It was an emotional journey not least also because the sun came out and it was glorious cruising weather. The cruise was easy, no more locks and a prime canal section. We ended our boater life on a top note.

That was it on 2 July 2017 ‘living on the cut’ ended for us.

It was a lovely, often demanding time. We had happy moments, sad ones too. Challenges abound, how will we look back on those in a few years time?

Because now, a new chapter is ahead of us. A new country, culture and climate. And definitely more living space.

But one thing we know, there will be times we will miss Quintessence, she was a hidden queen.

There was a comforting thought, at least she’s in good hands with Braunston Marina.

And we wish the new owner best of luck.

Adnan dismantled the three projects ‘boattr’, ‘mazizone’, and ‘7067 – It’s not a Test’:

On the way to Flecknoe, a dead bush invaded by spiders.

Just after Calcutt Locks, which where the last locks we worked (for the rest of our lives?) we reached Napton Junction where we had to turn into Oxford Canal in direction of Braunston. We wanted to make a pit stop and once again the cat escaped into the bushes. So, we had to wait.

Which also meant time to catch up on emails…

But once the escapist was back we continued towards Flecknoe, our destination for the day, where Adnan was so exhausted he immediately fell asleep once we found our mooring spot.

It was still raining, it’s British summer after all, but rain drops look good on a perfectly painted boat.

Even the antennae looks good, the solar panels got a good wash…

And Behemoth, aka Sava, in her element.

We will have two days to pack most of our stuff and to stack up the card board boxes will be quite a challenge in that small space.