Pancake Day always falls on a Tuesday and is commonly known as Shrove Tuesday.

Traditionally Christians would go to church to confess their sins and and this was known as Shriven or Shrive.

Over time this has been shortened to Shrove and is why Pancake Day has become known as Shrove Tuesday.

Shrove Tuesday is the Christian celebration of Lent and is where something is given up for 40 days.

It was during Lent people would fast so the day before households would use up food items in the home such as sugar, butter, milk and eggs.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter which is always a period of forty days.

Towns and villages throughout the UK hold pancake races they even hold a parliament Pancake Day Race which takes place between various party Members of Parliament of the House of Commons.

The participants race across Victoria Tower Gardens, opposite the Houses of Parliament, and the race is sponsored by British Lion Eggs and proceeds goes to the charity Rehab.

Star performers in the 2011 race will be Lord Addington and Steven Pound this year race will be started by ITV News at Tens Julie Etchingham.

A Canal Boat Holiday is always cause for a celebration and you do not need an excuse of a festival or celebration to take one.

No matter what time of year you book a Canal Boat Holiday is sure to be a flippin' good holiday.