Isn’t this a heart warming sight?
I don’t know if any of you have been watching ‘Great Canal Journeys’, presented by Timothy West and Prunella Scales? I have a real fondness for this couple and the way in which they are dealing with advancing years and health issues. For me, they are fulfilling a dream that I’ve always had, to take to a boat and putter away my days. As near as I’ve come is the towpath so far, unless you count a long ago week in a narrowboat in a permanent mooring at Reading!
It was pure coincidence that last week’s episode featured Regent’s Canal, because that is precisely where I had planned on taking you. Sadly for all of us, we’re on foot! Still, as a bonus we can pick up a book before we start, and keep a lookout for a sunny bench. I begin my journey along the canal behind King’s Cross railway station. With time to spare you could pop into the London Canal Museum, but I need to be in Camden Town by 11.00, so it’s best foot forward.
Goodbye bookshop! Nice meeting you.
The boardwalk looks brand new!
Apparently this gas tower is a listed building
There’d been a spot of overnight rain
Super smart canalside living
But there’s no escaping graffiti!
More desirable housing
Lots of it!
I’d love to do this!
Approaching my first destination
Camden Lock
I think I’ll have to split this walk into two halves. My eventual destination along the towpath is Little Venice, but in Camden Town I take a small detour to join Judith from London Walks.
A guided tour of ‘Old Camden Town’ sounded irresistible to me, and so it proved. Judith, a local artist with a twinkle in her eye, regaled us with stories of characters as diverse as Dickens, Amy Winehouse, George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. Better yet, she showed me a London that, in all my years of first living there and then return visits to the capital, I had never managed to find for myself. Now that’s what I call a good walk leader! If given the opportunity, do join her. You won’t regret it.
There can be very few high streets that look like this!
I’ve been to Camden Town several times and it’s a favourite of my daughter. The mix of quirky shops, outrageous clothing and sparkly things is a magnet to her magpie nature. It was just 11.00 when I arrived and anxiously scanned the High St., looking for Judith in the Saturday morning swell. As promised, she was outside the Metro Station entrance, cheerfully rounding up her flock. Introductions made, we were off at a brisk pace, on our 2 hour Camden tour.
The Town Crier seemed perfectly happy to chat
Click on any photo to view gallery
We head back towards the canal and cross over Hampstead Road Lock- arguably the most picturesque lock on the canal- about to delve into Camden Market.
Hampstead Road Lock
Judith, recounting a little history to the group
And I think that is a good place to leave her. I hope that you’ll come back next week, when we’ll explore the incredible Stables, and I’ll continue on along the Regent’s Canal.
Many thanks to Jude for reminding me about ‘Take a walk in the park day’, which just happens to be today. I’ve linked back to Ailsa’s Outdoors. What could be more outdoors than the canals?
Time to look at my contributors and to say a big thank you for their kindness in joining me. Details of how to join in are on my Jo’s Monday walks page, or simply click on the logo above. All you need right now are a cuppa and a comfy seat.
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Debbie first this week! A boardwalk and boats are just my style. Thanks, Debs!
Walking the boardwalk at Wicken Fen
Geoff is staying with the Street Art, which seems highly popular at the moment :
Amy has some more of her beautiful captures, and guess what? It’s Spring!
Gilly has us wandering on the Exe Trail. The dogs needed a gentle stroll :
Can you find a dog on Meg’s post this week?
Eurobodalla beaches : Yabbara Beach
Meanwhile, Esther has a tempting proposition?
And Anabel has some wonderful tapestry for us to look at :
New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde
Drake gives us a glimpse of summer time in Denmark. It’s beautiful!
Next a delightful surprise from Cloud of Lace in Lebanon. Byblos is almost as beautiful as her blog. Please go and say ‘hi!’ to Hiba.
Tobias uses light and shade brilliantly. Take a look!
Hooray!!! Jude’s back! I know you’ll have missed her walks. I did!
It will be Easter Monday next week. I’ll still be hosting my walk, and if the weather cooperates I’m hoping lots of you will be out there walking too. Whatever happens, I wish you all a very happy Easter holiday.
restlessjo 
A little boat for a bookstore….How could you possibly leave such an adorable place?
