Hemel Hempstead to Victoria Park, London

On Monday morning we resumed our journey towards London.  Brent III was travelling faster than the commuters in a mandatory traffic jam on the M25.

Sailing under standing traffic on the M25

The canal took us into Cassiobury Park, near Watford, where we moored up surrounded by woods and walks.  Nearby a rare breeds centre was home to flamingos, pelicans and other water birds; the next morning the dawn chorus was more raucous than usual.  After our first lock of the day we sailed under a pale blue London Underground railway bridge.  

The London Underground which is on the surface at Watford.

We sailed on into the quiet Colne Valley and from there into Uxbridge.  On Thursday we had only 1 lock to come down, the last of 52 locks since Marsworth.  Shortly after the lock we spotted a Tesco so called in for a big shop not knowing where the next supermarket would be, 5 minutes further on as it happened.  The canal was very quiet as we headed east with no-one else on the move and hardly any boats moored up until we reached Bulls Bridge Junction where we stopped for the day, opposite another supermarket.  

The next day we took the Paddington Arm heading north, initially through Southall and Northolt before emerging into an open area at Horsenden Hill.  Here we saw a green woodpecker, a turtle on a tree root and plenty of coots busy nest building and sitting on eggs. Before long we were back among the suburbs; Perivale, Alperton and then over the North Circular Aqueduct.  

Brent III apparently sailing herself over the aqueduct because Kev has ducked out of sight

In places there are long lines of moored boats along the canal so when we spotted an isolated spot near Kensal Green we moored up for the day.  At Willesden Junction I purchased an oyster card for travelling on London Transport, in my case the tube, and took my first trip into London emerging at Charing Cross for Trafalgar Square.  

Trafalgar Square from the balcony of the National Gallery, the weather could have been better.

On Saturday we decided to move further on as there were more visitor moorings ahead.  As we passed long lines of boats moored two abreast we realised our chances of finding a space were slim.  Little Venice is a canal junction and a renowned area with stately buildings overlooking the waterway.  Sadly the moored boats didn't compliment their setting.  From the junction we took the Regency Canal which took us under the short Maida Hill Tunnel.  

Leaving the Maida Hill Tunnel

The canal then wound round Regents Park and passed London Zoo but apart from the birds in the aviary we didn't see any animals.  Turning towards Camden we saw an unusual boat which is a chinese restaurant.  

The floating chinese restaurant

At Camden we had 3 locks and a small audience gathered with their cameras.  Bess sat proudly on the roof and as always attracted some attention.  After descending St Pancras lock we faced the 960 yard Islington Tunnel which is only big enough for one-way traffic.  Luckily no-one was coming in the opposite direction.  We continued east and the line of moored boats seemed continuous but it was interesting to see the various styles of buildings lining the canal.  Kev spotted one building which was constructed from shipping containers.    The towpath was busy with walkers and a lot of joggers. 

A shipping container building

Then we spotted a free mooring conveniently next to the large green open space of Victoria Park, for us the best mooring in town.  A London overground station, connecting to the tube network, wasn't far away and I enjoyed using the tube knowing I would never be far from a station.  Kev, however, was not impressed when we went to Camden Market which disappointingly was mainly a tourist market selling souvenirs,  a variety of fancy goods and clothes and although there was a mouth watering selection of takeaway food.  Market stalls were crammed into every available space and it was interesting to see them in the old stables and under the railway arches.  

Back at the mooring we found it was very quiet even though we were surrounded by other boats, with mooring space in such short supply we were very lucky to find the space.  

Our journey from Hemel Hempstead to Victoria Park, London