Each of these started life as a doodle in the margin of a mooring timetable and finished as something our crew bickers about over sandwiches. Two want a steady hand, two want a quiet head, and two sit happily in the middle. Have a look at the cards and the feel profile, then cast off.
Hal’s favourite01Nine holes climb a flight of locks, from the bottom chamber to the basin at the top. Drag back from the ball to aim and set power, then release and watch it roll, bank off brick walls and bumpers, slow in sand and splash back from the water. Every hole has a par and the scorecard keeps count.
Deepest think02Slide the whole board and let matching cargo meet. A sprig of water mint becomes a kingcup, then a jar of blackberries, and up the ladder goes through ladles, lanterns, windlasses and a butty boat to the gleaming tiller badge. A strip under the board lights each rung you reach, and one Undo rescues a bad swipe.
Daily habit03Twelve themed packs drawn from canal life, from lock keeping and ropes to hedgerow fruit and the village fete. Each grid hides its words in any of eight directions. Drag across the letters, or tap the first and last, and keep three hints in reserve. A daily pack changes every day, and stars reward a swift finish.
Brightest colours04Painted roses, castle panels, lanterns and ladles crowd the top of the board. Aim the launcher, bank shots off the side walls and land each piece beside two or more of its twins to pop them. Anything left dangling falls away, and every few shots the ceiling creeps lower, so clean shooting pays.
Quickest go05Steer a towrope round the grid as it grows longer with every bite. Blackberry jars are worth one point, sprigs of water mint two, and golden kingcups a lovely five. Classic mode ends the run at the walls; Garden mode lets you slip off one edge and back on the other, with mileposts in the way.
Slow and soothing06Eight painted scenes, from a rose-decorated cabin and a brick lock to a punt below the spires and a hedge maze at golden hour, are cut into tiles and shuffled. Slide them back one by one on a 3x3, 4x4 or 5x5 grid. A move counter and timer run, Peek shows the full picture, and stars reward a thrifty finish.
