A boat tag chase, an unexpected wall (courtesy of a stray pair of tracksuit bottoms round the prop), and a spot of old-fashioned horse-towing down the Delph Locks — our trip from Bentley Bridge to Wombourne had a bit of everything, finishing with a soggy but scenic cruise to Wombourne for next weekend’s Staffs & Worcs Canal Society gathering.

Eight coats of paint, a stripped-back roof, broken locks, low water levels and a lot of single locks later — we’ve made it from the Southern Grand Union up to the West Midlands, with the wreath of remembrance in tow. Come find us on the cut and take a photo with it.