Surviving Falmouth International Shanty Festival.

Hectic and totally exhausting, but we wouldn't have missed it. Lots of old friends caught up with, but even more missed due to the requirements of programming. However; the opportunity to sing, and spend time, with our Polish friends is worth some sacrifice.

We arrived back on our floating home and flopped (early) into bed; for 12 glorious hours of sleep!!!

This morning (Tuesday) we departed the environs of Kings Cross Station, for the quieter rurality of Northeast London; on the River Lea. In our quest to explore as much as we (practicably) can of the U.K. waterways, we're heading towards Hertford (up the River Lea) and Bishops Stortford (up the River Stort). This should occupy us for about a week, whilst we gird our loins - and "screw our courage to the sticking place" (the Scottish play, Act 1, Scene 7) in the prospect of venturing our craft out into the Pool of London. Many are the horror stories of narrowboats having close-encounters with the heedless tour-boats!!! However; the prospect of taking our cockleshell under Tower Bridge

and several other famous bridges; is worth a bit of risk.

A polemic rant: about the achievements of Trades Unions; during one of my sets in Falmouth; was so well received that I'm (seriously) considering starting my own political party (and standing as a candidate in the next General Election) ... the NOTA party. That will be the 'None of the Above' party! Who's with me???

I'm now going to lie down in a cool, darkened room!