Following a very early start to the day, up and dressed before finding out it was 05.25, we set off through Braunston flight of 6 locks. Think I was suffering from sleep deprivation, as at the first lock I struggled to open a very stiff paddle only to realise that I had opened the wrong one and was filling the lock instead of emptying it! Good job it was early and there were no gongoozelers about to witness my idiocy! Lol! Yet again I was very glad to have my sup...

On this journey we will be moving Liberte from Dunchurch Pools Marina to Crick Marina ready for the Crick Boat Show. After a pleasant hours cruise we found an overnight mooring spot at the entrance to Braunston Marina then a brisk walk to The Admiral Nelson for a pint and dinner.

After we passed Hawksbury Junction the canal turned into what can only be described as a a massive rubbish tip, it was heartbreaking to see it so misused and neglected, we were dreading what we would find at the canal basin at the end and whether we’d be able to moor for the night or have to turn around and go all the way back! We were relieved to find that it was fine, with a very nice looking hire fleet based there alongside the Coventry Canal Basin Trust.

Here we are back at Tilbury after a fortnight of ups and downs. Am I glad I did this cruise? Yes. Am I glad it's over? Yes. Would I ever cruise again? NO! We've seen the Aurora Borealis, which was the reason we went. We've also seen some of the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery imaginable. We've met a very small number of lovely people who we plan on remaining friends with in the future. We've also witnessed the most appallingly rude, selfish and inconsider...

Last day thank heavens! The first time I've ever looked forward to the end of a holiday and feeling particularly miserable today with this cold. Rob went to the last lecture today with Paul Barker the press photographer which he said was good, he needs to keep using the camera now to get all the info ingrained while its fresh. Picked up the duty frees and the photographs, then went back to the cabin to pack ready for the cases to be collected tonight.