We have just spent a wonderful week on Angus Brown’s super barge ‘Larkspur’ on the Kennet and Avon canal. The weather was perfect, the canal very beautiful, and the Larkspur super-comfortable, easy to manage and in perfect condition. On arrival in Bathampton, we were met by Angus, who then showed us the ‘ropes’ and travelled with us for 2 hours towards Bath, only leaving us when he was satisfied that we were reasonably proficient with the boat and the locks. Initially there were 4 of us, but after 2 days our daughter and son-in-law had to return to work in Bath, and the two old folks (70 and 69 respectively) were left to continue on our own. No worries Mate, we handled everything just fine. The canal was pretty busy and we found the other bargers so friendly and helpful. We travelled east to the bottom of the Caen locks, then turned round and came back to our starting point at Bathampton. The Larkspur is a wide-beam boat which does require a little bit more care in manoeuvring, but is easily compensated for by the spacious and very comfortable accommodation. Everything that we needed was available on board, and we ate at the canal-side pubs and coffee shops along the way. Angus was in regular contact by phone to make sure that everything was running smoothly. All in all, we would thoroughly recommend Bloomsbury Boats (Angus) as well as the Kennet and Avon canal for a memorable holiday. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★