UK Canals - Journey reports

Paddington

These are 7 day moorings so no problem for us staying until tomorrow.   On duty on the stand again today, but it was very quiet.  The train service is curtailed because of a total closure at Reading and a long diversion is in place for trains going beyond Reading via Banbury and Oxford.   

Paddington

Had a bit of squealing from the alternator belt which was dealt with this morning.  From past experience it might mean that the belt will break soon.  No worries, we have a spare.

Spent the rest of the day on the stattion stewarding at the Festiniog Railway stand on platform 9 where the first narrow gauge steam locomotive in the world used for public service was on display celebrating jointly 150 years with the London Underground.

Princess at Paddington

Paddington

A bright sunny morning, but very cold overnight and the canal was frozen over this morning.  So no rush to get going and we left later than usual at 08:00.  The ice was thin enough to enable us to push the bows out to clear the boat infront of us.  Had it not been so we would have had to stay put and it would have been evidence that the ice was too thick for the boat's comfort.  We have forced through inch thick ice before but it plays havok with the hull blacking and is not to be recommended.   In fact the ice proved to be patchy and by the time we reached Alperton had almost completely gone.  Approaching Little Venice we spotted boats moored much further out than I had seen before and at Little Venice itself right back as far as the Harrow Road Bridge.   This did not auger well for finding a mooring.   There was infact one space nearer to the toll house, but we carried on to the Paddington Basin and there was our space waiting for us right outside the Paddington Station entrance.  Boats coming later would be disappointed.  Arrival at 11:25.

After lunch we popped into the station to see Princess on her display stand, the first narrow gauge steam locomotive on a public railway, looking pristine, brasswork sparkling.

Paddington Arm:Willow Tree Country Park

Staying put here for the day for some maintenance.   The boat needs a thorough clean after the winter.  Old jars of time expired spices and jam thrown out and the front steps/coal bunker sanded and given a coat of varnish.  The floor needs another coat too, but will have to wait until warmer weather unless it can be left to harden over a few days.

This remains a good mooring for the dog as there are many good walks, popular with other dog walkers. There is a Tesco nearby and we are getting good digital TV and 3G cover.

Nuggler gets moving

We are on the way to Paddington for Saturday and Sunday. I am stewarding on the Festiniog Railway Princess stand at the station platform 9.  If you are passing, come and say hallo.

Our usual early start, arriving at the marina at 6:45 to find the gate padlock jammed.  Some poor soul had been waiting to get out since 5:30.  Now I am not a locksmith, but a little fiddling with a needle file got it open.  I was as surprised as the prisoner who now regards me in a slightly suspicious light.   Our first and main job apart from transfering untold quantities of tack to the boat, was to drain off the special antifreeze used in the water system and fill the tank.  It was bitterly cold and it didn't take long to get the stove working, but as we got underway, just standing on the back of the boat needed much warm clothing.  Alfie took no time at all in getting back into his routine, although he is getting much more vocal when he knows we are approaching somewhere where he might be getting off.   Tesco at Bulls Bridge provided a little bit of relief from the cold and then we found our expected mooring at Willow Tree Country Park where we have stayed before.  Good dog country here and foxes too. Inside the boat we are lovely and warm, so no problem there.