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My heart lies there still 🙂
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A different side to London, though I went to Camden Lock several years ago when my daughter lived in Dollis Hill. I would have liked it when I was younger, but now I’m not a fan of crowds and it is very busy there. I think I walked alongside a canal in Angel Islington once on the way to an interview, but I could be making that up. I do enjoy the canal tow-paths in the countryside around here – well more to the north of the county – nice, level walking 😉
I may even have some photos of some of my walks – shall have to dig them out for you!
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I think January was probably a good time to visit, Jude. Although Camden Lock itself was very busy the towpaths either side of it were pretty laidback. Nearer King’s Cross there were more joggers and cyclists than I could have done with, but live and let live. 🙂 It’s just great to be able to escape the bustle if you want.
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I think we went just after Christmas and it was cold and grey and miserable, but still very busy. This must have been at least 14 years ago though – pre children (hers)
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Maybe I was lucky 🙂 You’ll see how busy the towpath is.
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That’s what I love about London. No matter how many times we visit there is always somewhere new and interesting to go and see. I must keep an eye out for that TV series. It will be on here eventually.
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It’s such a different aspect of the city! I’d love to see the whole of the waterway but time is always the enemy 🙂
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There are many areas of London I have yet to explore. We always have way more on our list than we can fit in.
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That sounds like a great series, Jo. I’ll get hubby to look out for it and download it. Prunella Scales must be getting on a bit. i loved her in Fawlty Towers. 🙂 Camden High Street looks like a fascinating place to have a good browse, but the canal pics are my favorites. Another great walk, Jo. xx
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Pit found it on YouTube, Ad. It’s Channel 4 over here. She has early stages of Alzheimers but she looks as game as ever. I can still fall about laughing at Fawlty Towers when the mood takes me 🙂
It’s a great bit of canal, tucked away in the city, and Camden Town is a lot of fun. Thanks, Ad.
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Hi Jo, thanks again for the mention. I’m struggling with internet at the moment so a hyperlink is beyond me – however, here’s another contribution, a walk along part of the Antonine Wall https://anabelsblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/antonine-wall/.
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That’s wonderful, Anabel- thanks! 🙂 No worries about the link. I’ll come visit as soon as I’ve finished my comments 🙂
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Apart from the obvious touristy places and galleries, museums and shops, I don’t know our capital very well. Whenever I go up it’s a bit of a haul, and while I always intend to go more often, I suppose I don’t enjoy it enough to make the effort. I have been to Camden market many years ago and I guess my favourite places are Kew and the V&A. I’ve bookmarked the walks link though, thanks!
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They are an excellent company, Gilly, and they do a good range of walks. The canalside does give you a very different outlook on the city and it’s relatively hassle free once you get there. 🙂 But you’ve got plenty of lovely places nearby to keep you happy.
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All very recognisable and nicely captured Jo. I am thoroughly enjoying Tomothy and Prunella’s journey’s as well. There is remarkable personal synchronicity – I first became hooked on canals in the summer of 1976 taking a boat along the southern Oxford from north of Banbury to Blisworth – the same year and location they started. I have done the London Ring from Slough via the Regents Canal and onto the Thames up to Brentford in the late eighties when hire boats were allowed onto the river. And, lo and behold, we have done the same stretch of the Canal du Midi featured in the latest episode but in the other direction! Next week it is the Lothian canal which we haven’t done – perhaps we should 🙂
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Green with envy, Robin. 🙂 Yes, you should! Then you can do a towpath walk for me 🙂
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My boys were in Camden on Friday. Eldest Son took brother to Wembley (birthday pressie from November) to watch England play, a real treat, and they visited the Imperial War Musuem first then ate at Camden 🙂 You know how much I love boats Jo, I used to dream of living in on one too. Never have tried narrow boating but it’s on the list along with so many other things. You had a busy day! Love the book boat 🙂 The walk sounds fascinating. We did a ghost walk in London a few year’s ago, near Halloween. It was great fun. As is this post, thanks Jo 🙂
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I was exhausted but happy by the time I made it back to King’s Cross and homewards, Sherri. Part of the Algarve dream was always to own a boat but we haven’t got that far yet 🙂 I really would love a narrowboat holiday though. Thanks, hon 🙂
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🙂
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A wonderful tour. I drooled over those canalside dwellings, but I doubt I’d get past the book boat!
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That’s as good a place to fetch up as any, Viv. We could have an armchair each 🙂
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Such a lovely walk, Jo I want to go back and see it again and again. 🙂
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Come back for part 2 next week, Lisa 🙂 Happy Easter! Are you doing anything nice or just enjoying the break?
