A hard shoulder to lean on.

Motorists on the M25 had something to distract them from the inevitable traffic jams in July when the ex- Courtmacsherry Solent class lifeboat R.

Hope Roberts made a passage to Tilbury by road.

She is pictured taking a break at the South Mimms service area on the way to the portwhereshewasloaded aboard a freighter for the six-week trip to Sydney, Australia.

The Solent has been bought by the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, and will be continuing her lifesaving work in Batemans Bay, New South Wales..