A HUGE THANK YOU TO SO MANY

 WOW what can we say

That's was a holiday of a life time, assuming we don't win lotto of course 

Time to reflect on our Journey and say a few thanks to the many many people we have met along the way, some for a few minutes at a lock or in a pub over a drink and some for longer as we travelled together as our buddy's up and down locks. I hope I get you all and forgive me if I miss a few.

To Martyn and Charlotte owners of Musn Grumble, thanks for letting us do the 6 months long term hire and experience the true waterways of England. It must be hard watching your baby go off with green horns every year hoping that you will see Grumble again.

To Patrick G, my boss at HEB construction for giving me 6 months leave without an argument and all the guys and girls who work there that have followed us and commented along the way. Thanks guys.

To Sue and Andrew our house sitters for the efforts you have put in with our pets and Andrew for becoming a cat lover in the end. To the family and friends back home and here in UK, thanks for your support and to our No. 1 daughter thanks for not causing us to much stress while we are so far away.

To all those we met and travelled with - cousins Donna & Sharon who spent a few days with us through Leeds on a whistle stop tour of pubs and red wine dispensers, our livers did recover in the end. To Dianne, our cousin from Horsforth, who rode with us for two weeks over the Leeds Liverpool and Bridgewater canals. Thanks luv it was great and a special thanks for the day trip to Liverpool, that was an experience.

To Sue and Geoff on Steam Nb Whistle down the Wind, thanks for showing us the wisdom of lock buddy's on wide canals and your beautiful boat.
To Jeff & Caroline, John & Jane who we met in Wales, thanks guys for the on going friendship. Jeff & Caroline thanks for the guided tour of Central Birmingham especially the library (don't mock its fabulous). To Mrs Mytton at Jack Mytton's pub, thanks for the tour of renovations and the garden party that followed. Good Luck with the new venture - they have just opened we recommend visiting.
To Carol & Noel on Nb Willy Nilly - thanks for the Hatton flight, turning 21 locks into a mornings work and the Cape of Good Hope for the Kiwi Burgers for lunch that day.

To Jim & Mo at Oakcraft Boats, thanks for the boat service and the yard space for a few days for our  rental car. Also the tour of the wonderful work you do on boats. If we win lotto you are the builders of choice -  true craftsman.
To Maxine & Ian great to catch up again all these miles from home. To Mary & Rodger Nb Dorinda what a great pair to travel with thanks for the time and humour. Colin & Deborah on Nb Rosella for a drinks evening on the mighty Thames backing on to Windsor Castle. Also the help to get off the mud in the morning. To Joan for an evenings entertainment at The Swan, Whitchurch on Thames, thanks for the company and for your ongoing support.

Eliza, Troy and Harry - what a great day on the Thames with you young people - oh to have the energy again, see you at home soon. So pleased we managed to catch up in London for dinner also Eliza & Troy - enjoy the last of your time in UK.
Kiwi's Don & Val who are on their 3rd season of the English Waterways on Nb Whio, 2 seasons to finish the tour, you are intrepid boaters - Good luck.

Robert the LOCK at Stone, thanks buddy for the help on 2 different occasions. Boaters on the Trent & Mersey around Stone look out for Robert on his bike, he is a star.  Sarah who we met twice, once at Anderton and once again at the Macclesfield. A happy and friendly lady with a huge smile and great taste in boat colours.  To all the locals we met in pubs and who took the time to be friendly and welcoming - Thank you, the accents may vary but the welcomes were always warm and sorry about the World Cup.

To Janet & Celia, sisters, who asked very nicely to come with us up the Rochdale through the badlands and over the summit, what a great pair to do a trip like that with, and to cousin Nick who replaced Celia when she flew away in her hot air balloon, thanks mate it was great to have another male on board for awhile. Janet good luck for the future on Albert I'm sure he will get you through, And Celia if you come ballooning in NZ look us up, we will have wine.

And finally to Jan, Alistair and LJ thanks guys for so much, the support before we came, the visits and catch ups while we were here. The days we ran together and the advice on Thames tides. Thank you so very much.
And finally to the old gentleman who played "Speed Bonny Boat" on the bagpipes as we locked up off the River Severn, you sir are proof that the true English Eccentric is still alive and well, and out on his boat.

So if we have missed anyone, we are sorry but if you met us or we bumped into you while we were here, it was a blast and yes we would definitely would do it again.