Little Venice to Camden Market

A planned day out to meet up with our youngest started out with a hiccup. Our train which should have been four carriages was only two and we couldn't get on. So we jumped on the next train which should have been six carriages but was only four and very full. Jill and I resorted to sitting on the luggage racks which thankfully were hardly being used. So while a few minutes late we arrived in London and made our way to Little Venice in readiness for our canal trip to Camden Town Market. 



Of course after all the glorious weather it chose to rain but at least we would be inside the canal boat.



Well we can cope with a little rain and what a delightful place to start a day out.



So with a coffee in hand we were treated to a gentle cruise with some information given with humour on route by our guide, not sure everyone on board got the jokes. Fascinating to go by the houses of the rich and famous and of course all  the boats moored serving as homes.















So all was going well except the engine sounded a bit rough. Then came the news "I'm ever so sorry but we have broken down" The boat was pulled to the side by our guide stopping near a bridge. "This has never happened before" We were informed. Well we could wait for the next boat to come along but it may well be full, or you can disembark and catch the 27 just on the bridge and you will get your money back. So after 25 minutes of a 45 minute boat cruise we resorted to the bus to get us to Camden Market. 

Camden Market is a bustling area of shops and food and by this time being hungry we went to explore the various foods on offer. We ended up with Afghanistan wraps which were delicious. 







Then a mooch around the various stalls and then a pause for coffee with Portuguese custard tarts 'Pastel de Nata'.






Heading home we thought we would play it safe and ensure we got on the train and sit in a quiet carriage!!
Our previous journey had seen a man on a phone talking so loudly it really was annoying and we also had the 'pleasure' of two women one of whom had was clearly the worst for a day drinking. 

So of course we found a quiet carriage only to have to put up with a man talking to a friend going on and on and on and this was before the train got going. When the train left the station I hoped he would stop but no of course he didn't. Eventually unable to read my book for the noise I politely asked him to tone it down. Amazingly he said "oh sorry" and very briefly stopped before starting again but more quietly. He went on and on and on. Then the man sitting opposite me wearing head phones took them off and asked him to stop talking as he could still hear him, and if he wanted to talk why not go and find a carriage where you can talk. Well the man kicked off about how he had been spoken to and he wasn't going to stop, a quiet carriage doesn't mean you can't talk etc etc etc. The woman opposite to Jill chipped in he was talking too loudly and it became heated. The man's friend got up and left the carriage leaving him with no one to talk to about 'nothing' and you can sense we all felt serves you right. Eventually he got off the train and our group of four sighed with relief and a certain camaraderie. 

In spite of a few hiccups it was a delightful day and I hope many more will follow in retirement.





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