Barging through

Not sure if I fancy holidaying on our local canals now...
When I was very young we'd holiday on Dad's small cruiser 'Kestrel'. For me it was all cumbersome life jackets, terrifying locks and high sided banks, although I'd love to spot a family of Moorhens, Coots or the occasional Kingfisher. We didn't get very far, turning round only about 15miles away (apparently) to come home again.
I remember falling in and my oldest brother jumping in (to his knees) to fish me out. To this day the wonderful smell of a bonfire takes me back to the towpath and my second brother's attempts at pyromania...

Maybe a French canal holiday?