London bound

We are planning one reasonable expedition this year. If the weather holds we plan to take Kalessin up the Thames to St Katharine Dock. We last attempted this in I think 2005, over Easter, when we had to bribe Guy to come with us. We left SYH at 3am hoping to do the whole passage in one go. We were beaten back by a ferocious westerly which stopped us making progress up the Thames. Somewhere just beyond Southend Pier I looked at Sam, who was outside in the cockpit getting drenched - did I mention the pouring rain? He'd clearly had enough, so we turned tail and ran for the Medway, and spent a pleasant couple of days in Chatham.

This time we plan to spend a night at Queenborough and if all goes to plan reach St Kats on 31 July. As crew we'll have Andy Roe, with whom I have sung in Rough at the Edges for many years, and - work permitting - his son Sym.

Watch this space....