Little Venice 7 July

Our first two nights here we double moored, a standard practice given the large numbers of boats in London. Most must move every 7 days,  and enforcement is more evident than before. Boats that don't move have licence restrictions.  It makes it tricky for people working, sending children to school.

Etiquette with double mooring is simple - check with the neighbour that they don't  mind, and discuss whether they will need to move before you do. If no-one is at home, just tie up, using the other boat to access the towpath.

The alternative is to find a permanent mooring, costing up to £13000 pa. I've attached some pics of such boats, and particularly like the one with the rooftop couch. Others have gardens, outdoor tables, hammocks, a small street library.

This morning we queued at the water point to fill our tank, depleted through the wonderful washing machine, and frequent showers - humid weather, around 30° most days. Am waiting for a drought to be declared.

This afternoon we renewed our aquaintance with the wider area, tea at the eccentric lovely Quince Tree Nursery,  tucked behind 19thC terraces. Wandering around we joined the happy crowd at a pub, watching England's first goal in its match against Sweden.

The towpath through Regents Park was next, shady, just behind Lords.

Later to dinner at a waterfront restaurant to celebrate 33 years as a couple, waiters from Spain, Italy, Somalia (?).

Have also attached pics of Santiago at her new mooring in the large basin at Little Venice- a lucky cancellation of one of the only 2 moorings that one can pre book, allowed us to move to Rembrandt Gardens, only one neighbouring boat, no double mooring.

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