Lunch on the MV Mercia on the Thames - Tuesday 14th May 2019

​Dear Claire,

Thank you for including me at your party at the 11th Hour. I so enjoyed my trip on the MV Mercia on such a perfect spring day.

I loved the Waterman dressed in authentic c. 1715 costume. He told me that he had been taken onto the Thames in his father's boat/barge from the time he was just 3 years old. He gave a wonderful commentary and brought all the vibrant sights/sounds and buildings to life with all the ancient history of The Thames.

The view of all the buildings from the Mercia at water level was fascinating; the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London with Traitor’s gate looking dwarfed near to Tower Bridge; St Paul's glimpsed past Millennium bridge, towered into the sky; the tiny Globe theatre and the architectural grandeur of the royal Naval College at Greenwich.  
Lunch was superb and I sat with my fellow Mistress mason, also Clare.

Please pass on my thanks to Susan Keane, and your committee members, Gaye, Von, Sonya, Deborah, not forgetting Susan Maynard whose boat it was.  Thank you all for your wonderful welcoming hospitality,
​
With Kind Regards, Melian Payne
Worshipful Company of Masons