… and the final scents of 5 days labour upon ”Rosemary” have been washed down the drains of our respective home showers, making their own way back to whence they came. The Thames. I find myself unable to concentrate at my desk having now cleared five days of emails and my thoughts refuse to remain on matters “work”. 

Most of us are now ‘tache-less (although Craig I am sure will be keeping his), James (Splitty) now in Belfast delivering an intensive training course, Craig (Montmorency) and Jim (CaptSpam) in London “working” and myself (Toner) writing this from my desk in Birmingham as I fight the self imposed requirement to work.

Fondest memories include pulling up in a particularly serene spot for a break, Nick Drakes “Riverman” being put on the stereo as we all chill out for 20 mins and we share the moments and a smoke. The Tarzan rope on one of the islands around Sonning Common in my spotty underpants. The joy of two men skulling in tandem and time, keeping rhythm for up to an hour. Jim’s command of our language disappearing for moments and the potential for double entendre such as “half past thirty” and “James, I’m now ready for your warm shower” (refering to the portable “camp” shower, in reality a bag of water that should heat up in the sun). The look on Craigs face every time we passed a pub on the river and Splittys unbeleivable ability to remain cheerful at all times (until the heebegeebies set in on Weds morning). Watching Jim try to work out what he has just trodden in and why it continues to wriggle between his toes as he observes his foot by the camp fire.

A great time that must be done again. Next time from London to Oxford (Lechlade), for I think we all agreed that JKJ had it right in the book. Getting away from the rigours of life, certainly the modern life we lead, gets easier and more apparent the further away from London you go.  It’s amazing how much fun life can be without the modern appliances, sophisticated systems, the media and rigid rule sets we believe we need. What we found was that 4 men, a boat, a single gas ring burner, a guitar and a tent and a common desire to find a smile was recipe for one of the best and most memorable experiences we could have asked for. Simply brilliant!

Thank you to all of you (Hi Ho, Hi Ho   -  quack quack)

Toner

 

we have arived at our destination at two o’clock. Captain Sav finally had his way, and no stops we’ re made all day. uneventful but fantastically pretty part of the journey.

Trip awards:

Worst helmsman: Capt Sav

Most lost oars: Toner

Most crabs caught: Splitty

Most likely to request pub stop: Cro

Much fun. Same again next year.

Bests

J

Stuck for a decent alternative, we spent the night in a campsite near Chertsey. Unsurprisingly, parts of the river around here are rather ugly. Staines, home of Ali G, lived down to its reputation – our first minor abuse since we set out: ‘Row a bit harder you f!&*ing b!&*^%ds’ shouted the hobo on the bank. in fairness I had to sympathise slightly – Cro and Splitty were’nt really giving it their best at the time.

Onward to Richmond where we complete our voyage at 3:00 this afternoon.

Although we were strictly forbidden to, they did it in The Book, so we’ve hitched a lift down to the next lock. A long lunch in Windsor signalled some argument out who was skulling next, so we finally succumbed to one of the many lifts we’ve been offered en route.

Brooding skies are hinting a change in the weather.

This one is a little long but we thought we’d get a shot of us in action for the blog. Three days of skulling (two oars each means its not rowing) , has made us masters of our domain.

We spent the night in a field near Cookham lock. Away from civilisation we were forced to be self-sufficient, James improved on his chili, with a stirling corned beef hash, eaten around a campfire. Strange noises in the night, and an attack by a horde of tiny slug-maggots failed to diminish our last evening in a rural setting.

Capt just topped his previous quote of the week from ‘look, we’ll be there by half past 30′, to something i’m apparently not allowed to blog because his mum might read it. so much for Splitty’s portable ‘warm shower’ that he bought with him

The george and Dragon actually, but different. The ‘jocks’ in the 8 man jobbers didn’t seen to get the gag about not being able to fit a case of claret in their craft, wot.

Lunch at another hostelry mentioned in The Book, surrounded by ‘ladies who lunch’. This gives us a brief insight to the lives of the wives and partners whom we leave at home everyday.

I’d like to answer some of the comments that we’ve had so far. Jonas, they all know who the captain is – the threats of mutiny have so far come to nought. Alex, I know it looks like I now owe you a holiday away from the kids, but its very hard emotionally and im not sure you could handle it. Finally to OrangeNex, although our technique gives the idea credence, our youthful good looks believe the truth, so unfortunately we were not at the Junior Nationals this year.

Thank you for everyone’s comments. More later.

..about avoiding Weil’s disease, Splitty desperately tries to hold on to the rope swing in a brave attempt to comply.