A call from Boris Johnson

Two days ago, as I was ascending the famous Hanwell Flight of locks, my phone went. It was Boris Johnson's office. Could the mayor come sailing with me for a photo op? It was a bit of a surprise - but not entirely. I had lunch with Johnson's PR man a month ago (he's the one who has to get old Boris out of trouble every time he sticks his foot in it!), and we thought it could be an idea. Publicity (and a laugh!) for me, and for the mayor, a chance to be seen to be in favour of rejuvenation of the waterways of London - which I believe he is. Boris Johnson is far busier and more important than me. He's what Nick Hewar (Apprentice fans will know what I'm on about!) would call a 'big guy'. I am what Nick Hewar would call 'not a big guy'. So I offered to tweak my timetable to allow a photo op of me and BJ rowing. I will wait and see what happens on Monday. If he comes at all, I'll not get much notice, and perhaps he will arrive with a cavalcade of bodyguards in black cars? I sincerely hope so. Boris is quite a big guy physically too, about 16 stone I reckon, but it'll be fine if he rows, as he'll be in the centre of the boat, and I can squat in the stern. Anyone his size (or even my size) upsets the boat a bit if sitting on one side of it. And I wouldn't want to tip him into the canal - even though the publicity involved for me and my cause would be immense! Witness, after all, the news coverage he got from his near-accident on his bike. Watch this space as they say. Other than that, trip's going well, not much time to write anything interesting or thought-provoking. Lots of unexpected planning, most of it boring some quite cool ('permission from the PLA to transit the Thames Barrier' has a pleasant officer-class military ring to it...). Will update as soon as I can. And thank you anyone who has either sponsored me, taken the time to read these posts, or who is following me.

Photo: these are the bridges of the Acton Lane Power Station. An amazing contrast between new and Victorian industrial architecture.