The trouble one has finding a mooring!

Having moored last night on the Tesco 24 hour moorings and then noticed it was a Tesco 24 open all hours store and then suddenly realising, after we had moored and settled down to our meal, that a small plastic cruiser in front of us had a generator, which, incidently, he started up and kept going well into the late evening, we started to wish that we had turned right through Bulls Bridge Junction and found a more peaceful mooring. With little sleep to be had because of lorry deliveries, generator noise, car noise and motorbikes roaring at all times of the night we got up very early, did a early Tesco shop and was away before you could say Jack Robinson. Paddington was a good 13 miles away and we hoped to reach our destination before lunch. We have always held the theory that moorings would become available between 11am and noon. There was no chance of reaching Little Venice before lunch as it seemed the nearer we got to Paddington the more continues moorers were around. Mile upon mile of static boats with rubbish piled along the route. Ian had another theory. The boats that were evicted from the Bow Back Rivers because of the Olympics had now found another place to stay and mess up the towpath! Anyway, as we expected Little Venice was chocker block. Not a space to be had with most boats doubled up. Onwards then into Paddington basin and right by the bridge 'ole... a space.  We did overhang the 'ole somewhat but assumed boats would be able to get by. Ian wasn't happy though, and off he went to see if any of the pontoons were free. Eureka. Ian came back to say two of the inner pontoons were empty so we hastily made our way further into the basin, winded, and by 2pm we were finally moored. We did have one slight issue with these moorings. No grass for Jade to go and do her hurry ups on, being all concrete paving. Nothing for it but to have a walk to see if we could find a dog friendly area. Sure enough 100yds away and having to cross two main roads, we found a small park with a dog bin. Result. We returned to the boat just in time before the forecasted rain appeared. I feel so sorry for those boaters who are still coming down the arm looking for a mooring. They wont have a hope in hell of getting moored up before Victoria Park on the Regents canal!

Not sure if the bridge 'oles are tall enough

A glimpse of Wembly stadium

Duck weed covers the canal all the way into Little Venice

Ian walking Jade back. We are moored furthest away, middle section of the pontoon

And finally:-

Fledgeling Heron

With what I assumed was one of it's parents nearby

Green Veined White

Comma butterfly

As above