Thursday, May 21, 2009

Along the Regents Canal

One of the things we did on our trip to England was a narrow boat ride on the Regents Canal through London. This canal grows out of the Grand Union Canal that comes down from Nottingham and is one of the most traveled in Great Britain.
The trip started in an area of the city called Little Venice. The canal widens to a watery basin here and several boat companies offer tours down the canal that winds along, the back of Regents Park Zoo and eventually ends up at Camden Lock.

It was fascinating to see the different boats moored alongside the towpaths. Getting a berth here is a lucky chance. Many of the boats have been lovingly restored and provide year long lodging for their proud owners.

It was strange to be on the water, basking in the rural feeling and quiet of the canal and then look up and see the city of London rising above us.

An added bonus were the old fashioned tickets for the ride which the boatman punched with a vintage handheld tool. As you've already guessed, they went into the travel journal before we'd even reached Camden!

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