ON the Thames

We began our winter half-term break on Valentine's Day on the Thames thanks to my wonderful friend Jean Sailer. Along with a beautiful birthday cup cake tea towel, she sent me a Travel and Leisure article on the newest hotels in London. Buried deep amongst the gorgeous £850 per nighters was a tiny great value listing.  One had to read carefully to comprehend that Klasina is a boat.

The hi-rise bank buildings of London's financial district loom up behind Klasina.

A decommissioned Dutch canal barge, Klasina is now anchored at Canary Warf.

Behind the barges anchored in Blackwell Basin sits the O2 (originally constructed as the Millennium Dome).

We climb aboard and enter the pilot house.

Looking forward from the pilot house.
The opening for the stairway to the owner's quarters is on the lower left.

On the other side of the pilot house (behind Eric above) is a hatch...

...that opens up to...

...our quarters below.  The handle above the doorway makes navigating the ladder much easier.

The years that Mark and Polly, the boat's owners, have spent in the design business (Conrans, Habitat, Anthropologie) is reflected in the perfect outfitting of our small space. 

Notice how the floorboard line behind me rises.  Not an illusion.
As does the rear of the boat, the floor slopes upwards on either side of the bed.

One bitchin' cuckoo clock.

Sink reminiscent of Bentley basement. 

Porthole view. 

Boo!

Breakfast was served in the pilot house on a warm and sunny morning.

Giant poodle Teddy made the climb up the stairs to make new friends.
Me after Run 46.

The breakfast choices were hard...

Started with rhubarb and goat's milk yoghurt.

Eric's smoked haddock with poached egg.

My bacon and tomatoes. We switched half way through.

Mark is studying for his final barge pilot exam. In French. Their plan is to cruise the canals of France taking on guests from time to time to contribute to expenses.  For now they are testing the guest aspect of this plan.  If you are ever in need of a good sleep (think slight sway, lapping waters, river breeze on a fantastically comfortable bed and no JJ, not at all cold) or are even considering the Olympic madness that will be London come August, may we suggest Klasina?

Onwards, through the Chunnel.