Four weeks

In four week's time, we'll be heading out on Debdale. Not that we're counting down the days or anything. It'll be a day of firsts: the first trip from Norbury Junction; the first time boating on the Shroppie; the first time having three weeks on board. There'll be lots more firsts too, as our planned route will be mostly new territory for us. It may still be four weeks away, but at least by then they should have fixed the leak at the Shebdon embankment.

Braunston

A visit to another familiar place today for a boat test: Braunston. At first, it was very cloudy, but by lunch time there were patches of blue sky and before long the sun was out and the temperature was rising. Braunston was its usual busy self, which is one of the reasons I always enjoy going there. At one stage there were six boats waiting to go up the locks, and there was a constant procession of downhill boats too. Braunston Turn had its fair share of boats in all directions, and using the Y shape to turn around. A thoroughly enjoyable day, which ended with an ice cream from the shop at the bottom lock.

The Silver Kroner on test

The September issue of Canal Boat is out, and contains my test of The Silver Kroner, a remarkable boat from Navigation Narrowboats with a huge glass sliding roof.

Familiar waters

A trip along a very familar piece of canal yesterday, between Stockton Top and Calcutt, for a boat test. Fortunately, the rain stayed off until we'd done enough photos, so we only got wet on the way back. half an hour later, the sun was out again.

Thames

I'm working in W1 today rather than the more usual W12. As I got to London early, I had my lunch on the South Bank, then walked across the Golden Jubilee Bridge across the river. I do this quite regularly, but have never been there at the right moment to see a narrowboat. But there was plenty of other boat traffic, many of them making a significant wash.

Which is it?

"Free: fire wood or restoration project. New owner collects."

Braunston, July 2009

Little Venice

Our walk on Sunday ended at Little Venice. We watched one of the waterbusses coming through the tunnel under Cafe LaVille, and then along to the pool. We stopped at the floating cafe for tea and carrot cake, before heading down the Paddington Arm to Paddington Station, the Hammersmith and City Line, and back to work, where the car was parked.

Camden

Camden was relatively quiet when we walked through on Sunday morning, as it was only about 10.30. I always enjoy looking out for the former TV-am building, with egg cups on top.

St Pancras Lock

Back in January, after visiting the Boat Show at Excel, we walked the Regent's Canal from Limehouse to King's Cross. This weekend, we've had another couple of days in London (mainly to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which was spectacular), so thought we'd better walk the rest. So this morning we started by walking the mile or so from our hotel to King's Place. President and Kildare are at the London Canal Museum at the moment, and we could see the smoke from the far side of the canal. Setting off west, the first lock we came to was St Pancras. Just beyond is the St Pancras Cruising Club, with its moorings, looked over by the St Pancras Water Tower.