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Regional Campaigns

NORTH EAST COAST REGION

 Carole Zagrovic (NE Regional Campaigns Co-ordinator) 
Contact - Carole Zagrovic
Address - 63 Seaton Crescent, Staithes, North Yorkshire TS13 5AY
Telephone - 01947-841233
Email - carole.zagrovic@foe.co.uk
Issues - Carole lives in Staithes and is particularly concerned about the quality of the sea bathing waters there - see relevant page on MARINET website for details www.marinet.org.uk/ukbw/gbeachg.html#yorkshire. She is also concerned by the levels of pollution in the River Tees and its estuary which are caused by local industries. In addition, she has kept a close eye on the impact of the waste arising from the "ghost ships" from the USA which have been brought to the area for breaking-up.

 Durham Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Clare Stancliffe
Address - 216 Gilesgate, Durham DH1 1QN
Telephone - 0191-383 2634
Email - C.E.Stancliffe@durham.ac.uk
Meetings - Please contact Clare Stanclife
Issues - Campaigning for an effective UK Marine Bill which will deliver extensive highly protected marine reserves.

 George Berry 
Address - 261 Sewerby Road, Bridlington, Yorkshire YO16 6TL
Telephone - 01262-673660
Email - george_berry@hotmail.co.uk
Issues - Particularly concerned about the pollution at Sewerby Steps, Bridlington, where there is an industrial discharge outfall pipe.

 Hull Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Hull FOE Co-ordinator: Sue Jolliffe
Marine Contact: Alan Tharratt
Address - Sue Jolliffe: 47 Kingsway, Cottingham, Hull HU16 5BB
Alan Tharratt: 40 14th Avenue, Greenwood Ave, Hull HU6 9LJ
Telephone - Sue Jolliffe: 01482 845958
Email - Sue Jolliffe: sue@jolliffe.karoo.co.uk
Alan Tharratt: alan.tharratt@care4free.net
Meetings - Please contact Sue Jolliffe for details.

 Robert Latimer (Affiliate Member) 
Contact - Robert Latimer
Address - Shell Hill, Bents Road, Whitburn, Tyne and Wear SR6 7NT
Telephone - 0191-529 2276
Email - robert@latimers.com
Issues - Robert Latimer has a strong interest in local marine pollution issues. In particular, the quality of local bathing waters, sewage pollution and the disposal of waste at sea, including the dumping at sea of contaminated marine sediment from the Port of Tyne.

 Seaham Environmental Association (SEA) 
Contact - Harry Clark MBE, Executive Vice-President
Address - 2 Cairnside, Seaham, Co. Durham SR7 0LR
Telephone - 0191-581 3309
Email - rob.reyn581@tiscali.co.uk
Website - www.hometown.aol.co.uk/seahamenvass
Meetings - Please contact Harry Clark for details.
Issues - Seaham Environmental Association is particularly concerned about the sewage pollution of local beaches and bathing waters. The area has inadequate sewage treatment facilities although these have, in theory, already been paid for but are still awaited. Sewage and sewage-related detritus is to be encountered on the beaches which have been declared to be "safe" and to have "passed" EU Bathing Water Directive standards.
Additional issues of concern to the Association are local fisheries, protection of cetaceans and marine mammals, industrial pollution, radioactive pollution and beach clean-ups and, in particular, disposal of minewater.

For full details of Seaham Environmental Association's ongoing campaigns and concerns see their website at www.hometown.aol.co.uk/seahamenvass

 North Tyneside Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Tim Watson
Address - 68 Falmouth Road, Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE6 5NT
Telephone - 0191-2651812
Email - variedthrush@hotmail.com
Meetings - Please contact Tim Watson for details.
Issues - Our Group has about 4 miles of north-east coastline with a voluntary marine reserve. Also, a fishing port/village with a history of inshore fisheries and a once thriving deep sea industry.
Our members are involved in regular surveys of coastline birds, and are available to count dead birds/cetaceans if necessary. We liaise with a university marine laboratory in the area, and we are up to date with developments relating to seabird conservation nationally and internationally e.g. albatrosses. We also have a member who has a deep interest in inshore fisheries and their communities.
Additionally, we monitor water quality, industrial fishing, sea temperature change, and marine aggregate dredging. If these or any other marine/coastal issue interests you, please get in touch with us.

