A family staycation on the Worcestershire canals will float your boat and it's a good workout too

For my first holiday on a narrowboat I had visions of relaxing with a drink in hand or catching up with a good book, gliding past peaceful countryside.

But they were swiftly swept away after a lesson on steering and managing locks.

This mini-break would be more like a workout at a scenic gym, sprinting up towpaths to locks, heaving ropes, turning winches and generally putting my muscles to the test over the next two days.