Over a week ago, on the Sunday, CBC and I had made plans with his brother to fulfil our Olympic water-based ambitions.
So duly, on Sunday afternoon, we headed to the Olympic park to go to Moo canoes aboard the Milk Float to hire some Canoes for a few hours.
The Milk Float is a narrow boat which doubles up as a bar and eatery as well as hiring canoes.
On top of the Narrow boat, it is covered with fake grass, deck chairs and bunting so you can relax in the sun. CBC and I arrived first, so we snagged ice-creams.
Our partners in crime arrived...
We spotted the Boat's cat!
And looked out at the pretty views..
Cat began to wash its bum as they do when you watch them.
Next, we went to fetch our canoes and made our way along the Lee River until we reached the pub, the Princess of Wales in Stoke Newington where we moored up and had some lunch.
That's why they are called Moo Canoes...
The Princess of Wales was rather popular.
I dressed for the occasion and wore my Seaman's cap adored with pin badges.
I regretted wearing CBC's waterproof coat as the sun was out.
The other members of the party partook of beer.
I ordered some curly fries with pulled pork and sour cream and the veggies ordered these lentil and beetroot burgers which I ended up eating some of.
The bar had some really fun decor such as Books wallpaper, these fun typography tiles and
A fox lampshade!
Soon we realised that we would have to return back along the river as we had a deadline for returning the canoes.
I've never canoed on a river with narrow boats before (or stonking great craft like this), so I was rather disconcerted by this one arriving. That said, I have sea-kayaked with a dirty great Ladrolinja ferry behind me in Croatia which I recall was terrifying so maybe not so bad! They have right of way so you always need to go to their right. As they were already on the right, we just stayed still...
But we had to sit in the mire...
I made sure I had my camera on me on the return journey as it spent the way there in the waterproof bucket. The journey continued pleasantly along the river and we zoomed ahead of our companions!
There were many vessels along our journey which we ogled with great interest.
Ahoy there!
We passed under several bridges.
Passed yet more narrow boats.
Many examples of of intriguing graffiti pervade the area. These robotic owl twins seemed to fix us with beady eyes as we passed.
I enjoyed the Silmarillion- a Tolkien fan no doubt!
We loved Boaty McBoatface the second!
More graffiti adorned the underside of this bridge. I was intrigued by EdwineGums!
I'll choose to ignore the addition to the sign!
There seem to be lots of teeth in the graffiti!!!
A serpent with a Santa hat? Why not?
And here we saw the Olympic Stadium as we reached the Milk Float again.
The runners-up in the race!
After we'd returned our canoes and I'd removed my aqua shoes and donned my gold Toms shoes, I looked for CBC and found Red Riding Hood on the bench.
Next, we headed to the Crate Brewery for a drink and some food (in some people's cases) where we saw the next lot of Grafitti artists in action.
The Kashmiri Dhal pizza was really tasty although I only had one slice to try it as I was still full of curly fries. I honestly don't know where those boys put their food!
There was the finished Graffiti after we had eaten.
Next, we headed to the Olympic Aquatic Centre where we had booked for a 7pm swim.
The pool looked really big and exciting. Whilst we were there, there were some Team Life Guard competitions going on in the other half of the pool.
Unfortunately, I discovered I had left my swimming costume somewhere and ended up buying a Speedo one from the shop which I wasn't best pleased about. Idiot!
The swim was good but we all could taste Dhal pizza as we were doing it- not the best choice before swimming. The lanes are divided according to speed but I couldn't seem to find one to match me. Dead slow was too slow, but the next lane was too fast! Alas.
As we walked back through the park to reach our car, I glimpsed the Doctor Whoesque Toclafane again above our heads
FYI, if you are interested, Moo Canoes are quite expensive and cost £50 for 4 hours each. The Olympic swim session cost £5. I enjoyed the canoeing but I did think it was rather overpriced. Nonetheless, I am glad we did it, seized our last bit of Summer sunshine and got out there and got active!
Have you done either of these activities?
xx