Signs of summer finally appearing, the penultimate weekend in June provided the perfect opportunity for a nice, long walk. Brunch at Caravan in Granary Square was the perfect place for a catch up, and fuelled me up for the miles ahead.
I'd walked the stretch of Regent's Canal from King's Cross to Camden on quite a few occasions, and had also explored Little Venice and the Paddington Basin at the other end but for whatever reason (probably food and ring shopping related), I'd never gone beyond Camden Market until yesterday.
On familiar territory as far as Camden, the path passed us by quite quickly as we navigated our way past many a cute dog, and out of the way of many a cyclist. At Camden itself, we went up into the market in search of refreshment but were disappointed to discover that Yumchaa had gone! So we found our way back out again via a jewellery stand or two (browsing only; I was good), then spent a moment or two figuring out how to actually keep going along the canal.
Squeezed our way through Camden crowds and over the bridge that crosses the lock, then over another bridge taking us back to the side we'd come from where the towpath reappeared and we could continue our journey. The stretch that followed was an insight into how the other half live with narrow and rowing boats moored out the back of white-washed townhouses with their gorgeous gardens (one with the sweetest treehouse, another with a cute table and chair set complete with bottle of champagne and two flutes (whether from the night before or a leisurely lunch we couldn't decide)).
As we came into Primose Hill, we found St Mark's church offering cold drinks, so stopped a while in the gardens for a San Pellegrino. Refreshed, we rounded a corner and found ourselves alongside London Zoo where cute dog sightings reached their peak as we stood a while to watch the African Hunting Dogs enjoy their feeding time.
Past Regent's Park, houses and gardens (although at what point does a garden become a park?) reached ridiculous proportions. We ooh'ed, aah'ed, and wondered who on earth could live in such places! After a short while, we reached a gate preventing us from continuing along the side of the canal we were following, so were forced to cross another bridge onto the other side.
This stretch of the towpath led us up, above the canal, and across a road as the water disappeared through a tunnel below. Following the top path again once on the other side of the road, it felt quite strange to suddenly be so high up with the canal so far below us.
When the canal disappeared under a second, longer tunnel, we were forced to trust our instincts, and continued along the road in a straight line until eventually we were met with Little Venice, and signs once more of the water.
More pretty boats and houses followed as we walked at first on the other side of a fence (thankfully not too high) dividing the rabble from a small community of boat owners. After a short while we found a little gate which was open and allowed us to re-join the towpath for the remainder of our walk.
Stopped a while at Beany Green towards Paddington for iced drinks, croissants, and some top notch people watching (oh my goodness this 'influencer' malarkey looks exhausting. JUST EAT YOUR BANANA BREAD. YOU HAVE ENOUGH PHOTOS.) With our fill of refreshment, entertainment, and walking, we were ready to head for home.
While nothing ever quite compares to the sea for me, I do find a river, canal or lake are a pleasant alternative. And at the end of the day, wherever there is water, I will wander.
While nothing ever quite compares to the sea for me, I do find a river, canal or lake are a pleasant alternative. And at the end of the day, wherever there is water, I will wander.
