The Journey North

I returned to Olivia on Friday night and left London next morning. Got to Cowley lock, after just a short stop at Greenford. Met Jackie and Phil who are on their way to London Town. They insisted on feeding me even though they had had their meal. Phil made a very nice cheese omelette which was washed down by a nice red wine. We caught up on all the towpath gossip :~). Today I took it easy only getting as far as Harefield. Looking at the next couple of days weather forecast, maybe I should have pushed myself more today. No worries. I'll just take a bit longer if the weather turns bad. Made myself a nice pasta with mushrooms and mussels. Yum.

Back to work

Had to train & bus back to Northants in order to go into work and sort out results for tomorrow's exam board. Hundreds of emails even though I have been checking them fairly regularly.

The Hyde Park concert was absolutely fabulous, not least because of the great weather. Big black clouds did gang up on us but we only had a short shower which didn't dampen any spirits. What a line-up: Pretenders, Seasick Steve, Ben Harper, Fleet Foxes and the man himself, joined for the encore by Sir Paul McCartney. Really nice atmosphere all day.

The following days, I went over to the East End; to the portrait gallery and the the RA Summer Exhibition. Looking forward to the return journey and just sad I can't stay longer.

Where does time go?

The last 4 days have flown. Here's a quick synopsis:

Tuesday
Walked down Portobello Road. One of the street pianos was getting some good use. What a lovely atmosphere. Everyone laughing and having fun. How talented people are. All sorts of people having a little go - we had classical, blues, chopsticks. I'll go back before I start back for home. Met Luke and we went for supper at The Crypt at St Martins. Healthy veggie option for both of us.

Wednesday
Took bus to Limehouse and walked along the canal (can't leave it alone!). Called in at the Ragged School Museum - small but good to see it. Had lunch in Broadway Market, London Fields - part of London I had never been to. As time was getting on I went to meet Luke out of school. I am not joking, I was waiting for him to come out of school (the sixth form college where he works) and it was just like 30 years ago!!!!! We were going to go to a gig in Leytonstone but it was going to be a nightmare of a journey - 3 buses - to travel about 2 miles. So we went for a meal at Stoke newington. We went to a vegetarian Kerala "Indian". The food was superb, so different from the norm. Well done, Luke's friend, Olivia, for the recommendation.

Thursday
Having seen what Luke has done to his boat yesterday (new paint job), I stayed home and started sanding and priming Olivia. She's like the Forth Bridge though - will I ever finish it?

Friday
Cruised to Little Venice and back to use their boat facilities. Then did a bit more sanding, etc. Neil Young tomorrow. Should be a lovely day.

Summer in the City

Walked down to Paddington this morning. It's a half hour stroll. Then over to Courtaulds gallery as they have an exhibition on the Bloomsbury Group. It was quite a small exhibition but, luckily, I'm a member of the Art Fund and don't have to pay admission! Browsed the bookshops of Charing X Road which took me back to the Sixties. I'm glad some things don't change. Met Pat for afternoon tea at Browns. It was okay but not as good as their meals. if you are going to do tea I think you really have to go to the Dorchester or equivalent. Anyway it's all very nice. Am loving the weather (albeit humid). Meeting Luke tonight. Don't know whether we will find a gig to go to or just chill out.

Moored in the metropolis

Left Uxbridge before 9am and motored down to meet Pat at Hayes. An hour later I was off to meet Rose at Greenford with a tentative arrangement to meet Tom somewhere along the route. In the end Tom also made it to Greenford and we had a quick meal before starting out. Coming into London by the back door is so different and so much nicer. No traffic jams. Rose took delight in taking a photograph of all those poor snarled up drivers on the North Circular while we cruised quietly over the aquaduct. Moored up and the first "significant" event was when Rose says "Did you see who that was?" as a jogger passed. It was David Cameron. A flotilla of boats moored behind me partied into the early hours. I wouldn't mind but it was that electronica music, where you are waiting for the next missed beat and are lucky not to have a heart attack! On Sunday morning I had a quick walk around Kensal Green cemetery which is huge. Didn't spot any famous names but some of the memorial stones are spectacular. Then I hopped on a passing bus to meet up with Tom. We went to 2 free music events: One Taste at Kensington Gardens which was very chilled; good sound system. Then to Leicester Square to catch a couple of blues bands who were finishing off West End Live. Humid today. (Mustn't complain though). We went for a very nice curry near Covent Garden then I hopped on a bus back.

South of Watford

I have reached Uxbridge. I know that I am back in the metropolis because we are now having hourly police/ambulance sirens. I got back to Olivia via public transport - bus, train, tube, walk. The weakest link was my home town of Thrapston with its two-hourly bus which meant I had to hang around Kettering for almost 2 hours! Couldn't even shop as I had 2 big bags with me.Have done 10 locks and 9 miles today BUT only one more lock all the way into town. The promised breeze was not too bad at all, although I had a short walk and when I got back, Olivia was broadside across the cut, as her pin had pulled out and the wind had caught her bow. Better the bow than the stern as it meant I could hop on, get the centre rope and pull her back. While I was so doing, a gallant gentleman stopped to help me. Thank you.
If any of my "followers" - that's all 3 of you - can be at Greenford tomorrow (Saturday) about 3pm, we can have a nice little cruise into London. It's a brilliant way to arrive - through the back door.

End of Phase 1

I have moored up at Watford and returned home to finish some marking! Pat came out to help but we only did a very short trip as I needed to find somewhere decent to moor for a period of time and preferred not to be on mooring pins, as boats passing too fast easily pull them out leaving the boat drifting aimlessly mid-canal. Hopefully I will be back in a week or so to take Olivia into London. I have some Annual Leave coming up so should be able to stay for a fortnight without travelling back and forth.