And the winner is........
Steilsteven with 24 hours
we actually managed it in 3 days. we were going pretty quickly, and as Keith mentions, we used a bike to set the locks up. we didn't have much time so this tactic was well worth it.
lovely trip though!
we did newbury to marlow in one day, from about 8am to 9pm. there was quite a faff at a few locks around aldermaston with a lot of hire boats p1ssing everyone off. and we passed a sweetie boat there but no purchases made as the owners were not the typical sweetshop patrons - well grumpy!
then marlow to pyrford the next day, from 10am to about 9pm. nice trip too. going uphill was quite a change and as OldGoat pointed out, we soon realised the importance of good lines at front and back.
then last night we set off at 6pm and were moored up at our new home at 9pm. so 27 hours or or so total, but we did cain it i admit.
thanks all!