Your perfect day out by the canal

Relaxation was a theme which ran through the entire competition. Food and drink appeared to rate highly in many entries with wildlife also seen as key to a good day out.

Although we could only pick six winners to receive a copy of the latest Cool Canals book, we’ve published a selection of our favourite entries below.

If you didn’t win a book this time you can still purchase a copy of Britain’s Great WaterwayOutdoors by visiting www.coolcanalsguides.com.

Winners

On a sunny spring day newly-hatched cygnets are riding on their parents' backs, with tiny ducklings swimming around the boat. Friendly boaters share locks, while anglers chat about the day's catch. Cyclists and walkers enjoy the well-maintained towpath, and all users live in harmony.
From Bridget Rout

Crisp, frosty blue skied morning. Still, clear, water. A sudden splash of ducks. Heron takes flight. Flash of blue kingfisher among the bushes. Smell of bacon cooking from below. Enter into the warmth from the crackling wood burner, Mug of tea. How much closer to heaven can you get?
From Maureen Wood

Waking up with the sun shining. A cup of tea and bacon sandwich sat on deck watching the wildlife. Walk along the litter free tow path. Cruise along the canal meeting other likeminded boaters. Evening meal in canalside pub including a glass of local beer. Same again tomorrow.
From John Mullery

An ideal day is a walk along the banks of a canal - Leeds & Liverpool for example looking for examples of past industrial heritage coexisting with wildlife both aquatic and bird in British countryside with a great pub lunch - waterways are a jewel in the British landscape.
From Noel Blundell

A journey down memory lane, watching the horse plodding along the towpath, the boat gliding silently through the water. No sound but the clip-clop of hooves and the noise of the wildlife, undisturbed by sounds of engines. Birds, bees, lizards and even the odd snake. Bliss!
From Susan Martin

My perfect day is to cycle from Froghall to Cheddleton, Cherry Eye Bridge, and of course Trickle Bank. A rest opposite the Black Lion before the most wonderful scenery brings you to Flint Mill always something to enjoy, a visit to the train station, on the way back. Always enjoyed.
From Michael Phipps

The best of the rest

Waking up to call ducks and smelling fresh coffee on a frosty spring morning in the Vale-of-Pewsey. Meander past the Wiltshire White Horse, enjoying all the spring fauna. An afternoon walk with my springer spaniel then inside for cards, full bodied red and artisan cheese from Marlborough market. Bliss!
From Kevin Giles

Blue sky. Breakfast outside. Engine purrs. Drifting along. Bluebells in woodland. A kingfisher! A friendly boater. An audience at the lock. An ice cream. A family of ducks. Ever changing scenery. Tranquillity. New moorings. A glass of wine. A shared smile with my lover on our Nb Adele.
By Sue Knight

Relaxing in the depths of the countryside with friends as the boat chugs along, followed by dinner at one of our favourite canalside pubs...
From Peter Chapman

My ideal day would be walking from Cheddleton to Froghall along the Caldon Canal, Staffordshire, stopping off for lunch at the Black Lion Inn, Consall, deep in the heart of the Churnet Valley. It's a gorgeous stretch of canal with the added interest of the steam railway running alongside.
From Suzanne Goodwin

Early on the cut - a spring, sunny morning where the bird life is plentiful. Set off at a leisurely pace – breakfast on the move, with a large hot mug of tea. Plenty of time to take it all in – the spirits of our heritage seem almost tangible!
From Alan Longhurst

Cruising down the canal, watching the local wildlife as we slowly move along. Chat at the locks with fellow boaters and walkers. Stop if anything of interest crops up along our route. Moor up at a canalside pub for lunch. A relaxing day what more could you ask in life.
From Mrs P Broadfield

To moor at pub that serves breakfast. To moor at pub that serves morning coffee. To moor at pub that serves lunch. To moor at pub that serves afternoon tea. To moor at pub that serves an evening meal.
From Rick Hogger

An ideal day out requires: a smart, well-appointed boat; an interesting stretch of water of right length for planned trip, including locks and preferably a tunnel, aqueduct even; an enthusiastic crew; a good pub well located for lunch; sunny day.
From Adrian Jackson-Robbins

Start with morning coffee at Riverside café near Springfield Park. Then move on along River Lea towards Waltham Abbey, watching birds and breathing deeply. Find a nice place for picnic somewhere in Tottenham Marshes and carry on walking along the river. Pleasantly tired; finish the day with afternoon tea at Philpott’s Tea Rooms in Waltham Abbey enjoying the view over gardens and the church.
From Sergey Shishkin

Setting off early when everything is quiet and the rising sun is casting a lovely light across the canal and the countryside; seeing the wildlife – especially the swallows darting around the boat catching insects as we move slowly along. Then mooring up later and waving to everyone who passes by!
From Ann Fifield

An ideal day on the canal should start with a good breakfast, then cruise for about seven hours, taking in the nature and relaxing in the sun. This should involve doing some locks, an aqueduct or a tunnel and then mooring at a restaurant or pub for the evening. What a perfect day!
From Michael R. Cummins

My turn at the tiller - sunshine would be nice, but not essential. A trip along to Marple then the decision. Left onto miles of peaceful canal to Bosley locks and beyond, right down the Marple flight. Stop for lunch, family arrive, they see our new copy of Britain's Great Waterways Outdoors and plan their next trip on our boat. Relax, refresh, renew. Ready for work again on Monday!
From Debra L Chalmers – Brown

We plan to get out of the rat race and live on a canal boat – so our ideal day would involve mooring beside a pleasant riverbank, a walk in the beautiful garden of England taking the camera and a flask of coffee and packet of biscuits – bliss.
From Anita Dervey

A perfect day along the canal: a gentle breeze through the trees; the scent of flowers in the hedges; a butterfly or two; birds, specially the turquoise flash of a kingfisher and a nice beer garden to rest in at the end of the walk.
From Juliet Wilson

Last updated: 24/03/2011