Since we arrived, the temperature has steadily increased until today we are in the mid-80's. Tuesday is predicted to peak at 87! To counteract the heat, we decided on the Camden Lock Market followed by a boat ride on Regent's Canal.
Camden Lock Market and adjacent Stables Market occupy a sprawling network of industrial buildings, tunnels, and open-air tents. Food, wildly diverse clothing, masses of jewellery and as one guide book mentioned "loads of shite" compete for the attention of crowds of thousands. The food stalls get the most attention. We sat with a London couple who come to the market every Saturday to try something new for brunch. We chose a Japanese stall and while liking our lunch, are not exactly sure what it would translate to in English.
After a few hours of pushing through crowds in the heat, we gladly decided to find the London Water Bus. These boats are repurposed narrow boats from the days of hauling cargo up and down the canals.
Our 50-minute ride took us past the zoo followed by a few of the mansions of Regent's Park. We ended up in Little Venice. We spent a while wandering the canal there before heading to Paddington Station for our trip home. Our tube line was closed because of the Grenville Tower fire (fear of debris from the blackened building falling on the line) so we had a few changes before getting home. The first two trains were insufferably hot, the last, a newer car was air conditioned.
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| One of the first stall when we entered the maze of buildings |
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| Every stall had long queues. You then lean against railings to eat or if you were very lucky sat at tables. |
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| Spots for eating lunch spilled onto the paths beside the canal. These paths were once used by horses to haul the cargo boats up and down the canal. |
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| Venice Beach, cleaner and more upscale than Camden Town. These narrow boats are permanent homes. |
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