Woken brutally by the sound of Lawrence banging the thing he was banging. Alas, us girls cannot remember the correct nautical term and the boys are most unhelpful. Twas an 8 am start though, with at least four playful locks before a full English breakfast. More locks, we're becoming rather quick, gaining an audience en route. Pit stop at Itchingbottom for local beer in the Buck and Bellend. Ginger wine for the lads and a feminine pint for the girls... the barman was acutely embarrassed at getting the order mixed up. Another snifter at the Two Boats, where we encountered our biggest challenge yet; seven locks at Stockton and much wrist ache later we made it. Luckily the only thing we met going down was a beefy lesbian who didn't require any assistance at all. She was most friendly and had a real knack with the windlass. We swung into Napton, a quick left and a 
thrust to the right we narrowly avoided a deep nudge into two old boys who gallantly waved away out attempts at apology. Then we were in the tranquil stretch of the most peaceful part of our journey. The contours of the canal and landscape bathed in a deep multicoloured orange and blue streaked sky. The Victorian church at Upper Shuckborough silhouetted against the fiery sunset and coming moon. The scene so perfect we agreed to moor for the night. Our only neighbour ventured out to enquire whether we would object to him letting off his fireworks during the night. Not at all![Post written by First Mate, Sarah Roome]
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