Water Way To Spend An Evening...............

As we continue to look forward to our challenge and the money and support continues to come in, both myself (David) and Gary have upped our sporting activity! We have spent this eveing at Kempton Park Races, ok so it's not going to help our row, (or our Bank Balence at that), but we would like to refer to it as a Team Building exercise....... (without Keith!). It also showed us another sport that for the time being at least Gary should avoid, through risk of another sporting injury.
The Press interest has also taken a step forward with a couple of meetings with photographers today as we continue to promote our challenge and try and drum up some more support.
Tomorrow Gary is off to attempt to pick up some tips, (and shamefully in my opinion a Boater Hat), from Henley Regatta, and I'm sure he will enlighten us with some advice tomorrow.

Dave

The Row Must Go On.............

Today has been a rather somber day for two of the three of us.... (4 including Montmorency!). Reg Soden was the grandad to both myself (Dave) and Gary, and whilst today was his funeral, it should not cloud the inspirtation that he can provide towards our quest. You see it was Grandad that taught Gary a very important lesson...... the difference between a Ship, and a Boat!!!!! Grandad was indeed no stranger to the waters and spent time on board HMS Chevron


serving for the Royal Navy at the end of The Second World War, and during the resulting clean up process, mainly in the Med. Often he recited stories of his travels and incidents that had happened during his time at sea, and this can only help inspire us to embrace this challenge and really enjoy the experience for what it is, whilst also raising money for a worthy cause. It also seems apt that the 'BOAT' we wish to purchase will be placed in a garden, which it is safe to say is where Grandad enjoyed spending most of his retired days.

For Today....

Dave

It's so hot....... were soaking........

Well here is todays blog, a little later than we would have liked but hey ho, i'm going to blame the weather, as nice as it is, i do hope it cools down for the big row..... otherwise it could be even more painful than we envisaged. Some may have said that trying to launch a media campaign while the media circus of the World Cup is in full flight, is fool hardy at best. Add to that we launch when the England football team put in one of their worst performances in years and are knocked out, and you'd say we were down right stupid. But plough on we do. Hopefully after the dust has settled our little story will fill the void that has been left in the summer's newspapers. All this worry about the media though and I've given no thought for a while to the task at hand. Some of the volunteers on being told of our trip follow it with a large intake of breath and a "will you manage it?" I find this disconcerting (that said Gary is not known for sporting ability..... other than for his 'sporting injury!'ed). Maybe I do have to give the rowing a little more thought!

Gary

England Overboard...........

Well Sunday at Bateman's, and for us its unusually quiet. Must be the effects of the Big Game today. That said Bateman's loss is England's gain and I really think we have a decent team now and therefore a real chance to put one over the old enemy. Its such a Big Game today, and subsequently how I wish I was at Old Trafford to watch England win the one day series v Australia!!! The less said about today's other 'big game' the better.

As for the row, the publicity wagon is still rolling on. Today I've managed to contact 50 different local papers and passed on some info to the National's as well. Lets just hope a few more of them bite, we will of course provide any updates on any takers!

Anyway we're off to celebrate/drown our sorrows....... depending which sport you prefer!

Gary

Our First Bite .......

Well Sat has arrived and the official launch of the project. Posters are out at the property, and the story is beginning to be sold to the visitors. Beginning to send out some press releases as well and we'll see how many bites we'll get for our story. Already one taker in The Hounslow Chronicle, ok it's not quite Fleet Street, but it's our first bite and so an important landmark. Were let you know if any other fish in the big pool of journalism decide to bite our rod. David has began to do some preparation work for this journey, by going down the gym. Us other two feel it's not quite playing by the amateur rules, but we also know who'll be doing  the majority of the 97 miles!

Gary

Italians Sunk...........

Despite our attempts to launch our sporting quest yesterday, it got a tad overshadowed in the national media by Italy's failure to qualify for the next stage of the World Cup. That said we've gone live and the money has started pouring in, and we thank those that have donated thus far!!! Remember to keep track of the target at http://www.justgiving.com/RowYards4Kipling and whilst your there you can add a few coffers to the chest if you have not already. We are hoping to get some publicity out over the weekend, including contacting some of the local press along the route, so keep an eye out for us.

As you'll know were raising money to purchase a boat for the pond at Bateman's, a replica of the original that Kipling owned (pictured), a bit more information on that boat soon. Over the coming days we also plan to detail the exact dates of our epic challenge, whilst also giving some further details on both Batemans, Rudyard Kipling, The National Trust, and the rowers partaking. Whilst to some of you the concept of rowing 93 miles (1,636.8 yards), over the course of 10 days, may not seem overly daunting, those of you who know us will appreciate how 'athletic' we aren’t!! It is for that reason I'm off down the gym.......

Dave

It starts here.....

As the nation reflect on yesterdays World Cup victory for England, and subsequently look forward to the next match, against our old friends Germany, we 3 concetrate on our own newly found sporting nemisis, namely the Thames!

The full details relating to the challenge can be found listed below, along with details on how to donate. Through this blog we hope to build up to our challenge and also detail our progress once it is in full swing.

Dave