Day 44 Friday May 23

May 23, 2025

Gary and Bob up and away early this morning. Back to Silsden to get the toilet pumped out. Graeme, Maureen, Kath and I whiled away the time til the Canal Side cafe opened. Wandered down for raisin toast and hot chocolate. Delicious! Such a beautiful day and a great cafe. Very cold again so just lovely to sit in the sun and sip hot chocolate.

Gary and Bob returned about 1015am and we’re back at the coffee shop for them to have morning tea. Then up and away back to near Skipton to get Maureen and Graeme through the last swing bridge. Gary and Bob had to turn the boat again and did a fantastic job! It is not easy turning these long narrow boats in lower than normal water levels! Gary does the turning and Bob does the directing, great team work!

Trouble again with the boat! We filled up the water tank yesterday but now it looks like it’s empty! After nearly a day of not being able to use the toilet we now can’t use the toilet, shower or sinks! Grrrr!

Had our last UK dinner together tonight at tha Bay Horse. Lovely meal. It was quite sad knowing that tomorrow we part ways with Graeme and Maureen. They’ll spend the night in Skipton before catching the train to Manchester where they’ll spend a couple of days and then off to Ireland.

Bob, Kath, Gary and I will motor up to Silsden in the morning and spend the night there. We’ll catch the train to London, Kings Cross station where we’ll part ways. Bob and Kath have about a week in London before they fly home. Gary and I are staying outside of London. We’ll have two days exploring London, doing all the touristy things before heading home Wednesday afternoon!

We’ve all really enjoyed the canal boating but say we would not come back and do again. The experience has been wonderful but also will be nice to get back to normal accommodation.

You’ll have to excuse me if I show the same photos! I can’t remember what I’ve put in and what I haven’t!