The morning started bright but cold although the forecast had been for cloudy all day. Mike wrapped up well before casting off and reversing the 50 metres to Bulls Bridge Junction and then onto the Paddington Arm. It remains level through to our intended mooring so only steering required, no locks.
Sadly the former canal building just after the junction remains in this forlorn condition, no doubt hoping for someone kind to come along and give it the face lift it deserves. Unfortunately the adjacent site is not a huge tarmac plant.
At Willow Tree Park (just as well we did not aim for here last night as there was really no room left) there was a rather pretty clump of flowering daffodils on the bank above the canal. Down in Cornwall, the growers have had to start picking very much earlier than scheduled because of the mild winter weather. They find it hard to persuade the supermarkets to take them this early - just does not fit into their seasonal plans!
Between Engineers Wharf and Ruislip Road Bridge there was a footbridge when we first started compiling our canal Map data. Then, about two years ago, it was demolished and so, after passing this way with nothing happening, we deleted it from the active database. Now, we will have to put it back as a replacement has eventually been constructed.
Despite the cold, there were plenty of people walking the towpath and it was noticeable how friendly everyone was today. At least 91.5% of those we saw exchanged a greeting or a hand wave!
This boat looks like it must be 'a project' . . . How does it get under some bridges or will it only ever shuffle up and down this stretch?
A ramshackle building next to Acton lane Bridge has caught our eye before as it keeps on changing. At one time it was evidently a car repair workshop but, with lots of photos covering the wall, we wondered whether a new future awaits it. The lower part has been better enclosed and the site generally is a bit tidier that at some times when we have been here.
The somewhat unusual building has been under construction for a while - we had thought that we might see it occupied this time but work still seems to be underway.
A few boats were on the move although it was well over an hour before we passed the first one. Although it looks as if there was plenty of room to pass this breasted-up pair, actually just behind the camera is quite narrow and boats were moored along the towpath so we had to slow down to pass in just the right place.
We stopped at the second Sainsburys, at Porta Bella Dock, but the 'shopping' moorings were all occupied - did not look like shoppers - so we had to pull in just before and put pins in.
Before shopping we had some tasty warming soup which Christine had brought from home and then left sandwiches until we returned.
Just after leaving a couple of very fat boats (almost obese!) came the opposite way. The first asked where the water point is - we thought that it was some distance yet - and we concluded that they were not very experienced. Not another couple that have been persuaded that life aboard a canal boat is a great alternative to bricks and mortar? It seems that not a few fall for the dream without doing much research. Unless they had come only a very short distance today, they had passed the main service point not long back at Little Venice.
Oh look - Batman/Spiderman is climbing the fence.
Just before 2:30 we arrived at Little Venice and stopped briefly to empty the elsan before locating our mooring spot. As you can see, tying up firmly is not easy as the rings are hopelessly positioned for most boats (we think we discovered this last time!) but at least it is both quiet and convenient. The one nearest the camera is secured around a tree root.
13.0 Miles - 0 Locks
1 comment:
I don't think the 'project' boat moves at all. It was in that same place when we came by last September!
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