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Happy Easter to you too, Jo! We are staying home, cooking a big brunch and watching movies for a nice relaxing day. 🙂 I’ll take Ryan to visit my parents the day after when he’s out of school for spring break. I’ll definitely be back for part 2!
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Love the virtual tour!
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I’m glad, Renee 🙂 I had great fun doing it.
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This is such an interesting place Jo – lovely canal and festive atmosphere. High Street is very unique! The Town Crier seems like quite the character. What a fun place to visit.
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It’s one of London’s liveliest areas, Mary- especially on a Saturday morning. Full of interesting characters too. 🙂
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You have definitely just added an itinerary item to my 4 days in London! Love the dragon fronted building. 🙂 – Suzan –
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It’s a bit of a crazy Saturday morning place. Probably quieter but no less fun in the week. Have a look at next week’s walk. Some of the photos are not so good but it is an amazing place inside Camden Market. 🙂
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I’m enjouying the tv series too – I think they’re an inspirational couple. I have wanted for a long time to do a narrow boat holiday but maybe will head to France for a slightly higher chance fo sunshine! Really enjoy the photos as I think the last time I was in Camden was in my twenties either to go to the market or to a gig at Dingwalls!
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They were on the Canal du Midi last night but I haven’t watched it yet, Tanya. Stuff of dreams for me. 🙂 Yes- I guess it’s changed a bit!
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Such a beautiful walk today! I always particularly enjoy those adjacent to water, be it the sea or a charming canal like this one.
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I love the canal network, Hiba, and this one’s proximity to the ‘bright lights’ makes it a bit special. Many thanks for your contribution. I hope you have lots of visitors. 🙂
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What a charming walk. I’m exhausted!! I live canals – have ridden alingside on mant trails here and in Europe, and would like to take a bike ‘ n barge trip some day. That series sounds fascinating – i will see if our Public station carries it or oerhaps it’s acailable on DVD.
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Timothy and Prunella were in the Canal du Midi on last night’s show. Stuff of dreams for me! I haven’t seen it yet but it’s recorded and I’ll watch it later. It’s on our Channel 4 so I have no idea if you’ll be able to pick it up online. She has early onset Alzheimers but seems to be handling it brilliantly. 🙂
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All the more reason to track this show if we’re sadly losing her to the mind maze. Thanks for recommending this.
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Pit is in the States and he’s just left a comment that he’s watched it on YouTube, Sammy. Would never have thought of that! 🙂
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Me neither!!! Guess that shows our age, huh. I will look for it there (at least I know how to access you tube even if I don’t think of looking there 😍
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Well, Sammy, what am I to say, at 68?! 😉
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You’re an old dog who DOES learn new tricks 😋
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LOL
Glad you called me an old dog and not a dinosaur. 😉
Well, it all started about 20 years ago, when I simply wanted a new (electronic) typewriter and a colleague of mine persuaded me to get a computer instead. That got me hooked.
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Hi Jo, Sammy,
I just googled “Great Canal Journeys” and up it popped. Here’s the link to episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zRI7xwN_mU
And from there it’s easy to find the others. They’re listed in the right hand side margin.
Enjoy,
Pit
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Thanks, Jo, for pointing an old narrow boat nut like me [http://tinyurl.com/pma9mwu] towards Timothy’s and Prunella’s series. 🙂 I’m enjoying watching them on YouTube.
Have a great week,
Pit
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It would never have occurred to me to look for it on YouTube, Pit, so thanks very much for that. I just passed it on to one of my readers in the States 🙂
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A place full of charm, where houses look like ships, and ships look like houses 🙂 Book-barge seems like a great idea!
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Yes, it is a bit of a topsy turvy world, Paula, and I’m not just talking about my reflections. 🙂 (have you noticed- they’re everywhere!) There was a comfy old armchair on the top deck of the book barge. I could happily have stayed and rested the poor old pins 🙂
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Are pins bones?
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Legs 🙂 Can’t remember the Cockney rhyming slang it comes from.
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😀 thanks Jo 🙂
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Jo I am not familiar with the series but I did enjoy your walk none the less. Love the art on the street as well as those water reflection shots. Gorgeous.
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Apparently you can watch it on YouTube, Sue 🙂 Prunella Scales is famous for her role as Sybil in Fawlty Towers, which I used to adore. She now has early onset Alzheimers but you’d never know from this series.
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