From Shoreditch To Paddington
The towpath fiddler in Camden
Taking advantage of the crystalline sunlight, I continued my ramble along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal. I walked as far as Paddington Basin, picking up my journey where I cast off in Shoreditch. Swathed in multiple layers of clothing against the cold, I was alarmed to encounter rough sleepers under bridges when I set out but, as the temperature rose, I was astonished to discover a zealous sunbather in Camden. My most inspiring meeting of the day was with fiddler Lee Westbrook who, like me, had also been encouraged to venture out by the sunlight. His music echoed hauntingly under the multiple bridges at Gloucester Ave. And by the time I reached Paddington, it was warm enough to unbutton my coat before taking the Metropolitan Line back again to Liverpool St.
Approaching Bridport Place Bridge
De Beauvoir Rd Bridge
Approaching City Rd Lock
Lock keeper’s cottage at City Rd Lock
At City Rd Lock
Danbury St Bridge
Approaching the Islington Tunnel
Entrance to the Islington Tunnel
Lock Keeper’s Cottage at St Pancras Lock
Bridge at Royal College St
Canalside Terrace in Camden
At Camden Lock
At Camden Lock
Lee Westbrook
Mansions by Regent’s Park
Bridge into Regent’s Park
Mansion in Regent’s Park
Onwards towards Paddington
In Lisson Grove
In Maida Vale
Little Venice
Paddington Basin
You may also like to take a look at the earlier part of my journey
So ROMANTIC!! The gate keepers’ cottages, the mansions, the houseboats, and Lee Westbrook, a handsome young man in a beautiful sweater, playing music on the towpath. The fiddler on the towpath photograph reminds me of “The Singing Butler,” a Jack Vetriano fantasy, in which a couple waltzes on the beach. I’ll dance to a violin on the towpath any time.
Your best photographs ever. Do some people live in the houseboats? Tell us more.
Beautiful photographs. Evocative of time and travellers.
Here’s the Paddington Basin from Thomas Shepherd’s view published c.1830. From where did all those houses come?
https://www.mapsandantiqueprints.com/shop/antique-prints/regents-canal-antique-print/#.YfeXker7TSE
Again, thank you for this! Those of us who don’t live in England never get to see this side of London.
The first photograph of the fiddler under the bridge is very special, with the hazy light beyond the arch. Thank you for sharing all these.
Don’t stop now!
I suggest, having topped up your thermos with lashings of mulligatawny soup, that you get back to Paddington and continue on the Grand Union canal to the river at Brentford where you will be greeted by a small, rosy cheeked bunch of fans and a smattering of applause. Possibly.
Dear gentle author, thank you so much for those beautiful sunny snapshots. They remind me of a wonderful narrowboat trip with John Hamilton of “ENGLISH AFLOAT”
several years ago!
Margret from Bremen
Greetings from freezing Boston,
GA, I really enjoyed your great shots of Regent’s Canal in winter. Reminds me of a little cruise I took on a lovely Sunday afternoon in June from Maida Vale to Camden. Such a variety of charming sites along the way.
One thing I noticed in your previous piece was those old stairs leading down to the locks – WITHOUT RAILINGS. City Rd. lock would be an example. I was happy to see railings in “Lock Keeper’s Cottage at St Pancras Lock” which looks like a newer construction. While unfortunately stairs become more of an issue with age, I have little problem going up, but find difficulty going down without something to grab hold of. Just sayin’ …
Beautiful photos! Still waters, a slight haze, dots of colours. I think your late friend Colin would be quite impressed to see how your photo composition has evolved over these past few years. Bravo!
How wonderful to see the budding willows along the canal–reminders that snowbound Toronto will see that harbinger of Spring in, maybe, May.
That violinist-how can his fingers prance on the strings in that cold weather? A soundtrack for your journey and we wish we could hear the echoing notes.
Thank you!
Wonderful photos GA thanks very much.
Where in the canal did Pamela Flitton fling X. Trapnel’s only manuscript of his magnum opus?
What a smashing walk. Smashing photos too.
Thank you very much for sharing those gorgeous bright photographs with us.
Loved joining you on your walk.
Really informative and helpful tips!Thanks For Sharing and Keep Up the Good Work.
Beautiful photographs. The fiddler under the bridge is very special. Thank you for sharing all these.
Thank you for sharing this walk with such great photos. Approximately how long did the walk take .
I grew up in Paddington so this was extra special