Bates boat

The boat show – can you smell the possibilities?

As regular readers of this column will know, this is the time of year when I get really excited – because the London Boat Show is about to open its doors.

Key to unlocking lock dilemma

As regular readers of this column will be aware, I’ve often expressed doubts about the Environment Agency’s decision not to replace resident lock keepers on the Thames and to rent out their empty houses to the public.

The Thames in all its glory

Many people take the River Thames for granted. It’s something that folk walk beside, drive over, fish in or navigate upon very regularly – and like so many things that we see every day, it is easy to let the river merge into the background of our busy hustle and bustle lifestyles.