Boat Blog: The London Ring Day 2

Rewind to Sunday 1st September

Paddington to Limehouse

This boater’s dog took great offence at the immobile but very realistic statues in Paddington – had to laugh, first it looked, then it sniffed, then it barked like mad….

Having done most of the hard work yesterday, we had a most leisurely start this morning. While the adults and hounds got up and about, Alfie stayed comfortably ensconced in his sleeping bag which was then swathed in duvets and pillows as we dismantled the guest bed and reinstated the sofa. Alfie made like a greyhound and built himself a nest – it seemed unlikely that he’d ever leave it, despite the fact that he was being trampled by hounds coming in and out of the boat!

Steve, in the meantime, sat peaceably on the wharf and whittled a piece of wood – I’d ever realised that it was his hobby. As it happened, he was whittling me a little spoon which seemed to have just been hidden in the wood waiting for his knife. This was the first of two very special gifts that we were to receive, but more on that later….

While Steve was whittling, Richard was chatting to our neighbours on nb Maid of the Mist, who was putting forward to idea of “waterways ambassadors” – his enthusiasm was commendable, but there in the sunshine of a lazy Sunday morning I couldn’t match it and let my thoughts drift….

We set off mid-morning and bimbled down to Camden – it was deserted by Camden standards – we were surprised, it’s normally heaving on Sunday mornings. Maybe everyone was at the Angel Canal Festival – that was in full swing when we passed through! We were pleased because it added a bit of colour to Alfie’s trip. We didn’t stop at Angel – the moorings were jam-packed with many familiar boats all adding to the wonderful waterways tapestry being woven.

Alfie’s collage – with Ollie in his red collar and Henry with his white face – however Herbie was never allowed on the roof!

As we moved away into the quiet beyond the festival we saw fuel boat “Archimedes” coming our way – we flagged him down for some diesel, but rather than pull over to the towpath, he did us (effortlessly) an “inflight refuelling” in the middle of the canal – great stuff!

The trip had already been memorable, but we thought we’d top if off with a trip down the Hertfordshire Union past the Olympic Park, the Crossrail works and Bow Locks…..

All too soon we were back in Limehouse after a magical weekend’s cruising – and at a pace more normal to the Indigo Dream (no, I don’t mean speeding, more the day length/effort).

We said “goodbye” to our guests with some regrets – they’d been the most charming company imaginable. This was reinforced a few days later when Alfie gave me a collage he’d put together featuring Indigo Dream and the three greyhounds, including Henry and his white face – it’s a treasure.

Then I said “goodbye” to Richard – I’d be staying on board with the hounds as I was off to Suffolk in the morning to complete the dog swap – Henry and Herbie would be going home for a few weeks and Ty, at long last, would be coming home 🙂

Photoblog:

Herbie getting himself into the sort of greyhound tangle that makes us want an onboard vet!

Paddington basin had a thick coating of duckweed when we arrived yesterday – it had retreated a little by morning…

Regent’s Park always looks so good – shame about the graffiti though…

This Victorian gas holder near St Pancreas is being rebuilt (how many have been dismantled as a blot on the landscape?)…

Here’s the signboard – that explains the gasholder project – the whole canalside are is being regenerated hereabouts..

More regeneration – nearer to Kings Cross this time….

The Angels of the canal festival 🙂

Bit of local colour at the canal festival…

Time for a snack? Alfie earned his bread on this trip 🙂