Day 14

14.5 miles: 19 locks: 4 + litres of Pimms remaining

We made really good progress today, which has lifted our spirits after yesterday- we  will make it home! We did intend on leaving Thatcham early, around 7:30am, but we all slept in! However, we travelled quickly to Newbury and then on through Kintbury and Hungerford. We were going to stop at Hungerford and go to the pub for dinner, but it was getting late, raining and we also found it difficult to find suitable moorings. In the end, we moored by a lock just before Froxfield. It is very peaceful and probably best to be away from Hungerford because it is the beer festival tonight. 

The canal along here is pretty, there are a few tricky locks, some swing bridges, but nothing really challenging. We did see some interesting boats - one was a horse drawn hire canal boat, and we also saw the Bruce Trust canal boat which is specially adapted for people with disabilities. We had some really heavy rain, which was not pleasant, and although I was rather wet at the beginning of the day, I was kept dry by a quick delivery of my Mum's waterproofs! We have decided we are going to leave some raincoats on the boat so that no-one gets caught out in the way we have. 

It has been lovely seeing my family over the last few days, Anthony and Charlotte have really enjoyed it too. It feels like we've been away so long, and that is one of the best things about coming home - seeing family and friends. We should be arriving at Crofton tomorrow lunchtime, which is great timing because Crofton is in steam. We have all loved our adventure, but it will be good to get home, sleep in our own beds and use a washing machine!