EAST COAST REGION

 CoastNet (Affiliate member) 
Contact - Dr. Theresa Redding
Address - The Gatehouse, Rowhedge Wharf, High Street, Rowhedge, Essex CO5 7ET
Telephone - 01206-728644
Email - admin@coastnet.org.uk
Website - www.coastnet.org.uk
Issues - CoastNet's mission is to safeguard the world's coast and those communities of people and wildlife that depend upon it for their future. To do this CoastNet works with all coastal interests to promote the exchange of ideas, information and expertise to find long term solutions.

 Great Yarmouth Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Gt. Yarmouth FOE Co-ordinator: Anne Purchase-Walker
Gt. Yarmouth FOE MARINET contact: Mike King
Telephone - Anne Purchase-Walker: 07931-556712
Mike King: 07747-698482
Email - Anne Purchase-Walker: annepurchase-walker@ukonline.co.uk
Mike King: m.king.insp.safety@totalise.co.uk
Meetings - Please contact Anne Purchase-Walker for details.
Issues - Great Yarmouth FOE has a Coastal Concern Action Group whose Head Campaigner is Mike King.
The Coastal Concern Action Group campaigns against the intense offshore aggregate dredging along the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline.
The Action Group believes and has collected evidence which shows that this activity accelerates coastal erosion, although Defra and the Environment Agency deny this.
The Action Group is also opposed to the continued government (Defra) lack of funding for coastal defence work.
As an island nation with a small land mass and a large population the Coastal Concern Action Group believes that coastal defences should be given a top priority by the UK Government.
Contact Mike King - via email address above - for additional information.

 Mid-Essex Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Maike Windhorst
Address - Mount Holly, Castledon Road, Downham, Essex CM11 1LH
Telephone - 01268-733163
Email - m.windhorst@mountholly.telinco.co.uk
Meetings - Please contact Maike Windhorst
Issues - Mid-Essex FOE concentrate on Zero Waste and transport. However, part of our area is singled out by the Environment Agency as a flood risk area, namely the Blackwater and Colne estuaries and the Roach and Crouch estuaries. Some of the sea defences in these areas have been given up to create wildlife areas, and we have an interest in these decisions.

 Norwich Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Jennifer Parkhouse, Norwich FOE Co-ordinator
Address - 42/46 Bethel Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1NR
Telephone - 01603-427767
Email - foenorwich@hotmail.com
Meetings - Please contact the co-ordinator for details.
Issues - Norwich FOE is particularly concerned with marine aggregate dredging offshore from Great Yarmouth and the impact that this activity has on the erosion of the beaches and coastline in East Anglia, along with its impact on local fisheries and marine biodiversity. Also of concern is the quality of local bathing waters and the discharge of sewage which affects this quality. The specialist contact within Norwich FOE is Pat Gowen. He may be contacted by telephone or fax on 01603-402554, by SKYPE as PatGowen1932, or by email pat.gowen@ntlworld.com

 Shut Down Sizewell Campaign 
Contact - Peter Lanyon
Address - 3 Spencer Close, Little Plumstead, Norfolk NR13 5IE
Telephone - 01728-648300
Email - p.lanyon@tiscali.co.uk
Meetings - Please contact Peter Lanyon.
Issues - Coastal erosion and sea level rise on the Sizewell beach, and the effect of offshore aggregate extraction upon this.

SOUTH COAST REGION

 East Dorset Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Angela Pooley
Address - 22 Chigwell Road, Bournemouth BH8 9HW
Telephone - 07944-657982
Email - eastdorsetfoe@yahoo.co.uk
Meetings - Contact Angela Pooley for details

 Gosport and Fareham Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Ruth Borthwick
Address - 5 Osborn Road South, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 7DF
Telephone - 023-9258 1015
Email - ruthborthwick@hotmail.co.uk
Meetings - Please contact Ruth Borthwick for details.

