This is the canal boat Helix — we chartered it for a day-trip exploring London’s Regent’s Canal. Britain’s 
canal navigation system has been in place since Roman times. The major canals were opened during the reign of George III (1760-1820). The canals were used for commercial transportation until the age of the train. Many of the railroad lines overlie where the canals used to be, but happily some have been left for pleasure use.
It was a beautiful cruise. There wasn’t very much river traffic and for most of the trip the canal is hidden from view of everyone up on the streets and bridges above. It is something special to be cruising along at a slow pace, enjoying the views and the quiet, while actually being right in the middle of this huge city.
Some people live aboard their boats. Sometimes in a canal boat facility and sometimes just along the canal-
side. The boats range from small and perfectly made and maintained to actually quite decrepit.
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Here are a few more views as we traveled along the canal:
Coming out of the thousand yard long tunnel shortly after we started.
Traveling under a bridge
The Pirate’s Castle is a youth club that provides boating opportunities for underprivileged kids. In several places along the canal we could see (up above us) some of the not-so-nice parts of the City — blocks of Council Flats and run-down areas.
Passing the London Zoo in Regent’s Park. On the right is the Zoo’s aviary.
Moored — you can see how narrow the canal is.———————
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In this picture, we are passing under a gourmet restaurant on the canal. We didn’t need it, because our hosts provided us with our own wonderful three-course dinner aboard the Helix. This after, earlier in the day, a welcome aboard champagne toast, mid-morning coffee and croissants and a few other snacks here and there — water travel makes you so hungry!
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Alex and Jenny Nunes own the Helix. Marcus was their hired pilot for the trip. Alex and Jenny have owned the boat for many years (he is a licensed pilot and a canal historian, she’s a gourmet cook). When they retired, they decided to have a second career with their boat. They run a maximum of three chartered cruises a week.
The plate (inside the Helix’ cabin) commemerates their trip clear around the London Canal system — a 27 hour non-stop trip.
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We had a great time spending the day on the canal.
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