The other week, my car was in for a service, I had to walk back into the centre of town 3 miles down the towpath in order to get the bus home, then try and get back into town to pick up the motor prior to 6pm. A logistical nightmare you might assume, but what a way to get into town avoiding all the traffic and zebra crossings, plenty of cyclists which you have to be on your guard to avoid colliding and being dumped into the canal, I’d suggest the cyclist would head waterwards. Listening to Talk Talk’s the Spirit of Eden is a brilliant distractor and with the sun glistening off the wind fluttered ripples it was a perfect way to enjoy the morning.

My advice to all towns: Get a canal, and towpaths and walk into and from town, its glorious amble.