Okay, I admit it – I decided to do this part of my trip as a bit of a farewell tour. Hopefully a bit like an Elton John Farewell tour – I.e. I’ll do another one and another one.
Many years ago, (twenty to be accurate) one of my cycle trips included the canal. I don’t remember much at all about it but I thought it would make a “fitting” conclusion to this trip. Clearly I’d forgotten how rough the towpath could be. However it was a delight to have tranquil surroundings and a slower way of life.
I as also able to drop in at Monkton and see my old rowing Coach from School days – Julian Bewick – and reminisce about years gone by. But times don’t wait and so it was onwards along the Canal and pastures for some 100 kms sometimes enjoying the ride and at others, swearing and muttering at the path, or watching the long boats navigate the locks along the way.
It takes about 4 ½ hours to get thru the 21 locks at Caen hill. Still an amazing engineering feat