Katy and Daniel’s Canal Holiday – Part 2
Illustration © 2023 Susan Fleming
That night they moor the narrowboat in a cutting. Just as it is getting dark Mummy looks out of a window and then whispers to Katy, Daniel and Daddy to keep quiet and look out of the window. They see a fox on the bank. They keep very still and another fox comes. Then three baby foxes join them. The baby foxes play. They tumble down the bank, then scramble up and tumble down again.
“I love the baby foxes,” whispers Katy. After they have gone Mummy says, “What a treat! Now it really is time for bed.”
The next morning, Daddy says to Katy and Daniel, “Why don’t you walk along the towpath with Vic. He needs the exercise.”
So Katy, Daniel and Vic start to walk on the towpath and the narrowboat goes along beside them. That is the plan, but Vic has his own ideas. He thinks he is being left behind, so he jumps into the water and swims towards the narrowboat. Daddy stops the engine and hauls Vic onboard. Vic then shakes himself all over Mummy and Daddy, who get rather wet. Vic licks them both and wags his tail, which is his way of saying, “Aren’t I clever, I found you!” They all laugh.
Next they stop for lunch. They put down the gangplank, which is a flat piece of wood so that they can walk from the narrowboat to the bank. The gangplank is wet and Daddy slips and falls into the canal. Luckily the canal is not very deep just here and Daddy ends up sitting on the bottom of the canal with his head and knees above the water. It looks just as if he is taking a bath. They all laugh - except Daddy. Poor Daddy! He soon changes into dry clothes and is happy again.
“Daddy and Vic have been in the canal. I do not want anyone else going into the water,” says Mummy.
Later that day they arrive at a large city and the canal goes right into the city centre. They moor their boat and explore the city. Daddy is very pleased because he says he has parked in the city centre and does not have to pay for parking.
That night they go to sleep early because they are all tired. Tomorrow they start their return journey.
“Just think,” says Katy sleepily, “more lovely adventures to enjoy again on the way home.” Then she falls happily asleep.