Canal boat day #3. E is writing this as Jack is in bed asleep - he can add his thoughts tomorrow. Jack is extra tired after opening and closing 40-odd locks and doing his maths homework.We have also had draw-bridges to open. And we have to keep our boat on the move for several hours each day. Despite this great expenditure of activity we have only travelled 27 miles in three days - it is actually faster to walk.

We are now appreciating all the warm clothes we bought with us, and I have come up with a new paint colour called "English grey". Enjoying the "Englishness" of the countryside and the more relaxed pace of travel. Seven days of London was exhausting and after the quiet Nelson lifestyle I feel I should have been practicing for a more hectic pace before leaving home. I did have Kate working on her fitness before leaving and she has, as a result, coped very well with all the walking (largely by avoiding it).