Friday 5th August 2005
Calcutt Bottom Lock - Stockton Top Marina (2 miles, 0 locks)
We had cleaned the outside of the boat and polished all the brasswork the previous evening, so inevitably it rained during the night and was still drizzling while we ate breakfast and set off back to the marina.
The Napton boat Endeavour was coming the other way and as we passed them, a powerful blast of aftershave aroma filled the air. Why do big butch men splash their faces with such feminine fragrances? It's not something a beardy old git like me will ever understand. The pong was drifting down the canal for the next quarter of a mile.
We arrived at the marina just before 9am and handed in our “End of Holiday” report and requested the “valet mooring” service in exchange for the usual blank cheque.
It has been another great holiday, especially as the people we met along the way were all so wonderful. Now we have to get back to work and forget about life on the canals until November....