As they say, time and tide wait for nobody and so we were up at oh 4:30 again to escape the clutches of Gravesend Marina and were greeted on deck by Andy (Mr do-it-all!) with a very cheery 'morning!' As we let ourselves drift away from the wall and prepared to go out of the lock and into the Thames on the morning high (tide). A short trip to the Riva Pontoon and, after tying up and a refreshing cuppa and obligatory biscuit we all crashed out for an hour or so.

Up again just before eight to spruce ourselves up for THE passage of the trip - to go up the Thames. What did we expect? What did we remember from days gone by? (not a lot)!!!

We motored into strong winds nearly all the way -past sailing/ yacht clubs at Thurrock,Erith and Greenwich. We went under the QE2 Bridge, we talked to London VTS on the VHF, we went through Foxtrot span of the Tidal Barrier - our cameras and phones were getting exhausted at having to work so hard! We went past Phoenix Timber at Rainham where JJ once worked, past The Royal Albert Dock where Ali's Daddy used to work and past Barclays' (for whom we all used to work) new Headquarters.

Then we saw the Millennium Dome with its brand new cable cars that have only just started working - not sure its even open yet! By this time we'd 'cheesed' for the cameras so many times that Wallace would be really proud of us!

Another bend in the river and the wonderful vista of Tower Bridge opened up. Quick, get the
cameras! The sun and wind didn't totally play ball -but we managed a triumphant team photo before entering St Katherine Docks!

We were soon joined by Ian's
daughter, Rosie, and her other half Nick. A very pleasant evening followed, involving drinks at the local Dickens Inn, and a meal at Cafe Rouge.