Regents Canal
As all other footpaths were closed due to FMD (foot and mouth disease) we decided we would have a walk along the Regents Canal in London.
The canal runs between Paddington Station and Limehouse Basin, it is approximately nine miles long. There are thirteen locks, numerous bridges and two tunnels.
As we emerged from Paddington Station we thought it should be easy enough to find the start of the canal. Think again, the whole area was in an upheaval of cranes and builders. Eventually we found the peaceful lagoon of Little Venice with its town houses overlooking the boats. It must be the best moorings in London.
The canal before Maida Hill Tunnel is also used for moorings both sides, but it is not so exclusive as the former. We managed to navigate over the tunnel and back onto the towpath. As we passed London Zoo with its Lord Snowdon Aviary one side and animal enclosures on the other bank, the trip boat chugged along to start the day's work.
We approached Camden Lock and nearby Camden Market where we left the canal to look at the old hospital for horses, with its cobbled floor and stalls still in position. These are now units for the Antiques Market, but the outside is unchanged with the little windows above the stable entrances. A horse walkway leads up from the ground floor to the next level, curving round similar to a turnover bridge, unfortunately no horses - only people now! I was told the canal horses were not treated here, only the railway horses who shunted trains around the goods yard.
There are some arms off the main canal still in water which are used for canoeing and moorings. St. Pancras is the base of the St. Pancras Cruising Club and the nearby London Canal Museum which is situated at Battlebridge Basin, where there are some extra moorings, both permanent and overnight for visitors. The Canal Museum is on the site of the Carlo Gatti Ice Cream Company and is now being refurbished to an even higher standard. There are two large wells there, where ice was stored, but only one of them is on show. Well worth the visit.
The next obstacle in our path was the Islington Tunnel. It should have been easy to find the way to the other end, but we plunged into another building site. Totally disoriented we wandered around until we saw a traffic warden. She told us we should look out for Duncan Street which leads down to the towpath. Luckily we found a tea shop on the way and took full advantage.
City Road and Wedlock Basin were in use as training ponds for young canoeists, and shortly we passed the Laburnum School Mosaics. There is a mosaic of a Laburnum Tree on one of the nearby bridges, but we could not find out who had produced these mosaics or anything about them.
There are various redundant gasometers along the route, which we presume are listed buildings. It is a wonder they have not been converted into flats. It seems that every thing else has, and where there is nothing to convert, new building are being constructed. Apparently this is to do with the regeneration of the poorer parts of London, as up to now the more fashionable places have had all the grants.
After passing under a very elaborate bridge, inscribe YR we realised that Victoria Park was alongside the canal. With gardens and lakes, this park has another canal as a boundry - the Hertford Union Canal, which connects the Regents Canal with the River Lee Navigation.
Three locks later we came across the Ragged School Museum. It was closed but we will return to have a look at a later date.
We finished the walk at Limehouse Basin, where the River Lee Navigation continues to Hertford. But, that's another story!
Ann Hartley