 Guildford and Waverley Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Martin Thomas
Address - 8 Queens Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0HP
Telephone - 01252-687451
Email - martin.thomas99@ntlworld.com
Meetings - Please contact Martin Thomas for details

 Havant Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Sue Holt
Address - Wood Grange, Manor Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 0QL
Telephone - 02392-780943
Email - s.l.holt@btinternet.com
Issues - Beach clean-ups, nature conservation work which features biodiversity studies aimed at ensuring local authorities and companies stick to regulations. Also sea level issues, flooding and the effect on environmental concerns.
Meetings - Meetings held every 3rd Wednesday of month but do contact Sue Holt on 02392-780943 for confirmation.

 Manhood Peninsula Friends of the Earth (West Sussex) 
Contact - Gina Carrington
Address - Hope Cottage, Highleigh Road, Highleigh, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7NR
Telephone - 01243-641145
Email - ginac@berendon.fsnet.co.uk
Meetings - General Group Meetings are held quarterly and the Coastal Strategy Group meets once a month. Please contact Gina Carrington for details.
Issues - The Group is interested in all things to do with Coastal Strategy and Inshore Waters, with particular relevance to their area.
Other issues on which the Group is working at the present time are:-

• Fisheries, over-fishing and pair trawling for undersized bass in conjunction with a French conservation group
• Cetacean deaths
• Marine reserves
• Climate change
• Marine aggregate extraction
• Pollution

Please contact the Group if you would like to become involved in this work, or would just like more information.

 New Forest Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Sarah Fawkes
Address - 5 Lodge Road, Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 8HH
Telephone - 01590-675613
Email - info@nffoe.org.uk
Meetings - Please contact Sarah Fawkes
Website - www.nffoe.org.uk

 Portsmouth Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Caroline Scott
Address - 15 Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth PO4 8JN
Telephone - 023-922 91118
Meetings - Contact Caroline Scott for details.
Issues - Particularly concerned about dredging and the forthcoming big dredging application in Portsmouth and Langstone Harbour.

SOUTH WEST COAST REGION

 Clean Harbours 
Contact - David Evans
Address - 18 St.Thomas Street, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8JN
Telephone - 01326-372952
Email - bosunevans@hotmail.co.uk
Issues - Clean Harbours is a voluntary harbour cleaning (marine litter) group. David Evans has invested £5000 of his own money to buy a boat and equipment to enable him to collect floating litter and debris in Falmouth harbour. At the present time, Clean Harbours has had no success in securing funds from the usual sources, though the organisation has massive local (non-financial) support.
If you would like to help Clean Harbours, either physically or financially, please contact David Evans at the Clean Harbours address.

 Falmouth Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Betty Levene
Address - 30 Truro Lane, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8BW
Telephone - 01326-377447
Email - betty@chy-an-golvanas.wanadoo.co.uk
Meetings - These are held on the first Thursday of every month. The venue varies, so please contact Betty Levene for details.
Issues - The people of Falmouth are as dependent on our harbour and its bay as it is on us. Therefore our main focus revolves around protecting our harbour and its bay and its Special Area of Conservation (SAC) status.
A number of matters are of particular interest and concern. These are:-

• The proposal and dangers that may arise from ship to ship transfer of oil in Falmouth Bay - More information here
• The scheme to dredge a major channel in the harbour so that the biggest of cruise liners can make it to the quayside rather than mooring out in the Carrick Roads. Apparently US clients on board these vessels are squeamish about using tenders to shore. This scheme could be enormously damaging to marine habitats and shell-fisheries because the sediment on the harbour floor is heavily contaminated with metals from mining days.
• Local fisheries, especially the impact of scallop dredging.

 Geoffrey Young and Associates 
Address - Bickington Lodge House, Main Road, Bickington, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 2LJ
Telephone - 01271-375550
Meetings - Please contact Geoffrey Young
Issues - Fisheries, protection of cetaceans and marine mammals, and the extraction of aggregate (sand and gravel) from marine sources.

