 4pm closing time then! The vlokie mentioned that Timmy and Pru (Timothy West and Prunela Scales) are about 9 boats in front of us, we hope to see them, although we’ll be keeping well out of the way with Timmy’s steering!

Luckily the sun stayed out most of the time and it was a lovely day to just relax and take our time. The boat got a bit of a cursory clean whilst waiting, as poor Oliver was looking pretty filthy after 9 months on his lonesome.

We passed a field of water buffalo, looking rather morose in their field. Luckily they didn’t have access to the canal, wouldn’t fancy meeting one of them head on!

We moored up just after 5pm, a few locks back from the summit. We’re expecting more queues tomorrow, with the top lock opening at 10am due to water shortages, and a load of boats in front of us, so a good excuse for a lazy morning again!

I’ve made some sourdough ready to go in the oven tomorrow morning. Can’t beat the smell of freshly baked bread first thing, yum!

Dinner was Beef Massaman (one we made earlier!), with pudding yet to be voted on 🙂

It’s been a strange old year, with Covid 19 and my two brain squatters, we’ve finally made it out on Oliver and our summer adventure. I have to admit to feeling quite nervous, I feel like I’ve somewhat lost my mojo, and confidence. Fear not readers, I’ve loved every minute of today!

There was extensive water damage to most of the windows, and despite our best efforts, it was beyond our skill set. In January, we took Oliver back up to where it was built (Welton Hythe Marina), but due to Covid 19, the repairs were delayed and only just finished last week. We’ve been so lucky, as the original chippy still works at the marina, you can see what a fabulous job he’s done.

• 

• 

A holiday on Oliver isn’t a holiday without food. Last night we went to Waitrose (my first time in a supermarket since March), I was like Charlie and the Chocolate factory, my eyes were out on stalks and I couldn’t resist all of the special offer goodies. I have no doubt we’ll get through it, and leave the boring/good for you stuff and take that home.

• 

• 

We left the marina just before 2pm, Toby did a fab job reversing out, turning in to the wind and mooring alongside for a pump out. I had the easy job of lifting the bridge, with the mandatory PPE gloves.

While waiting for the pump out, we had a practice at timed photos, the earlier versions just saw the back of me running to the boat.

It may still be early September, but I needed my hat – much to the amusement of folk on the tow path in their shorts and t-shirts. I was armed if anyone had a pop – I’ve got cancer, a big bald spot and I get cold!

I somehow managed to have the tiller as we approached Braunston tunnel. I had to deal with four boats coming the other way, three I didn’t touch and one bumped into me as they were going too fast and not close enough to the side – his wife had a pop at him as they went past and said ‘I told you to move over’

The flow of traffic was definitely in our favour at the six locks, there were boats coming up in each lock so we made quick work of them. Braunston itself was very busy, we didn’t fancy stopping so we took the left turn and stopped just on the Oxford canal just after 5pm

Toby hooked up the internet and watched the England match (final score England 1, Iceland 0 – phew!!). Toby’s favourite dinner of lasagne too

Why have we called this trip The Last Dance? With a heavy heart and many tears, we’ve made the decision to sell Oliver. The maintenance is only going to increase, and with the possibility of limited time ahead of me, it’s time to explore some new places not accessible by canal. I’ve chosen The Last Dance based on the Netflix series and the 97/98 Chicago Bulls . We’re going out on a high for sure.

An early night for both of us, to the sound of mooing cows and ducks pecking the moss off the side of the boat – that’s the countryside and canals for you.