We cast off at 8.30 to some cloud, we had a good couple of hours of lock free cruising ahead of us. Sausage butties appeared and disappeared just as quickly.

We turned off the Grand Union Canal and on on to the Oxford canal, it’s a lovely canal, and seems so peaceful with very few buildings and signs of civilisation.

Three locks done, and we met up with a 69ft hire boat with four people – what a result with all the locks ahead!  We managed another ten locks and made swift progress with suggestions such as would you like to stay here and finish this lock, or would you prefer to prep the next lock? Mum said that she preferred these types of locks, although let’s see if she thinks the same after Hatton Locks tomorrow!  It was lovely to meet the couple from The Old Stoker travelling the other way, we had the pleasure of their company last year at Caen Hill.

We stayed good to our promise and stopped for lunch, and a much needed rest.  We cast off for the afternoon’s shift and caught up with the hire boat from this morning, another ten locks done, by which time we were all starting to flag with the warm weather.

We moored just after the last lock at 5.10, Toby topped up the greaser while mum and I sat in the front cratch and cooled down.  I think we’ll all be tucked up in bed early, after 23 locks today – we’ve got at least 22 to do tomorrow!