 South Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Christine Harding
Address - See website where the Co-ordinator, Membership Secretary and Campaigners can be contacted.
Website - www.southglosfoe.org.uk Meetings - Please contact the Co-ordinator for details.
Issues - South Gloucestershire FOE supports the work of MARINET, particularly the campaign to achieve recognition for the damage caused by marine aggregates extraction, and the monitoring and input to the proposed new Marine Bill.
Our current main campaign is 'Climate Change'. We are working closely with Agenda 21 and the Unitary Authority on sustainability issues which encompass Energy, Housing Growth, Road and Air Transport, Local Food and Non-GM Food. We cover a diverse area, including rural farming landscape and expanding market towns and villages, as well as the North Bristol fringe. We also have at least 15 miles of River Severn estuarine coastline, which includes Oldbury and Berkeley Nuclear Power stations. Berkeley is already decommissioned, Oldbury is closed due to safety concerns, but due for decommissioning in 2008-09. So plenty of campaigning issues here ! Please join us.

CHANNEL ISLANDS

 Jersey FOE 
Contact - Rob Duhamel
Address - 5 Douro Terrace, Le Mont Pinel, St Saviour, Jersey JE2 7RS
Telephone - 01534-724776
Meetings - Please contact Rob Duhamel for details

WELSH COAST REGION

 Barry & Vale Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Max Wallis
Address - 48 Westbourne Road, Penarth CF64 3HF
Telephone - 02920-210708
Email - k.stockdale@homecall.co.uk
Meetings - First Tuesday of each month - see www.foe.co.uk/app/localgroups?action=display&groupid=11315
Issues - Of major interest and concern is the proposed Severn Barrage for tidal power, seen as a development project that would severely damage the local area. Barry & Vale FoE has compared the barrage and alternatives for generating electricity from the tides, coming out in favour of MW-sized tidal stream generators. See www.marinet.org.uk/refts/severn.html
Barry & Vale FoE is also interested in upgrading the conservation status of the Severn Estuary upstream of the islands (SPA; delayed SAC, Ramsar site).
The group is concerned about sewage works by-pass discharges, which operate frequently at higher rainfall and probably cause significant bacterial loading at local bathing beaches. Welsh beaches are failing the Blue Flag standard (ie. three or more exceedances out of 20 samples per season) including Jacksons Bay, Barry and Southerndown near Ogmore in 2006. See www.marinet.org.uk/ukbw/gbeachg.html#welsh The failures are officially due to run-off from pastures carrying farm animals, but the Vale of Glamorgan has practically none.
Barry & Vale FoE also campaign on quarrying, arguing for the use of secondary aggregates (large stock of flyash; C&D waste) to replace quarried and dredged aggregates.

NORTH WEST COAST REGION

 Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Aidan Turner-Bishop
Address - 61 The Boulevard, Frenchwood, Preston, Lancashire PR1 4PH
Telephone - 01772-824154
Email -aidantb@phonecoop.coop
Website - www.foe-centrallancs.co.uk/
Meetings - Please contact Aidan Turner-Bishop for details.
Issues - Central Lancashire FOE is concerned about the following local issues:
Aggregate extraction from the seabed
Estuary development, particularly tidal barrages
Radioactive pollution
Industrial and sewage pollution
European (including Ireland and Isle of Man) issues
Wind farms, gas fields and energy issues
Birds and marine wildlife.

 Chester 
Contact - Ms. Viv Mountford (Affiliate member)
Telephone - 01244-317564
Issues - Pollution issues in the Mersey area.

 Isle of Man Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Isle of Man FOE Co-ordinator: Phil Corlett
Marine Contact: George Uhlenbroek
Address - Phil Corlett: Boxwood Cottage, 14 Victoria Place, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4ET
George Uhlenbroek: Glen House, The Dhoon, Isle of Man IM7 1HN
Telephone - Phil Corlett: 01624-673484
George Uhlenbroek: 01624-862633
Email - Phil Corlett: phil.corlett@manx.net
George Uhlenbroek: george@foe.org.im
Website - www.foe.org.im
Meetings - Please contact Phil Corlett for details.
Issues - Isle of Man FOE is currently giving close examination to the proposed airport runway extension which would take the form of a marine promontory. A key issue is the likely impact on the marine ecosystem and whether an adequate environmental impact assessment has been undertaken of the proposal.

