Bank Holiday Monday, but as it was a Monday still had to do the engine checks, including the weed hatch, the canal water is surprisingly clear, you can see the propeller.
It is quiet on the canal in terms of boats moving, but there are loads of moored boats, of all Types – narrowboats, wide beam, house boats and cruisers
Sizes – Tiny narrowboats (6ft !!! – was moored against a normal narrowboat, it looked like a dog kennel) to huge house boats the size of portacabin on floats.
States of repair/dis-repair – from new & pristine, currently being painted, to gutted, covered in a tarpaulin or sunk.
A short day on Tuesday, only 3 miles and 4 locks, we were managing our time to meet friends in Uxbridge on Thursday and Friday, before heading to Little Venice in London for Saturday and Sunday nights.
By Wednesday lunch we had arrived in Uxbridge and started looking for a mooring, but there were boats everywhere, so we had to keep going, so we arrived at the Pub for Thursday’s lunch booking 24 hours early, and we were extremely lucky to get a mooring really close. Unfortunately, our friends had realised that they would be unable to meet us on Thursday, something called “work” was getting in the way. So, we had a good lunch 24 hours early! (Sorry guys – you missed a good meal).
Thursday, we didn’t move the boat, but explored Uxbridge on foot, found the Crown and Treaty pub, which hosted unsuccessful talks between both side in the English Civil War (not quite sure why it includes ‘Treaty” in its name as no Treaty was reached).
Friday, again we did not move the boat, and went to the cinema to see “Free Guy” which we enjoyed. Then Friday evening we were joined on aboard by friends.
Saturday, we cruised the 17 miles to Little Venice in central London, which took 7 hrs, lots of moored boats, which slows progress, but a really enjoyable cruise, we were expecting a bit of a wasteland, but were pleasantly surprised by the cruise. We had moorings booked at Rembrandt Gardens South, and have only just realised that there is only one mooring for Rembrandt Gardens South and one for North. We initially thought there were a few moorings so we were lucky to get it booked. Due to holiday complications family members were not able to meet us as planned at 4pm in Little Venice, but we did make it with 10 mins to spare.
Headed out with Friends for pizza, before heading back to the boat for a surprisingly quiet night, given that this is central London, and the close proximity of the local Fire Station, however the geese do wake up early!
Sunday, met more friends for lunch in The Harwood Arms, so we walked the nearly 3 miles to Fulham, via Kensington Gardens. A really good meal – roast game to share! the Slow Roast Roe Deer shoulder was stunning. Then walked back via the Kings Road, another good long walk after a rich lunch.
Spent the evening sitting on the Boat watching the world go by, a few canal boats, loads of little self-drive day boats rented from the Paddington Arm.
| This Week | Total | |
| Locks | 19 | 551 |
| Miles Cruised (approx.) | 30 | 708 |
Travurple 