Through Canal-Land in a Canadian Canoe

Setting out in late summer of 1899, two longtime friends decide to trade the familiar Thames for a three‑week trek along England’s lesser‑known canals. Equipped with a sturdy Canadian canoe sent from France, they secure the necessary passes and ready their gear, eager for a change of scenery. Their route will take them from Brentford up through the Grand Junction Canal, threading past rolling countryside and historic towns toward the distant waters of Westmorland. The tone is one of bright anticipation as the sun shines on the sparkling water.

The opening chapters follow their early days on the water: navigating the first locks at Brentford, sharing a simple lunch on the bar at West Drayton, and taking nightly rests in modest inns. Along the way they meet seasoned barge‑men who offer colourful advice, drift past the stately grounds of Cassiobury House, and pause at King’s Langley, birthplace of Edward III. With vivid descriptions of the summer heat, buzzing wasps, and the rhythm of paddle and lock, the journey feels both leisurely and alive.