The Regent's Canal and the Islington Tunnel

 2nd May 2021

I was on the final journey of my voyage through the London Waterways, from Paddington to the Limehouse Basin, along the Regent's Canal. I did this journey with the CASPA runners on the towpath.

Map showing the Regent's Canal - Print from the British Museum

This canal was built in the early 19th Century by the architect John Nash using his connections with the Prince Regent to support the project, hence the name.

The Prince Regent, later George IV

The CASPA runners took some photographs. I had on board my Honda 2.3 outboard, needed to get through the Islington Tunnel. A special frame was made for the outboard, ready just in time for this voyage.

The Regent's Canal winds around Regent's Park, including the Zoo. A disused aviary was on my left, and I saw glimpses of African Hunting dogs in enclosures to my right.

As we approached Camden someone was being creative with spray paints on a wall.

There followed three locks around Camden, the first being the Hampstead Road Lock. 

A controversy ensued as a bystander told the lock keeper that PicoMicroYacht should not be going through the locks. The lock keeper disagreed. The CASPA runners and a cyclist chatted to him and explained what we were doing.

Around these parts an architect had come up with a creative adaption of the Gasometer

Having passed through the locks I spied the Word on the Water Bookshop, part of the practical quirkiness of this part of London. 

The next major landmark was the Islington Tunnel, stretching 878 metres under Pentonville. The CASPA runners were above me, visiting a street cafe.

 Salutary to think that this canal was tunnelled by hand.

A notice by the entrance to the Canal reminded me of the rules.

I started the outboard and donned my boat lights and set off.  I found my front light was not enough to illuminate the walls and struggled to use the small dot of light in the distance as a reference point.

Trying to photograph the light at the end of the tunnel

After the tunnel, I motored on a few yards and then lifted the engine, returning to rowing for the remaining four miles to the Limehouse basin.

I had completed my voyage through the Waterways of London. 

Postscript: PicoMicroYacht stayed the night in the Limehouse Basin and the next day went through the lock into the River Thames to a slipway just downstream on the Isle of Dogs. The weather was just about to deteriorate, with gale force winds, so I had just made it in time.

To the heart of London by Canal

1st May 2021

It was time to go into the heart of London via the Paddington Branch of the Grand Union Canal, a 15 mile trip.

Entering through an arched bridge, tranquil waters awaited.

The canal was brimming with wildlife, including the coots with their young, and majestic herons.

Bee keepers have hives facing the canal.

Contrasting with the tranquility of the canal at one point I went over the North Circular Road on a viaduct, filming it briefly.

I realised that an Ultra running event was scheduled along the same route. I was being overtaken by the runners, on their 43 mile course from the Chilterns to Paddington. 

Refreshment points and first aiders were frequent.

Nearing the Paddington, local eccentrity created interest.

At one point, the M4 dominated the canal.

 Little Venice appeared and my destination was just round the corner. 

I was able to park PicoMicroYacht just round the corner from Paddington Station.