The End of the Arm

The Arm ends rather abruptly at a street in Wendover.  It is fed by a chalk stream.  The water from the stream is cascading into the Arm in the middle of the photo.

That's it, we have completed the Grand Union Canal Walk and all the arms on the Southern Section.  We even walked along an arm of an arm as the Regent's Canal comes off the Paddington Arm.

We have really enjoyed our walks and we can't believe how lucky we have been with the weather.  We have walked on 19 days and it has only rained on 3 of the days and only for a short time on 2 of the 3.  We can't complain about the weather this summer!  South Oxfordshire Canal next year?

Seven Swans a-Swimming

There really were seven of these swans swimming in single file through the reeds into a lovely reed-free part of the Arm which was already being enjoyed by lots of ducks.

The Wides

This part of the Arm is called the Wides and it certainly is a lot wider than the Narrows!

Reedy Canal

There were a lot of reeds on this part of the Arm and our book had said that we would find pike basking among the reeds.  They were not so much basking as hiding very successfully.

Halton Village

We had to cross the road here and then return to the canal.  There were some lovely properties here.

Haunted Wood

As we were going past RAF Halton there was a loud noise coming from this wood.  Catherine thought it sounded like a train but there was no railway in sight.  It was probably the wind blowing through the branches but it was a little bit spooky.

The Narrows

This tree-lined part of the Arm is called the Narrows for obvious reasons.

Water Fowl

Our book promised us water fowl in the clear waters.  Not sure if ducks count or whether water fowl are usually a bit more exotic.  The ducks were enjoying the clear water anyway.

More Water

The end of a dry bit with orange fencing where they have been working on the bank.

Back at the Canal

Here we are back at the canal.  As you can see there is no water in this part of the Arm.  The Wendover Arm Trust are working hard to restore this arm but can only do a little bit each year so it will be a long time before it is navigable for the entire length.

Sheep Alert

Our way now involved going over a hill through a field to rejoin the canal after it had gone around a bend.  We have luckily encountered few animals on this Grand Union Canal Walk but there were lots of sheep in this field; at least they weren't cows!

The End of the Line

This is where we ran out of canal and path.  We didn't know what to do as there really wasn't any useful signs but luckily two cyclists came along who knew the way.  Our book had said that the Wendover Arm was a detour well worth taking for boaters - we weren't so sure as boats can't go far and have the difficult turn at the end.

New Bridge

Unlike the bridge over the Thames at Newbridge which was built several centuries ago this really is a new bridge built in 2001 to replace one demolished in 1973 because the canal was out of use.

Staircase To .....

Probably these steps are really for boaters who moor up before the bridge otherwise they did seem pretty pointless.

The Start of the Wendover Arm

It is a bit of a challenge for boats coming out of the Arm and turning left as they have a lock straight after they turn.

A fairly narrow but inviting stretch of water.

Not Quite the Wendover Arm

This is actually Bulbourne and this is as near as Brendan could get by car to the Wendover Arm.  After a bit of debate which involved turning the book upside down we set off in the right direction to find the Wendover Arm.  By the way this is two walks in two days. 

Heading in the Direction of the Paddington Basin

We met up with Debbie, Carmelo and Josephine at Little Venice and took them to see the Paddington Basin and then went to eat at the same pub we had eaten at when we walked to the Paddington Basin before.  A very pleasant evening after a very pleasant walk.

The End of the Regent's Canal

The sun had been with us all day but it was beginning to get a bit chilly now.

Des Res

There were some lovely properties in the Regent's Park area.

London Zoo Aviary

The next major sight along the canal was the Snowdon Aviary alongside the canal.  No herons or cormorants though.

Camden Lock

Camden Lock with all it's market stalls and eating places was absolutely heaving with lots of young people (and a few not so young) enjoying the food and the ambience.

Islington

This is the start of the Islington Tunnel which, of course, we couldn't walk through.  We had to go up and over the tunnel which involved walking through a shopping centre.  To start with there were signs on the pavement but then they disappeared and we weren't sure if we were going the right way but eventually we got back onto the towpath.

An Attractive Inlet

There were a few inlets along the way but this one was probably the most attractive.

Amelia's Office

That's where Amelia works.

Well somewhere in that building anyway.

Grand Designs

An interesting extension - not exactly in the style of the original house.  It is made of very reflective materials as it looks like we are walking in front of the extension but we are really on the opposite bank!

Unwelcome Notice

We had to take a detour here but as they are currently demolishing a building alongside the canal it is probably as well that we did.  It wouldn't have been good to be hit by falling masonry.

Here we are returning to the canal after our detour.

Canary Wharf

A view of Canary Wharf from the canal.

Our Friend Returns

Our friend the heron was back to say hello.

Green Algae

We had heard about problems of green algae but this was the first time we had seen a lot of it.

The Start of the Canal

Ready to walk along the Regent's Canal - now we have found the right bit of water!

The Limehouse Basin

After travelling as far as Canary Wharf by tube we encountered the closure of the DLR and a bus replacement service.  Catherine and Angela had had enough of bus on rail replacement (well we did it once) so we got a taxi to Limehouse.  The taxi driver was better at roads than canals.  He thought he had dropped us off in the correct place but we had a bit of a walk to find the Limehouse Basin/start of the Regent's Canal.

On our way to the basin we spotted this flag which was flying at half mast because it was the anniversary of the death of Lord Nelson.

Another sunny day although colder than our other walking days.  The four of us are walking today.

We had to be careful here as the Limehouse Cut also empties into the basin but after a bit of investigation we found the correct way to go.

Here is the Limehouse Cut heading towards Canary Wharf.