London 5 July

For the past 2 weeks the good narrowboat Santiago and crew have been climbing up and down hills, including the Chilterns. These lie to the west of London, the summit area at Tring a classic ,  long tree canopied channels, before the descent to the London plain.

We moored at Berkhamsted to rendezvous with friends from Switzerland, for an interesting journey into the city. In medieval times Berkhamsted grew watercress, the streams still winding between the canal and town. A mere 30 minutes by express to Euston, and a pilgrimage to the British Museum. The fine Assyrian carving c 600 BC, a protective spirit, near the gallery containing George III's library, a precious gift by his son to the fledgling museum.

On the journey down to London, we were delayed by the movement of floating work pontoons through the locks. We were fascinated to find these were being used in the installation of fibre optic cable - 18th C infrastructure assisting 21st C communications.

Today a rollicking journey into Paddington basin, with Oz friends joining our Swiss mates, the canal heading east, city apartments gradually displacing the rural landscape.

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