We're not in London anymore, Toto!

Heading North on the River Lea, we passed under the M25 (London Orbital motorway). Although we had been in fairly rural scenery for a while, there was an almost palpable sense of difference.

Here's Lyn - needing the hat, even in this British summer - stooging quietly along, with the M25 less than 2 miles behind her, and Central London only 9 miles away!

What are the poor people doing today?

This garden could be in California, but the house could only be in Britain.

Who needs a lawn mower?

My granddad told me he worked on this when it was being built at Harland and Wolff!!!

 We've arrived in Bishop's Stortford, where we're being lazy. All that pushing on 
 balance beams and winding windlasses is certainly getting us fit and keeping us trim,

Talking of Granddads ... 

but NOT pushing and winding for a while is quite pleasurable as well!

We've gathered more good advice and information about navigating through the Pool of London, and - taking into account tides, lock-opening times and river traffic - we're now planning our locking-out; through Limeshouse Lock; for early on Thursday morning. Our friends: Phil and Pat Marlow-Mann; have volunteered to be our extra crew, for the 15-mile trip up the 'tidal Thames'.

I haven't put our 'locks and miles' progress, recently. I'll catch up on that (if anyone's interested) at a later date. All for now - more later. Tom and Lyn.