Canal World Discussion Forums: Friday 18th June - The Grand Tour is Over :( - Canal World Discussion Forums

And before I realise it's happened, I'm down the Napton flight (a few boats about) and back to Napton Junction to complete the Thames Ring (perhaps I should have brought champagne?) Weather is cloudy, but warmish, then I arrive at a deserted Calcutt Top Lock, only to find it very busy for the other 2, in fact I don't really have to get off the boat as the other boat has plenty of crew. And back into Ventnor Farm to start cleaning up and packing, in fact I'd just cleaned one side of the boat and it started raining! So I started sorting the inside.

Some thoughts:
It's been a great trip with lots of different company.
I've done about 500 miles and 300 locks in some 200 hours of cruising!
I didn't manage to to the Slough Arm or the Stort, but took in the Wendover Arm! Need an excuse to go back!
All the lock keepers on the Thames were great, except the miserable bugger at Goring!
Not impressed with BW not turning up to Old Ford Lock when we were stuck.
Not a hint of any potential banditry.
Met a lot of friendly fellow boaters.
Not a single lock stolen, and a large % of boats slowing down when passing.
I'll not forget the strange fisherman on day 2.
The very near miss with Vitality on the Thames.
And I'll always remember passing through the centre span of Tower Bridge!