For September the canal was exceptionally busy yesterday, perhaps it was the sunshine and the possibility that it was the last warm day of the year.  As we had visitors in the afternoon we were not any exception and headed off down the canal to enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

The two day boats (open canal boats) went along, normally people celebrating a birthday or a family get together.  Two long term hire boats had travelled down from Odiham,  one had to stop for Daddy to go back and rescue something that had fallen into the canal - maybe a shoe. 

Then there were numerous children in canoe's, looked like they were having a 'fun day' as all the parents were perched on the swing bridge watching the activities.  Scared off any boaters who wanted to go through the swingbridge, not worth the hassle of trying to get past the swarm of orange canoes. We also turned back. Finally the peddle boats were also out on hire from the Canal Center.  What a busy day and that was just on the water.

Today it was the turn of the fisherman,  must have had a competition on as they were spread along the towpath at regular intervals at least it was still reasonably nice weather, can never quite understand their enthusiasm in the pouring rain, or as happened last winter when the canal is actually iced over and they need to break the ice first.  Reminds me of cartoons of Yogi Bear.