1. what a beautiful wide beam – and presented perfectly on handover – clean from stem to stern
2. great coaching from Angus – even beginners would soon get the hang of handling Larkspur
3. lovely accommodation with little expense spared, from White Company towels to the wood-burner (which fortuitously, we didn’t have to use!)
4. incredibly appointed bathroom with full size shower and twin basins with sumptuous tiling throughout
5. amazingly kitted out kitchen – if you want to eat on the boat rather than at a canal-side eatery, you could prepare a gastronomic delight in the beautifully finished kitchen; also small touches like including washing up liquid, cling film and kitchen foil lifted the experience for us
6. very simple controls from the inverter to the hot water boost – and all very clearly labelled for ease; permanently visible battery health indicator LED a masterstroke
7. we enjoyed that Larkspur didn’t have ‘rental’ written all over her – the admiring comments from walkers, other boaters and other renters were manifest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★