Little Venice Cavalcade - 30th April - 2nd May 2011

Friday 29th April the first boats have started to arrive ...

... this area of Little Venice is called the Pool

Four abreast along the towpath of Little Venice from Halfpenny Bridge

Meeting and greeting friends in this melange of colour

05:30 Saturday morning we loosed off the ropes and in stealth mode so as not to wake anyone we set off to get water; we're pretty desperate but don't want to lose our mooring space in the basin, hence the early start! All is peaceful by the waterpoint.

The sun is just starting to penetrate under the Horse Bridge ...

but no-one is about here.

Once filled we set off back to the basin and see the Wakeman's fuel boat moored - we'll catch up with him later for diesel.

It was rather a tight squeeze to go left through the gap and under the bridge right of centre

 Looking back at the colourful bunting in Little Venice Pool

7am - back now on Paddington Stone Wharf and the team staff are having a brew before the start of the cavalcade

 nearly 07:15 and still in stealth mode we cruise back into the basin ...

... past No Problem (http://noproblem.org.uk/blog/) who didn't hear a thing!
 10:30 and we're out walking with Sue and Vic from Narrowboat No Problem when see this pair of Scaup ducks.  (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/scaup/index.aspx)

 The stalls are all set up selling just about everything and the crowds have arrived...

... as has working narrowboat Archimedes - they have travelled day and some nights to reach here from Ellesmere Port in 5 days and 9 hours!

Egyptian Geese  (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/e/egyptiangoose/index.aspx)

 21:30 - the procession of illuminated boats ...

 ... not fantastic pictures however, but the effect is unmistakable - brilliant!

 Walking back to our moorings, the procession has turned in the basin and is heading back this way ...

 ... the basin is all lit up and here comes the last illuminated boat which carried the happy newly weds and the archbishop in the bow!!

 Sunday saw part 1 of the boat handling competition; this is Sandra on Lynx an old line of working boats all named after constellations. There were 2 ladies who entered the competition and it was a lady who won the day - sorry I don't know who!

 Here NB Lynx shares her reversing space with the Lavender Boat which was collecting domestic rubbish from boats taking part in the cavalcade.

 Monday 2nd May - there's Sue taking piccies for her blog - (http://noproblem.org.uk/blog/)
and Morris dancers keeping the crowds entertained by the beer tent.
All in all the Little Venice Cavalcade was most enjoyable - something for everyone, boaters and non-boaters alike.  The stalls were plentiful and varied and appeared to be doing a roaring trade.

I managed to buy some lovely Bolivian textiles for bedcovers, cushion covers etc., and bags from the 'runamanta' stall who attend lots of events such as this in and around London. I love the vibrant colours.