Sorry for the late delay in getting back to you all, I know many of you have been waiting for a review of our final day. However we needed to take a little time out if only to re find our land legs.....(and generally stop rocking). The final day started early for us, and saw a mini landmark in the trip, as Keith was actually ready on time..... (better late than never!) We set off at 8:30am and was soon out of Abingdon and on towards our penultimate lock, which was also our deepest so far at 8ft 10inches. Since Henley the traffic on the river had definatly quietened, but this morning particular was by far our quietest. Myself and Dave had pulled us up 4 miles and in that time we had only passed 2 boats. The scenery was particularly unexciting and so the boredom was lifted by another of Keiths' Charity Shop finds, in the shape of a Q&A book. We can all say now what we would do in the most random of circumstances. After our final substantial stop Dave and Keith took over and pulled us up a couple of miles to Ifley Lock, where we met our dad, and offloaded some of the gear on the boat. Unfortunately this did mean that we were only a mile from Folly Bridge but our welcoming party risked not being there for our arrival, as a result we pulled up shy of Oxford University Boat Houses to let them get back ahead of us, and take up their positions on Folly Bridge. The final mile went passed remarkably quickly and although many of the people on the banks and on the river were unaware of our trip, we did feel that we were the centre of attention and a definite tourist attraction. A small but welcoming party met us at Folly Bridge and as we passed under it we realised that our task had been completed. A quick U turn saw us moor up at the Head Of The River Public House, where the many people in the garden i think were impressed with our mooring abilities, they were also made aware of what we had achieved as we tacked the 7ft jump up into the pub garden. A celebrationary pint and hearty lunch followed as we recited stories of the previous 7 and a half days. Many people we have heard from were surprised not only that we had completed the trip, but that we had completed it a day early. We had one final swansong, those who had been impressed with our mooring abilities, were to be blown out of the water, as we made the smoothest exit of the whole week showing our true abilities as accomplished rowers........... and a darn improvement from going sideways through Richmond Bridge at the beginning of the week. We had a mile back down river to our pick up point, where we met Bill, who was to return our boat to Richmond. On the way back the change in current was noticeable as we stormed past the tourist Punters and Rowers. We breezed past the College Boathouses looking almost professional. At the next bridge we said goodbye to Stella (the name of the boat), and realised that the trip was over.
Please continue to support our cause it would be great to reach £500. Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/RowYards4Kipling . Further information in the building of the boat will follow shortly, along with some pictures of the 8 days and some thoughts of the crew. Also some details about my welcoming back to Land on the way home!
For Now
Gary
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