Wednesday 26th July. We got up at 6am as we wanted to set off early in an attempt to beat the rain which was forecast for late morning. At the moment it was a beautiful morning.
Soon we were back to Little Venice. We turned right here onto Regent's canal.
We soon arrived at the entrance to Maida Hill Tunnel. This was a short one, only 272 yards.
After this we pass by Regents park.
Then we passed alongside the Regent's park zoo. You can just make out a hyena.
This sign was a bit concerning, it said "Do not moor when beacon flashing, animal escape procedure in operation!" As they had bothered to erect a sign did that mean this was a regular occurrence??!!
On through St John's Wood towards Primrose Hill.
This boat had a checkered roof, very smart!
Typically in London you see the extremes of wealth and poverty side by side. Million pound houses and then under the bridge are tents with homeless people. All very sad.
We carry on through Camden.
Soon we reach Camden Lock. No signs and no place to fit a narrowboat! There are 2 locks and we have no idea which one to take.
John manages to pull into the side and I hold the rope whilst he goes to check things out.
Camden market is just setting up for the day.
John discovers a notice on the right hand lock and realises it is padlocked. It leaks badly so we need to use the left hand lock. I go and set the lock whilst he goes back to the boat.
There are a few more locks after this one and the next 2 have weirs right next to them with only a small sign preventing you from going over the top!
After this the rain sets in heavily so I didn't get chance to take any more photos until we arrive at Victoria Park. We will be travelling this section of canal on our way back so hope to get some photos in sunshine then! This is our mooring spot below, it is on the Hertford canal, just past the official Victoria Park visitor moorings which were full of liveaboarders who looked like they hadn't moved for ages. So frustrating when these moorings are supposed to be for short term visits. Anyway thanks to the kind help from the man on board the boat in front we squeezed into this space.
It was right next to Victoria Park so great for Dex's walk!
We could see the Shard and Gherkin in the distance.
