Following the launch of our Afternoon Teas, supplied by the highly acclaimed Beas of Bloomsbury, I was interested in Bea’s latest development, [...]]]> I dare say I know the Little Venice and the canals of London quite well, but I still discover new fascinating areas of London.

Following the launch of our Afternoon Teas, supplied by the highly acclaimed Beas of Bloomsbury, I was interested in Bea’s latest development, Beas Diner in the Maltby Street area. So last Saturday, with a couple of hours to spare before setting the boat up, I took the tube over to London Bridge where its a short walk to Maltby Street.

Arrving early I wasn’t too sure what I was supposed to be looking at. No vibrant street market, but a row of railway arches housing anything from used tyre depots to breweries. It doesn’t get much more varied than that!

Before 9am it was difficult to find anything open so when I spotted the Monmouth Coffee Company I was straight in there for a freshly made latte and croissant. When I say Freshly made, it can’t be more fresh, as this is their coffee roasting factory during the week, while on Saturday mornings it opens to the public as a coffee shop with mountains of very high quality croissants and pastries piled up on the counter. Standing by the coffee roasting machines and observing the growing crowd, appearing from nowhere only minutes after the doors opened, it was obvious that something very special is happening here. Next door the wine shop was dusting down their tables, not quite open yet, while round the corner people were appearing with their selection from an amazing range of specialised breads from the St Johns Bakery in the adjacent Druid Street arches.

Almost next door is Beas Diner, where a busy staff were setting up – and Bea hersef working hard in the open kitchen, conjuring up plates of buttermilk pancakes and the biggest fluffiest French toast imaginable, topped with roasted strawberries and fresh cream. I do wish I hadn’t had that croissant earlier!

Only three hours later, Bea’s twitter feed told us that the diner was closed, after selling our of everything. What a success story! And whilst this activity is all limited to Saturdays only, at night Beas diner makes the most of the day and turns into a popup cinema, showing classic movies accompanied by Beas cooking. If you come to see Breakfast at Tiffanys on May 29th don’t forget to make room for some of that French toast!!

Bigger surprise still was the appearance of the first goslings of the year hatched by our resident pair of Egyptian geese here in Little Venice. They are looking wonderful in the sunshine!

Have you left it too late to organise a suprise for your Valentine? Not at the time of writing, as we are still able to offer an unforgettable private candle-lit cruise for just the two of you and if you hurry you can [...]]]> Its only a few days until St Valentines Day.

Have you left it too late to organise a suprise for your Valentine? Not at the time of writing, as we are still able to offer an unforgettable private candle-lit cruise for just the two of you and if you hurry you can still book the prime slot on Tuedsday 14th February evening.

Be quick and it can be yours! Give us a call to discuss your plans and lets see if we can make them come true! For just the two of you we will half the price – YES HALF PRICE – so that’s just 120 pounds for two hours and to finish the day off let us recommend a romantic local restaurant.

Many passengers ask whether I get bored with the same stretch of canal between Little Venice and Camden and I always answer NO! Every trip is different and despite seeing the same scenery there are often new things to see. Yesterday I was therefore delighted to spot [...]]]> Today we saw a woodpecker in Regents Park.

Many passengers ask whether I get bored with the same stretch of canal between Little Venice and Camden and I always answer NO! Every trip is different and despite seeing the same scenery there are often new things to see. Yesterday I was therefore delighted to spot a flash of the green/yellow back of a woodpecker in the gardens of the canalside villas. It disappeared round the back of a tree trunk so it was only a fleeting glimpse.

We got a better view today when one of our passengers pointed it out – more or less in the same place. How exciting – I hope we see it again soon but chances of getting a photo aren’t good. I’ll keep you updated! We can now add this to the numerous types of wildlife living on and around the canal in London!

Jason has operated as a passenger boat from Little Venice to Camden since 1951 and so this [...]]]> Whenever you take a trip through Little Venice you are sure to see Jason, a wonderful old narrowboat built in 1904 as a horse drawn boat but long since fitted with a diesel engine and carrying passengers as cargo.

Jasons Trip, Little Venice

Jason has operated as a passenger boat from Little Venice to Camden since 1951 and so this year is celebrating its 60th anniversary.  For the last three years I have been lucky enough to be one of Jason’s skippers standing in the shoes of so many before me as by very rough calculation, since 1951 Jason has done the round trip journey from Little Venice to Camden and back some 35,000 times!!!

I’m sure there will be more press coverage, but here’s a start from today’s Westminster Chronicle: Narrowboat Company Marks Milestone and a link to Jasons Website.

If anyone plans a last minute visit to Jason you need to be quick as this is the last weekend of operation until next season, but if you make it on Friday do say hello… it will be me steering!

So there are going to be some changes but customer feedback has been [...]]]> Hi from Canal and River Cruises, or should I say Canal and River Cruises Ltd because we are in the process of a company relaunch. Since mid September we have been under new management after a most successful 5 years of trading.

So there are going to be some changes but customer feedback has been great, so the existing prices and boat charter plans will stay.

First thing to change is the website. Launched today, 30th October, I hope you will find this straightforward to use and would welcome any comments to help me make it better by the day.

Parties of up to 12 are [...]]]> Canal and River Cruises Ltd are a private charter boat operator in central London, and specialise in day trips on the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals amidst the calm of Little Venice and Regent’s Park and the hustle and bustle of Camden with its world famous Camden Lock Market.

Parties of up to 12 are most welcome to hire our narrowboat from a couple of hours to a whole day. Why not book our boat for your party and bring your own food and drinks along, or choose one of our menus for a special occasion. Or ask us for a guided tour of London’s canals and learn about the history and local life onboard the waterways.

Let us collect you from Paddington Station or Little Venice, St. Johns Wood or Camden or for something different, we can offer tours from Greenford, Perivale, Alperton, Acton, Park Royal, Kensall Rise, Ladbroke Grove, Islington, London Canal Museum, City Road or even as far as Limehouse and Stratford to see the site of the London 2012 Olympics.