• Couple return to work in London after week-long holiday in Spain
• Deputy PM is most senior minister in Westminster while Cameron is away
• Prime Minister is in Portugal with wife Samantha and 3 children
  

By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor

PUBLISHED: 07:03 EST, 29 July 2013 | UPDATED: 07:45 EST, 29 July 2013

With the Prime Minister sunning himself on holiday, Nick Clegg is clearly revelling in the chance to take charge of the country.

The Lib Dem leader travelled up the Rover Thames on a boat this morning as he arrived for work as the most senior minister in Whitehall.

He took to the water with wife Miriam, with the couple see gazing into each other’s eyes while other commuters paid little attention to the fact the Deputy Prime Minister was on board.

David Cameron is on holiday in Portugal this week with his wife Samantha and their three children.

But at the weekend Mr Clegg returned from his annual trip to the village where Miriam grew up.

He is expected to make the most of his time as the top government figure on duty in Westminster.

On Wednesday Mr Clegg is expected to host the second of his new monthly press conferences, taking questions from journalists on any topic.

By contrast Mr Cameron has faced criticism for not holding the 'take all-comers' press conferences which became routine under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

As millions of people battled through traffic jams or the crush on trains and buses, Mr Clegg looked relaxed as he boarded the boat from his family home in Putney to Westminster.

During the half hour river journey the Cleggs enjoyed coffee from Costa – notably snubbing Starbucks which has faced criticism for its low tax bill in Britain.

Downing Street has repeatedly stressed that Mr Cameron 'remains in charge' wherever he is in the world.

But Mr Clegg has encouraged the idea that senior ministers 'hold the fort' when the PM is taking a break.

The two men faced criticism after it emerged they would both be out of the country at the same time.