Headed straight for the river after work and immediately felt - in my black attire - as conspicuous as a penguin amongst a crowd of sleek, lazing cats. Everyone was in holiday mode, jubilized ... hands full with ice creams or beer.

I love The Thames. It may not be that clean, as I think hero David Walliams discovered, and some may say it is dingy in colour. But it does have this wonderful smell, and is brimming with life whether it be with the copious wildlife, or the early morning rowers, or the dog walkers and bonkers joggers on the towpath.

Across the water a dog was splashing around next to an exceptionally long necked and unflinching heron, but I was too far away to do the scene justice.