WE DID IT!!! Day 303

Monday 20th May – Day 303 – 8 miles to go

We found a lovely mooring close to a shopping area which had every kind of shop you could think of, so whilst I cracked on with some work Chris went to get some last-minute essentials which we didn’t buy yesterday and then it’s cranking time.

I’m surprised how nice the Grand Union and Paddington Arm is. I think I expected more noise, more mess and to be in the thick of it, but it’s mainly countryside. There are bigger house boats and more widebeams and you’re never far from a cheaper supermarket, but other than that it’s the same as being in the countryside.

Anyway, it’s off we go as we cruise in the sunshine to Paddington. We are truly lucky with the weather today and as we cruise past the high rises we are soon into Little Venice where we luckily sneak onto the facilities just by the bridge for the usual boat services. It’s job done and through the famous Little Venice and we turn right onto the Paddington Arm and the true busy London begins as people are enjoying the sunshine and the restaurants and cafes are busy as we just cruise on by thinking about all the times we walked this way before we owned a boat. ((I’m surprised you can remember!))

We reach our pontoon in the basin and Chris, in true professional captain style, winds the boat straight into our mooring, we tie up and we are here! We have made it to our final destination on this leg of the journey. There is still lots to do. Including the Thames but for now we are here and it’s time for a glass of fizz on the stern! Day done!

Miles: 8
Estimate: London bound totals: cruising miles 175/175 ish Locks: 176/176 Tunnels: 6 Swing Bridge: 3