 South Lakeland Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Margaret Sanders
Address - 28 Castle Crescent, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7AN
Telephone - 01539-740237
Email - margaret@goosander.demon.co.uk
Meetings - Contact Margaret Sanders for details
Issues - The group keeps a watching brief on radioactive pollution in the area and the marine environment and works in collaboration with Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment (CORE).
The Group is also involved in nature conservation surveys, has commissioned experts and has contributed to Cumbria's Biodiversity Action Plan.

 Southport FOE 
Contact - William Bethnuin or Lou Simans
Address - William Bethnuin, 13 Haig Avenue, Southport, Merseyside PR8 6LD
Lou Simans, 15 Dunkirk Road, Southport, Merseyside PR8 4QZ
Telephone - William Bethnuin, 01704-545924
Lou Simans, 01704-566184
Meetings - Contact William or Lou for details.
Issues - The Sefton Coast, which includes Southport, is noted for its sand dunes, fine beaches and extensive bathing waters, pine woods and its estuaries which support many wild birds. Southport FOE is concerned with the conservation of all of these natural features of the coast, and its members can advise on issues relating to conservation and pollution.

NORTHERN IRELAND COAST REGION

 Downpatrick Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Keith Bradford
Address - The Walled Garden, Finnebrogue, Downpatrick, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT30 9AA
Telephone - 02844-612260
Meetings - Please contact Keith Bradford

SOUTH INLAND REGION

 Milton Keynes Friends of the Earth 
Contact - Andrew Lockley
Address - 5 Park View, Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire MK16 9AD
Telephone - 07866-777823
Email - andrew@lockley.me.uk
Meetings - Please contact Andrew Lockley for details.
Issues - Milton Keynes is a large consumer of aggregates, and Milton Keynes FOE is interested in where they are sourced from and the associated environmental impact.

AFFILIATE MEMBERS

 Geoffrey Young 

This is an account of a voyage made during summer 2006 by Geoffrey Young, a MARINET affiliate member, in his catamaran.

Introduction:

Starfish is a forty foot NARAI CLASS catamaran designed by James Wharram. Built and launched from Douglas boatyard in Tarleton, Lancashire. She was then taken down the Douglas river to the port of Preston, from where she made her maiden voyage to Caernarfon.
The largest passage thus far has been from Newlyn to El Ferrol in N.W. Spain. She is a very comfortable boat to sail - a dry boat.
I intend to repeat the passage to northern Spain this year. To meander southwards from her home port of Bideford."

Passage to Milford Haven from Bideford, commenced Saturday 24th June 2006.

We cast off our moorings at 05.30h. Saturday the 24th June 06 to join a languid misty river and flowed with it over the bar out to a calm sunlit sea. With only light airs we dawdled through the day. Idle conversation. Had snacks. Dozed. Porpoises visited us. I do not know why they are attracted to boats, they surfaced and dived all round us for several minutes. Lovely creatures, very visible through the clear-clear water.

We are about half way across the mouth of the Bristol Channel. We have observed puffins, guillemots, gannets and a shoal of pale blue jellyfish. Two pilot whales surfaced some distance away, appeared twice and were gone. Now the breeze has stiffened and the sunset begins to take over the day. A beautiful sky. The Welsh coast is ahead and we have decided to make for Tenby where we anchor for the night, time approx 22.00h. Too late to go ashore so we make a meal. Cold chicken salad - fresh fruit yoghurt - red wine. So to sleep.

Sunday 25th June.

Weighed anchor 09.30h-ish and sailed between Caldy Island and the mainland to gain the tide for Milford Haven. A blue day and a fresh wind. Several sailing boats around. A huge tanker on the horizon. This is a relaxing sail time. The auto pilot system is working well. Sea birds around. Time for tea. We are sailing parallel to the shore, approx. four miles away. The big ships are moving in on us now as we reach Milford Sound which is a very wide estuary. Refineries everywhere. Two huge tankers are approaching. To the west the tall towers of the refinery turn pink in the setting sun - like a vast futuristic temple. I suppose that is what it is - a temple to industry. I do not feel comfortable in these surroundings. A large tug goes by a hundred yards away and we wait for the wash to reach us - bouncy but safe enough. Under motor now we push on further into the fiord. Past the BP dock, Texaco dock, LPG terminals. So much activity, all floodlit - everything an orange glow (the night scene). We are in touch by radio now with the harbour office and are directed into the dock basin, where we moor against a ladder twenty-five feet or so to the top of the dock wall. Omelettes all round with risotto and wine, and then to sleep.

