There and Back Again - Regent's Canal

After spending a few days in Paddington Basin opposite the ingenious rolling bridge and was joined by my eldest son at the weekend for Father's Day.  Having been moored in the shade of St Mary's hospital I hadn't realised just how hot it was in the sun and decided to cruise across the Regent's canal to Limehouse Basin.

Rolling Bridge Merchant Square

The first few miles of the canal are the best as it leaves Little Venice and meanders through Regents's Park to Camden.  Both pretty and lock free.

Regents Park

Beyond Camden the canal drops through 12 locks over the remaining 10 miles to Limehouse.  Sadly the visitors moorings along the canal are fully taken by London boaters who just shuffle up and down the canal making it very difficult for visiting boats to moor. 

Leaving Camden Lock

 Limehouse Basin is where the canal meets the tidal Thames and home to a marina.  A quick look at their website showed that mooring my boat there would cost £10,000 per year - supply and demand.

Sunset over Limehouse

After spending Saturday evening at Limehouse we decided to have a short cruise up the Lee Navigation and take a lap around the loop which surrounds the Olympic Park.  The route passes close by the main stadium and the Orbit tower.

Main Stadium - Now home to West Ham

The Orbit

 Steve was a volunteer at the 2012 Olympics and, being an IT expert, worked in the media centre helping ensure the media remained connected to the sports and of course their papers.

The Olympic Media Centre

 Leaving the park and rejoining the Lee at old ford lock we headed upstream a few miles to find a mooring.  Progress was slow due to the covering of weed which tends to get wrapped around the propeller.

Weed on the Lee Navigation

Sunday evening we walked back through the park to the westfield centre for dinner.  After a couple of cooling drinks in The Cow pub we chose the Real Greek restaurant and enjoyed a very pleasant meal.

After spending a couple of nights on the Lee I filled up with diesel and made the return journey to Paddington Basin where I'm currently moored up awaiting the end of the heatwave this morning.  Next I'll make my way back on to the Grand Union and begin the journey north.