Into the depths of London

Our mooring in Cowley was for 14 days without charge but after the one night we were keen to get into the thick of London.

I picked up some provisions from the local high street which was delightful - already I noticed the diversity of cuisine in the variety of ingredients in the smallest of shops. With our preparations on the hatch, horn, map, camera and tea...

we pulled out the mooring pins (like giant tent pegs) and set off for the last lock. Just before we used the facilities - rubbish bins, water and Leigh went into a canalside cafe to order a quick sarnie. They dropped it out to him as we were leaving.

We were in and out with Leigh working the heavy gates and me on the tiller and the sun was gleaming down.

I was glad to see the back of the locks! We were now on the look out for landmarks... was that Wembley Stadium?

We passed this most delightful boat...

with along the side, black 'lee' boards as noted by Andy's comment.

A mile along the way we reached Packet Boat Marina and the Slough Arm. Our guide book noted that this waterway of the GUC is badly silted and in a decrepit state. By the sounds of it, it doesn't get well used and you can get stuck, running aground. We carried on our way to the Paddington Arm.

We stopped at bridge 200 - Station Road bridge as there is a laundrette just round the corner from the canal.

I spotted a crazy Coot - one of the many birds that live on the canals. Their sounds are quite alarming! Particularly when the are warring.

Back on board, and with the engine going we were very close to Bulls Bridge Junction and the Paddington Arm...

The broken side of the sign is Braunston.

Leigh did an excellent manouver of a 90degree turn to get onto the arm. With a blow of the horn we warned any other boats coming through.

We were invited to our friends mooring at Northolt and popped over to see them.

We left their place early in the morning and the trip was lovely as the dew was glimmering, there was a fresh bite to the air and the canal was ours!

We passed through Perivale Wood (a lovely wooded stretch with Eucalyptus trees and green parrots!), Alperton, Park Royal and Acton, Wormwood Scrubs and into Kensal Green...

We began seeing some London views....

We passed through Little Venice, which is just that, little - not what I was expecting. And round the corner we were into Paddington Basin. We moored opposite this...

A beautifully engineered bridge that curls up like a scorpion tail forming a carefully closed octagon.

Paddington Basin is modern, majestic and full of busy office workers. The jetty is illuminated at night, it almost feels like a marina. There are no facilities here and the mooring is for 7 days only. It is perfectly situated close to the station, tubes and bus routes so it's easy to get around.

We had some lovely family visit us yesterday and we got to show off our brilliant home in the big smoke.

Today we walked to Hyde park and hired the 'Boris Bikes' for the afternoon to explore the park. It was so much fun!

Tomorrow I've got a job interview, so fingers crossed I'll get that. And by the sounds of it, we are staying put in London for winter (getting to Birmingham's out the window) so there will be more from us about life afloat in the smoke.