Willowtree to HLY to Islington

At last, our three week cruise could begin. We spent the previous night at my parents' in Shenfield, then drove to Willowtree Marina, arriving, as predicted, before 1030. No sign of Alan, whose boat Willow we were borrowing. So we went to Tesco, five minutes' walk away, and bought bread, wine and trainers. Back to the marina. Still no sign of Alan. So I sent him a text message, to which he responded by phoning me to tell me I was in the wrong place. Oops! I should have gone to High Line Yachting, a little further along the Paddington Branch. A few minutes later and we met up at last. We loaded up, Alan walked to the tube station, and we set off at 1245. We had done the Paddington Branch before, but more than 25 years ago, so I couldn't remember anything.

One highlight of the first day was crossing the A406 North Circular Road on an aqueduct. We'd driven under it earlier that morning, but without realising.



On the approach to Little Venice we were looking out for No Direction, whose crew Ray and Jayne had told us they'd be there. And they were, so we stopped for a welcome cup of tea and a chat. We'll be seeing them again on Friday at the St. Pancras Cruising Club preliminaries before the Thames jaunts. I didn't think to take a photo until we'd set off again.


No Direction is the green boat on the left

We carried on to the end of the Paddington Branch, well, as far as we could, and then returned to Little Venice and turned onto the Regents Canal. One thing I did remember from a quarter of a century ago was going through London Zoo, and past the aviary in particular.


After the gongoozlers' paradise which is Camden Locks (another post, another time) we entered Islington Tunnel.


Just the other side we tied up alongside Little Elf, whose Sophie and Will made us very welcome. After eating on board we walked to the Indian Queen pub in Noel Road, where Simon of Tortoise joined us for a drink. I have to confess we seemed to talk mainly about work - he is employed by the same company as me.

And then back to the boat and bed.