A fine Thursday in London has been predicted. “It should be sunny and warming up to a fine 12 degrees Celsius”, the weather forecaster noted. "OMG", a heat-wave has hit town. Well, one can understand that such a wise prognostication had been formulated: as when Fred and Parno are in town, things do “heat up”.

Our plans today had a rather aquatic focus: a local canal barge ride and then onto the mighty Thames to quell my “mighty rivers” obsession. Do you remember my Rhine and Ganges raves from the past ? If you don’t then you weren’t paying attention and so should be listed for the next detention session. Rivers still do provide a life blood function for any region: you only need to consider the Todd River in Alice Springs. Well, perhaps not the best example, but when it rains in “Alice” water does flow down the dry river bed, doesn’t it ? 

Enough of today’s edification and onto the Regent Canal Barge experience. We discovered this opportunity when we walked home from Lord’s Cricket Ground down through Regent’s Park toward Paddington on our first day in London. Some rather exclusive and well presented residential areas housed in streets that were relatively wide: enough so, a line of parking opportunities presented themselves in the centre of the road. I’ve come to notice that parking in London is at a premium. If you have property with parking, then add a few extra “0s”. In fact in one Real Estate Agent’s window (where these properties were advertised) typically at GBP1.5 million and above, the first aspect of the property description was something about parking. It appears you can park in any direction as along it is parallel to the traffic flow. So typically, vehicles are parked on the “wrong side” of the road.

Our pedestrian foray continued until we came across the Regent Canal: upon which a number of commercial and residential barges were housed. We were both rather fascinated by these and vowed to revisit this area (as I’m about to detail). This area is known as “little Venice” and is only about 15 minutes walk from our Hotel. So an easy walk and by now we had oriented ourselves well and getting here was a “piece of cake”. Onto the barge and onward to Camden Town some 45 minutes away. These barges whilst now motored, were formerly propelled by draught horses pulling them along an adjoining pathway to the canal. This particular canal was part of a network developed some 200 years earlier (the horses were subsequently “sacked” about 100 years ago). Some thousands of miles of these canals exist throughout the United Kingdom, with this particular one being able to reach the Midlands area to the north. Along these canals, all sorts of things were transported: coal, timber, grain etc. So, along with the railway, this network significantly added to the economic well being of English Cousins.

Just digressing ...which I know is rather unusual for me ... in my short time here, I am somewhat amazed at the Underground network in London where trains go everywhere. I’d suggest even to the toilet !! Lines of tracks to all places. And given that this was developed in the early 20th century, a somewhat amazing feat showing great foresight and planning. The Londoners are now certainly reaping benefit. The waterways also fit into this category. Man-made (should that be “person-made” ?), could you imagine how long and the logistics of arranging, digging etc ? I’ll remove the splinters from under my finger nails now, as I have been doing a little bit of head scratching over these aspects for the last couple of days. No, what’s under my nails, are not nits !!

Our barge trip sedately chugged along the canal passing the London Zoo and Regent’s Park......nowhere was Bond Street and the other “green” property from Monopoly. Perhaps someone could look this up for me and respond. Fred couldn’t remember either. I think Mayfair was there as well: but it’s a “purple” property isn’t it ? Another opportunity arises for you to respond. Off at Camden Town in north western London and into the famous Camden Town markets. These did not interest us, as whilst these are known as “alternative” markets, they peddled the same old things like clothing, watches etc. We were off to walk up the nearby Primrose Hill: another rather spacious open parkland with a lookout in the centre. Our 15 minute walk now through some of those village type scenes I was looking forward to seeing. Fred had a different perspective: she thought the walk was tough. I can’t understand why, as “piggy-backing” me, she found rather hard. Frustrating, as we have an arrangement to deal with this mode of progression: for every 2 miles / kilometres she piggy backs me, I kindly do the same for her. Now this may seem initially as a little unfair, but prior to leaving Australia, we both negotiated a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (an “EBA” for those with an industrial bent), in which the rate was significantly reduced by 33% from 3 miles / kilometres. I kept on reminding her of this as we trudged toward Primrose Hill. She kept on moaning: although this latter reaction did seem to coincide with my stirrups digging into her ribs. Perhaps it was that ?

