Monday 3rd June
Paddington Basin - Kensal Green
2.5 miles and 0 locks
Time to head out of the basin again for a few days, this time up to Kensal. When we stopped at Kensal a couple of weeks ago James had noticed that the bank sides were quite low so therefore would be good for touching up the scratches we had acquired going through the locks. Whilst there we also managed to get our other roof box painted so now we have matching grey boxes.
Tuesday 4th June
Today we headed up to Westminster Abbey to see the Royals arrive (and depart) for the 60th anniversary Coronation service. We arrived just after 8am so we could get a good place for spotting the Royals, when we arrived we had a choice of either right at the front of the barrier or a place on the wall on the other side of the pavement. We opted for the wall as it gave us a slightly elevated view and we could see more of what was going on, glad we did too as we spotted Doug and James walking through the crowds so we shuffled up to make room for them. The Royals arrived, the service happened and then the Royals left, shame none of them came over to the crowds but I suppose it was a formal service after all. As we waited for the crowds to lessen a bit the BBC were doing a live broadcast and Doug and I had very short interview which apparently appear live on TV and Adam (Briar Rose) very kindly managed to get a clip for us. After a drink in the Westminster Arms with Doug and James we went our separate ways with us ending up relaxing in St James Park.
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| Getting ready for the service |
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| The crowds are growing and still an hour to go |
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| The Royals start arriving |
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| William and Kate arrive |
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| BBC news carrying out interviews |
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| Doug in the middle of the two James's |
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| The Pelicans in Hyde Park |
Wednesday 5th June
Stayed at Kensal continuing with painting and getting 'ship shape'.
Thursday 6th June
Kensal and return
4.5 miles and 0 locks
A trip to the winding point to turn LJ round to get the other side matching.
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| One side finished |
Friday 7th June
Kensal Green - Paddington Basin
2.5 miles and 0 locks
We were heading back to the Basin ready for Mum to arrive tomorrow. We must be lucky as managed to get a space again, and on the same pontoon as Chance. Just as we were getting the ropes tied James (from Chance) called over did we want coffee? That sounded a great idea, so once we were secure we headed over and sat out as the sun was out, so we started with coffee and chocolate biscuits which then was followed by baked Camembert with bread and nibbles and the wine kept flowing, and finishing with tea, by this time we had moved inside as there were a few drops of rain. We had a lovely and very unexpected afternoon in excellent company.
Saturday 8th June
After a quick trip to Leicester Square to get tickets for a show tonight we headed to Paddington Station to meet Mum off the train, then back to LJ for lunch of quiche and salad as we had decided to eat after the show. We headed off to the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus to watch The 39 Steps, it was very cleverly done as there were only four actors and was very funny. After the show we went off to China town and had a very good buffet.
After a quick trip to Leicester Square to get tickets for a show tonight we headed to Paddington Station to meet Mum off the train, then back to LJ for lunch of quiche and salad as we had decided to eat after the show. We headed off to the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus to watch The 39 Steps, it was very cleverly done as there were only four actors and was very funny. After the show we went off to China town and had a very good buffet.
Sunday 9th June
It was off to the parks again on the bikes, Mum got a Boris Bike but as she preferred riding mine I used it and thought it was great. You pay a £2 access fee per day and then up to half an hour is free and an hour is £1, if you have it longer than that it starts to sound a little expensive. You can change bikes as many times as you like during the day but there must be at least 10 minutes after dropping one off before you can pick another up, so we made sure we only had one for half an hour so only costing £2. We stopped off at Hyde Park and came across the biggest dog show in London "Hyde Bark" so stayed around a while watching the competitions and parades, then it was off to the cafe for coffee and cake. We then went off through Green Park to Buckingham Palace and then cycled down The Mall. Time was now getting on and we were getting worn out so after dropping off the Boris Bike we folded our bikes up and got the bus back to Paddington Basin.
It was off to the parks again on the bikes, Mum got a Boris Bike but as she preferred riding mine I used it and thought it was great. You pay a £2 access fee per day and then up to half an hour is free and an hour is £1, if you have it longer than that it starts to sound a little expensive. You can change bikes as many times as you like during the day but there must be at least 10 minutes after dropping one off before you can pick another up, so we made sure we only had one for half an hour so only costing £2. We stopped off at Hyde Park and came across the biggest dog show in London "Hyde Bark" so stayed around a while watching the competitions and parades, then it was off to the cafe for coffee and cake. We then went off through Green Park to Buckingham Palace and then cycled down The Mall. Time was now getting on and we were getting worn out so after dropping off the Boris Bike we folded our bikes up and got the bus back to Paddington Basin.
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| James and Mum in Hyde Park |
TOTALS FOR WEEK
Cruising - 9.5 miles
Locks - 0
Tunnels - 0
OVERALL TOTALS
Cruising - 178.25
Locks - 103
Tunnels - 5
Bridges - 3
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