Colour - # 120/2011

Detail of rudder and rope "fender" on canal barge, moored at Little Venice, on Grand Union  Canal, Paddington, London.

The dog in the jacket - # 45/10

Continuing the series of people, animals and water-borne homes at Kingston we have the dog wearing his regulation British/European/International Standard Compliant life jacket.  It is a very hot day. The brollies are to keep the sun off. The villa in the background is the one seen from a distance in yesterday's "train crossing bridge" shot.

Barge paradise - # 42/10

There's no denying it.  The converted barges moored alongside what were once the old Kingston industrial wharves for wood, coal, leather and brewers' malt and barley are much loved and well cared for homes. They make a colourful show at any time of year. 

Your private world? Your choice - # 08/36

So which would you choose? A barge on the main Thames river channel, or something locked deep inside this 200 yr old canal wharf, surrounded by the "old stuff" and the encroaching saplings and bushes?

Your benefit will be the wonderful impact of the sunset hitting the derelict building and reflecting back into the water. The basin faces south, so you are assured of some extra warmth at noon. But those English Novembers and Februaries are sure to be rather damp.

I took several snaps trying to catch the golden reflection, the shadows and the shining mud, and the green mould on the bricks. It was hard to capture it all, but this version makes the point. The colourful barges always help. But I fear it's less romantic than it looks.

Camera: Olympus C7070 WZ

The ship of delights part 2- # 08/22

......and here we are amidships, admiring the civilised layout and the Oriental treatment of sundeck! Enjoy the tiny but perfect model rowing boat (as well as the rest of it!).

The ship of delights: everything you could ever want - # 08/21

This barge caught my eye. I was attracted to the sight of "absolutely everything" being available, right down to noticing three types of exhaust outlets. Further along, amidships, it becomes even more interesting...................................

Time and tide - # 08/07

Morning mist is still thick and the tide is out. Beyond the derelict old motor barge you can see a curving silver streak. It is a small monument marking a "significant event". This is the point where the River Brent enters the the Thames. Tomorrow I will show you why it's "significant".

Camera: Olympus E3