It’s over. We have departed from Ali’s Dream.
We made our way super, extra, very slowly the last 1/4 day, stretching it out as long as possible. We meandered back to Swanley BridgeMarina, to allow time for a last canal coffee, and to savour the last 5 locks.
In total, we completed 939 miles and 874 locks in 81 days (not to mention several bottles of Baileys – the essential ingredient in our canal coffee).

a last bit of knitting while enjoying another glorious sunset
We filled Ali up with fuel, did a few pirouettes and backed her into a very slender berth. Then followed 24 hours of washing, polishing and sorting. I achieved my Fitbit goal and then some just on dashing to and fro between the boat and the marina laundry!
Jackie-the-Boat-owner made a few queries about us being happy to get back to a flush toilet and ample water flow but, honestly, a washing line and good Internet connection were all I’d missed.
Our last was another stunningly beautiful morning but, strangely, between locking the boat and reaching our hire car, there were raindrops. Actual rain drops. This turned into a light shower, requiring windscreen wipers and creating modest puddles. Not enough to break the drought, but it did help to make our departure easier.
Thanks for reading and joining in John’s and my summer adventure. And now I’m signing off from the cut…
I’ve started putting out feelers for next year’s boat.
This week’s sale pattern:
The versatile, multi-size Lighthouse Bag is another fun summer project! It is worked in the round in a spiraling lacy pattern that gradually decreases as it winds its way up the bag to finish in a short-row Spider strap.
This quick project requires very little finishing and can be felted to make it resistant to stretching.
The Lighthouse Bag pattern is half-price ($3.75CAD) until July 26,
Happy Stitches!