Primrose Hill did offer us an elevated view of London. Not much of one, as Greater London is rather flat. A small picnic in the park all washed down with a previously purchased French Red wine (Louis Eschenauer Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 vintage). Very nice thank you and even noticed by one particular lady with an exquisite English accent remarking, “how remarkably civilised”. To which, I doffed my hoody and noted, “very good afternoon me-lady”. A short walk down into the village suburb of Chalk Farm: through the quaint streets and village shopping area to the local Underground. 

It was here that we were intending to go King’s Cross Station and acquire our train tickets for our pending trips to York and Edinburgh. These were booked in Australia, but you have to use a local vending machine to get these printed. A successful venture: although the King’s Cross Train Station complex is rather confusing and very large. Suburban, country and International trains are caught from here !! Rather confusing to the “newbie”. Back onto the confusing network of the Underground to Embankment Station to catch the Thames Clipper service up to Greenwich.

Greenwich is famous for the Naval and Associated navigational and “time” setting. A 45 minute commuter trip along the Thames to the suburb of Greenwich. This then followed by an inspection of the very impressive buildings of the Naval College. Overlooking this area is the Royal Observatory in which the Greenwich Meridian passes and that the astrological time keeping machines are housed. From atop of this hill, a very impressive elevated view of London was noted. A bit of a walk to get up there, but very worth it. A much better view than the much touted Primrose Hill outlook. Again, Greenwich is a large parkland and given the very bright but crisp day, there were many people out enjoying the scarce sunlight. The English winter had been rather bitter so a bit of vitamin D would have been much sought after by the Brits, I’m sure. There were many people sun baking: yes, I kid you not. Many bare bodies soaking up the sun in the 17 degrees Celsius cloudless sky. I still had a heavy coat on !!

Back to the ferry to return to Paddington to catch up with our London based niece, Alice and one of her Sydney based friends ...a resident of London. The day was finished off with a Pub dinner with the obligatory room temperature “bitter ales”. Our last full day in London, so a short walk back to our hotel to ready ourselves for the trip to York. Our navigational skills now finely tuned (just like the thousands of homing pigeons that exist in this town), and so getting home after a few ales was a piece of cake. But first .....

Today’s competition, which I must highlight, generated an almost tumultuous response from the 3 of you that read this blog, focuses mainly upon the game of Monopoly. The original one that is:

1. What are the names of the green properties which has Regent’s Park as a member ?

2. The names of the 4 Railway stations are ?

3. Mayfair and the other like properties, are ?

4. Unsolve the puzzle of how trains from England can get onto the European Continent for me please

5. What is the longitude of the Greenwich Meridian ?

6. In terms of World Time Zones, what does GMT mean ? Typically, how many hours is Sydney “ahead” of Greenwich ?

You may respond by hitting the “add comment”. The most correct response received will get a free “get out of jail free” card.  

Now to move onto a few other aspects of our trip. These to be continued in the upcoming chapters. Our next “stop” is York in the Midlands / Yorkshire area of England. A couple of hours away by train.

But prior to this, I note that Australia has won a few gold medals in the Commonwealth Games and that each time the British reporters report back, they are standing on a sunny Broadbeach. They remark quite constantly about the beautiful Australian weather and when the reporter crosses back to the BBC studio in London, you can see the presenters grimace with envy. A hard gig for those back in “Oz”.

It is very easy to engage the British people with chats about the weather. They are extremely jealous of the Australian climatic conditions. It appears that both the United Kingdom and Australia have had rather extreme seasons of heat and cold. Extreme in many cases in both locations.