Of Boats and Cauldrons...

As I walked into work today there was a hint of something happening... after all how often do you get strategically placed bobbies on a bridge?...

The giant inflatable alien in Furnivall gardens was something of a clue to what might be happening later...

Just after 10am I pulled myself together, popped the phone on voice-mail, picked up my brolly (how typically British!) and headed out of the office to nab a "good spot" on the riverbank, right outside furnivall sculling club...

It really did seem as though every vantage point was occupied, front row were the Riverboat owners...

And Snazzy brollies were certainly in vogue

 The Harbour Master's boat provided an early tantalising tease of what might be about to arrive...

Then we saw the Gloriana peaking round the bend from Chiswick...

and it gradually got closer and closer...

Look you can even see the flame!! wheeee!!!

and closer ...

And then it was almost close enough to touch...

No sooner was it there...than it was past

Gotta love the way they folded the flags down to get under the bridge 'cos the tide was in...

Byeeee...

And then along came the flotilla rowing boats behind...

What fun! - I even got a wave from the counter terrorism police...

But next time I'm hiring a riverboat and drinking champagne as it goes by...

Who's coming to join me?

For the arial view go to the BBC Torch Cam - look for 27th July and watch 10:27 to about 10:30 - I'm the one waving wildly at the camera on the chopper...