Monday 26th June.

Arose 07.00h-ish. A general deck tidy up. Tea and toast. Hugh and Terry go for a shower. Roger and Janet still below decks. I shall go to the ablutions later when it is quiet, so I walk along the dock wall past the tall ships with their uniformed youthful crews. Past various marquees for snacks, books, souvenirs, information, resting point, all busy because of the drizzly day.

I look out onto a very full marina. Full of boats that is. Just the odd person about. People come down at the weekends I am told.

No one else in the shower room - just as well as I have used the ladies room by mistake due to my misreading of the entrance signs - building alterations, apologies etc. The lady attendant found me shaving in a half dressed state and was amused by the situation, told me not to worry.

We all go to Tesco for lunch. Terry departs, has to go back to work.

Mid-afternoon. We have to change mooring. A factory trawler is coming in. The dock hands do the move and they tie us up near the portugese tall ship. In comes the big trawler. We hear the slow thud, thud of its big engine. Nearer and nearer, taking away the sunlight, and then at the very last moment we hear the engine go into reverse and she slides into the quay. Trawler captains like to tease yachtsmen and show off their bow thrusting technique. There is a lot of metal there and metal boats and wooden boats do not marry.

Out into town this evening to an Indian diner - Hugh is to pay - Milford Haven is a one street town built on a rise. Ten minutes walk and we are through the town. All shops are closed. Seven people in the diner, we five plus a couple and two or three fellows at the bar. Food ok. Taste Indian beer for the first time - no different. 23.00h-ish and back to the dock. All the tall ships have left on the evening tide. We are soon below decks.

Tuesday 27th June.

Fine morning. Everybody on deck by 9.00h for breakfast. Dock gates open at 11.30h. We follow the flotilla out into the sound and turn up river towards the next gathering place. Janet and Roger leave us to sail about in the dingy for the day. They take water and a bag of nuts and dried fruit. Janet is a vegetarian. Roger says he will shoot a duck or two (joke). The day is very blue, quiet and very warm. After motoring against the tide for several hours we drop anchor on the wooded side of the river in the shade of the cliffs. The languid river is now deep and green. Sandwich time with a Guinness, then a snooze on deck. In the woods above the birds are singing. A blackbird sings quite near. On the far side sheep are grazing - and beyond the blackbird singing, further and further still, all the birds of Pembrokeshire (re. Adlestrop - Edward Thomas). A pastoral scene here, yet down river in the wide sound is that vast industrial scene.

We up anchor and make our way slowly up river to the small hamlet of Neyland. Wooded, water meadows, a creek. A scattering of houses, some old, some new. Numerous boats. We must be amongst the last to arrive. A friendly man comes alongside in an inflatable - says he is a water-taxi - thus we gain the shore. The yacht club on the waters edge is throbbing. The wide covered deck is busy. Hugh and I join a large round table where two couples are sitting. They are French people who have sailed up to the regatta from Normandie. We are joined by a smartly uniformed cigar smoking fellow from the German navy (he has come out of the club house to smoke) who is the captain of the GORCH FOX II, a large three masted tall ship. This man is impeccably dressed, has a very neat white beard, a fresh complexion and is conversing with us volubly in a baritone voice in excellent English. I guess that he is in his mid-fifties. The French people also speak good English. On occasion the conversation lapses into french and the captain does likewise. We are joined by the wife of this man who introduces herself. She is wearing a large black mushroom on her head. I ask her the reason for her attire. She explains in excellent english that the blouse and bluchers (low-cut laced bots) including the beret are the national dress of Brittany. She is not french but her parents were. Roger and Janet join us and another round of drinks is called for. The buffet (hot and cold) put on by the club is very good and aplenty, £3 per head. Somewhere someone - a group are singing the Marseillaise. The French butcher man says that they are a crew of rugby players.

It is late and the water taximan is telling us that he has to go home soon. So we go back to our boat which sits quietly on the dark gentle river. Magnificent stars above. A wonderful summer time.

To be continued...