Downstream

was dead tree matter but it’s
all organic. I didn’t get sick,
my brother did afterwards but
I kept my mouth shut. The
Thames is a safe environment
to do long distance, rather
than swimming forty miles
out to sea; if you get into
trouble you can put your feet
down and find a place to get
out. It’s a unique
environment.’
The brothers’ equipment
was minimal. ‘I later saw