Downstream

canister inside. ‘It will inflate
if you fall in,’ says Martin, ‘if
you do, don’t try to swim,
just wait to be rescued.’ I step
a little gingerly on to the boat
and walk to the front where
there is a man at the wheel.
‘Bob,’ says Martin
introducing us, ‘this is
Caitlin. She’s doing a book
about swimming the
Thames.’ Bob Bradley, PLA
marine river inspector,
doesn’t look round. He just