And we’re off…it’s fabulous to be on the move again, going nowhere fast but going somewhere nonetheless.

After 3 months of lock-free life, is it surprising that I started to fill rather than empty the first lock I needed to go through? What was second nature at new year had to be quickly re-learned to go up the flight of 4 locks on to the Llangollen canal; luckily there was noone but me to groan at my novice’s mistake.

From the turn-off at Hurleston junction, there are 44 miles and 21 locks through Cheshire, Shropshire and despite the name, a surprisingly small bit of Wales, towards the end crossing the famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct (and no, I can’t spell or say it unaided).

In less than 24 hours on this canal I’ve seen wonderful blossom in the hedgerows and more bird species visiting my little feeder than I saw in the whole of lock down; I seem to be in a completely different world to the one that is barely 5km behind me.