Day 167 and as predicted we stayed on our moorings, reading, odd jobs (inside) watching movies. An uneventful day with few boats moving, understandably. We don’t often berate other boats for going too fast but did shout at one hire boat which went passed us very close and too fast, hit our stern, and still didn’t slow down. They were slower as they came back past after winding. D resisted the pies!

Day 168 and a much nicer day even if it was only about 5C when we set off just after 0930. A few boats past us earlier going in the same direction as us, including one of the other Dorset owned boats we had seen back at Crofton on the K&A, who we know moor in the marina opposite ours. We didn’t see the rush as the Napton flight isn’t open until 1000. Met plenty of boats coming up the flight, apparently we were number eight going down. One pound was very low but otherwise uneventful. Found a mooring just below the flight but moved four boats further up later as we were on a curve and couldn’t get our fenders in a suitable place. Our previous space was re-occupied as we finished mooring up. Tried to book a table at a favourite pub in Braunston as a last night treat, but they are on winter opening times now and won’t be open. Very disappointing, will be heading for the marina instead tomorrow.

Day 169 and our last cruising day. A very short run (about two hours) all quiet until we got close to home with the last three locks at Calcutt. There were three boats ahead of us, two owned and one hire boat which was behaving strangely (pulling in on the non-towpath side, then coming off the side again). We pulled in on the lock mooring behind the hire boat, once we managed to persuade them to move forward to make room for us. D spoke to the helm who said they had done lots of hiring but their crew were clueless and had to be told how to work the lock at each of the three locks. J ended up doing nearly as much work as if we had been on our own, as well as instructing the other crew. There were boats coming up through second two locks including a single hander followed by a breasted up hotel boat. Greatly relieved to leave them behind. Turning into the marina J saw a crayfish on the brick work of the entrance way. It felt like we had come home.