Hackney to Little Venice Cavalcade

Fri 28th April  Hackney Marsh to Little Venice

Moored in Hackney

We departed fairly early, and continued south down the Lee Navigation, with good views of the Olympic Park. We wanted to use facilities before heading for Little Venice, so we went past the Hertford Union Canal junction, and went to Old Ford Locks where we could fill up with water and empty cassettes and rubbish.

Olympic Park

Lifeboat number 10

Old Ford Lock Facilities

It is extraordinary that the back rivers going through the Olympic Park are still sealed off. They were first closed in May 2008, and here we are in 2017, and they are still closed.

The barrier across the back rivers

We returned the short distance to the Hertford Union Canal and proceeded through the three locks.  There was a team of a dozen young people with two CRT volunteers, just about to start painting the lock beams. We told them that lots of boats would be coming through today because of the festival, and they seemed unaware of it.

As we were ascending in the third lock, a boat pulled out from the moorings on Victoria Park. When we left the lock, we followed them and shared the other Old Ford Lock with them. It was Paul and Janine Strudwick on a boat called Rosery.  He is the chairman of the IWA in London.

Sharing with Rosery

There were three more locks before Islington Tunnel.  In St Pancras Lock there was a wide beam coming down. 

Islington Tunnel

Kentish Town Lock

At Camden Locks there were some volunteers who helped us through. When we arrived at the top lock there were crowds of people of all nationalities watching us come through the lock. When we had finally opened the top gates, James got a few laughs by pretending to pass the hat round.

We tied up on the bollards which now say “no mooring” and visited the market for some Indian street food, which was very nice. We moved on through Regents Park and through Maida Hill Tunnel to Little Venice.

Floating Chinese restaurant in Cumberland basin

“Blow Up” Bridge

We first went into Paddington basin to see if we could find the fuel boat.  We found it, but there was no-one aboard, so we decided to leave it until later. We turned round and as we emerged into the Pool, we saw Gentle Breeze moored up, and we asked if we could tie alongside. Steve Jenkins is a member of Boaters Christian Fellowship, and is a Waterways Chaplain. He was also one of the waterways team here at Cavalcade.

Moored on Gentle Breeze

When we finally moved into our allocated berths, we were in berth 13. In 14 was Shiraz, with BCF member Mike Phillips who does some of the tannoy announcements at the festival.  In 12 was Iquitos, occupied by Mike Moore, also a BCF member, and the water space manager, who has done an excellent job sorting out all the moorings.

Mike and Lorraine Newman on Annie and Walt were not far away in berth 8 or 9.

We put our BCF banner up, collected our plaque and programme and went to the first evening’s entertainment, a fish and chip supper and a quiz.

We shared a table with three Byfleet Boat Club friends Ray (Stronghold), Terry and Chris (Barley Twist), plus BCF members Lorraine and Mike, and Babs. We did quite well, being runners up.

11 locks, 9 miles

Sat 29th April  Little Venice

The first job was to get the bunting up, which we do with the aid of two mike stands.  We put out some literature, and invited some people on board when appropriate.

The boats in the Pool

 Ready to receive guests

Mick Chris Suzanne Terry Ray

At lunch time we went to the food stalls, and had some Greek souvlaki, while we listened to folk duo Braunston Pickle, who didn’t have any PA so they just played tunes.

James put some lights on the boat in preparation for the procession tomorrow. Meanwhile we watched the boat parade going past.  There was also some unofficial entertainment from the tugs

Two tugs having a dance

Ray on Stronghold

Boat Pageant

In the evening we were pleased to find the PA system was operational in the beer tent, and we took part in the open mic session. We had two spots of three songs each. It was good to see a few people from Byfleet Boat Club – Mick and Suzanne, and Terry and Chris

No boating today

Sun 30th April  Little Venice

Early on Sunday morning

We went back to the beer tent for the 10am Service led by Graham Nunn of the Church Army, assisted by Nancy.  There were some younger children present, so Graham told the story of Noah, using some magic tricks.  There was also a time of worship, including an action song.

Graham and Nancy

Action song

We had food from a Jamaican stall plus some pancakes to follow, and then we watched some of the boat handling competition, and listened to the jazz band.

Pochard

Before the illuminated procession, we cruised into the Paddington Arm, and found Baron, the fuel boat, which was manned this time, and we filled the tank. We used up all our cash. 

Then we reversed under the Horse Bridge to be ready for the procession.  Highlander was doing the same, and when they wanted to stop, they put the boat into forward gear to stop the reverse motion. Unfortunately this caused their powerful propeller to wash a lot of water into the cabin of a moored boat. Oops!

We had some spots of rain, but thankfully not the heavy downpour that was forecast.  There were nearly twenty boats taking part, and most had put a lot of effort into their decorations.  It was good fun.

Illuminated procession

0 locks, 1 mile.

Next: The final day of Cavalcade, and the cruise back along the Grand Union Paddington Arm and the down the Hanwell flight of locks to Brentford.