Plodding to Paddington.

By 0630 two boats had gone past us heading south so we roused our selves and got up early. Most people it seems moor the night before getting to London at Cowley Peachy, after the last lock. They then set off about 0630 and this means that they get to central London about 1200 to 1300 giving them a good chance of a mooring. Despite getting up early it was almost 0900 before we set off. We were going to fill up with water at the lock but there was a hire boat on it. Actually there was a boat on eack one we passed so it was a good job we didn't need any for a few days. The run down to Bulls Bridge Junction was mainly done at tick over due to the many moored boats but afterwards there was long straight stretches with deep water and no boats so we could crack on.

Entering the Paddington Arm under Bulls Bridge.

The trip to Alperton was through much green park and golf course and was a world away from the great conurbation. How ever after Alperton and until Around Kensal Green Moorings I have never seen a more dirty and disgusting canal tow path. We even watched a 'lady' of about 70 throwing two or three carrier bags of rubbish into the canal in front of us and a few others on the two path. Mind you the others had a pile of cans at their feet and one in each hand!

Just after crossing the River Bent we crossed the North Circular where the canal is divided by an island with the coat of arms on it. I think that this is the Essex Coat of Arms.

There were moorings free along the way and there were even some that we would have stopped it if push came to shove. Kensal Green looked fine with the Cemetery on the off side and the railway sidings on the other.

Kensal Visitor moorings with the gas works standing watch.

After Kensal Green the housing closed in towards the canal and there was a variety of housing to see. As is also said, often, London has a great area of green space.

This is a new definition of back to back housing, the road at the front and the canal at the back. You know you are in London with the colour of the bricks from the London Brick Company clay colour.

I love this wall painting and I hope that it remains for a long time. Painted on the wall of what was the Grand Union pub and now is the Union.

I dunno, you wait for a bus for ages then six come at once.  All old Routemaster buses. It is a good job I don'r want to go the Albert Hall, Pall Mall or Hyde Park Corner today.

 At Westbourne Park the West way almost shades the canal. To me it looks like a Zeppelin has come in to land on top of us, and remind me of being on the BCN too.

This is a mural made from litter collected by Stowe Youth Club with the help of artist Kevin Herlihy.

Soon we were at Little Venice and there was definitely no moorings available here. Due to it being working time and the weather not too good the usual throng of people were not crowded on the tow path. Mind you the trip boat was still doing a good trade. Maybe to get out of the wind.

I love this building overlooking the junction of the Paddington Arm and the Regents Canal. I bet it is worth a bob or two.

We turned down the cut to the Paddington Basin and there were no moorings available at the start. We had our fingers crossed as we turned the corner, and loo and behold there were four or five spaces left at 1500. About 45 minutes after we had moored a boat with another tied alongside came down the arm. We had passed him just after Old Oak Common. The basin is a bit of a wind tunnel between the buildings and with him having the weight of two boats he got blown down the arm when he attempted to turn. He got caught across the boom separating off the far end for building work. He parted that and with a little help he got round and then decided to moor in the gap astern of us. We got him in but really it was a two man job and he was lucky he didn't do any damage.

Our berth in Paddington Basin. Not much sun tonight and the wind is a cool blast at the moment.

By 1800 all the berths were taken up and it had started to drizzle. We are going to have a wander about later and find a bit of culture, or maybe a London Pub.