Ready...... Set....... Row .........

Well the big day is here and we look set to sail from Richmond around midday today. The good news is that it is not as hot which we hope will make it a bit more comfortable. The bad news is that it hasd also been reported that parts of London have been experiencing Heavy Rain!!!!

For some of us i think the nerves of the daunting task ahead have set in, I mean Gary's even having a shave!!!!!

We hope to load pictures this evening of the launch and also detail the progress we have made in the opening day, as we will also hopefully have a better idea of how we think we will fair.

Dave

Bowman ...........

With Keith's inabilities to answer the questions today we answer that age old, often repeated question, who is Montmorency?

Name : Montmorency
Age : In Dog Years?
Occupation : Dog!!!
Previous Rowing Experience : Doggy Paddle
Teams Supported : Rovers, Terriers
Favourite Colour : Mono Vision
Oxford or Cambridge : Dog University....... Arizona....... Naturally!!!
Greatest Sporting Achievement : Winning Cruffs
Favourite Tipple : Loo Water
Favourite Food : Dog Food
Favourite Films : Reservior Dogs, Homeward Bound
Favourite Disney Films : 101 Dalmations, Lady and the Tramp
Favourite Actor/Actress : Beethoven/Lassie
Favourite Author/Book : Spot The Dog by Eric Hill
Favourite Kipling Piece : French Fancies, Country Slices, Apple Pies ............ oh wait you mean THAT Kipling
Favourite Musician/Group : Snoop Dogg, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
Favourite Comedian : Rufus Hound
Favourite TV Programme : One Man and His Dog
Favourite Radio Programme : Paws for Thought

Five Famous Dinner Guests You Would Invite :
Snoopy, Scobby Doo, Huckleberry Hound, K9, Wellard

Favourite Country Outside The UK : Anywhere But Korea!!!

Greatest Fear : The Vet

Biggest Enemy : Top Cat and Garfield

Floating by..........

Well as Tuesdays launch day gets ever closer myself and Gary took today to visit some National Trust Properties and generally relax in the peaceful gardens, therefore syking ourselves up for the forthcoming week. At least that was the plan until Gary made me run to get the enterance of The Vyne!!!!!

This morning on leaving relatives in Dorset we went to the City Mill in Winchester, followed by more football as Winchester City took on Kingstonian. After the goaless draw we visited Sandham Memorial Chapple and The Vyne.

Not only have we used our Sunday to visit National Trust properties we have also brought those all important supplies for the trip. Starting with a stove!!!! Beyond the stove and requsite gas cannisters we have also purchase plasters, paracetamol, neurofen, deep heat and various other ointments!

One of the questions that we have been asked alot is who is Montmorency? Well i'm pleased to announce that we will be revealing his identity tomorrow ready for the big off! We will also be reviewing our last rower keith.

So as the rest of the country (well most of it anyway), look towards the Word Cup final we once again focus on our own sporting quest.......

For Now

Dave

New Season Launched ...........

Team Bonding continued last night as the launch day gets closer. Last night 3 of us (Keith was unavialble again, not that i actually remember asking him!), went on a further team bonding excercise as we saw Sandhurst Town v AFC Wimbledon in a preseason friendly.

Whilst there was alot of youngsters and trialists playing both teams should act as further inspiration. Sandhurst Town are now celebrating their Centenary Season and are a testimony to persistance and community spirit. You see the 'Frizzers' (Sandhurst) have been in the Combined Counties League for the last 20 years with their highest finish being 5th. With attendances around the 60 mark last season, the club can hold their heads up high at what has been achieved and the set-up they have in place. This of course can be said of a large number of Non-league sides. AFC Wimbledon can serve their own inspiration for the amount they have achieved in their 8 year existance gaining numerous promotions.

On the way home we passed Staines and the Thames so equally it was a fact finding mission of sorts.

So there we have it...... groundhopping may be a hobby to some (including me), but i like to reflect on last night as pure inspiration as to what teamwork and unity can achieve.

Dave

Stroke Two..........

Name : Dave

Age : 23

Occupation : Ticket Office Manager

Previous Rowing Experience : The Rowing Machine.....

Teams Supported :Brentford FC, Middlesex CCC, London Irish RFC,

Favourite Colour : Red

Oxford or Cambridge : Oxford

Greatest Sporting Achievement :Representing Hounslow in Athletics

Favourite Tipple : Anything

Favourite Food :Chinese

Favourite Films :Italian Job, Great Escape, Escape to Victory

Favourite Disney Film : Cool Runnings, Robin Hood

Favourite Actor/Actress :Michael Caine, Sandra Bullock

Favourite Author/Book :Come and Have a Go Series by Hayden Middleton

Favourite Kipling Piece : If

Favourite Musician/Group :Artic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal

Favourite Comedian : Lee Mack

Favourite TV Programme : Not Going Out

Favourite Radio Programme : Hancock's Half Hour

Five Famous Dinner Guests You Would Invite : Terry Evans, Jamie Oliver, Dizze Rascal, James Corden, Lee Mack

Favourite Country Outside the UK : Canada

Greatest Fear : Spiders

Biggest Enemy : Rowing

The Tide Continues To Take Us...........

Further preperation took place tonight......... at Ealing Beer Festival. We are not in a position to state what prep took place but the picture below may help to establish an idea.......



Myself, Gary and Montmorency went on a Team Building Excercise whilst Keith just builds himself up for the big day! Anyway 57 beers later and once again it's safe to say were brimming with confidence.

Dave

Stroke One..........

Name : Gary

Age : 27

Occupation : Conservator

Previous Rowing Experience : Some Punting in Cambridge...... i fell in....and i've been to Henley and watched the regatta.....

Teams Supported : Brentford FC, Middlesex CCC, London Welsh RFC, Belle Vue Speedway

Favourite Colour : Purple

Oxford or Cambridge : Oxford

Greatest Sporting Achievement : Organising the Inaugral National Trust North v National Trust South cricket game..... I got out for a duck!!!!

Favourite Tipple : Pint of Real Ale or Scotch and Coke

Favourite Food : Mash

Favourite Films : School for Scoundrels, Brief Encounter, Ice Cold in Alex

Favourite Disney Film : Sword in The Stone, Peter Pan

Favourite Actor/Actress : Buster Keating, Sylvia Syms

Favourite Author/Book : Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis and anything by PG Wodehouse

Favourite Kipling Piece : A Smuggler's Song

Favourite Musician/Group : The Artwoods, Davy Graham

Favourite Comedian : Bill Bailey

Favourite TV Programme : Dr Who

Favourite Radio Programme : The Navy Lark

Five Famous Dinner Guests You Would Invite : Ernest Shackleton, Tony Hancock, CB Fry, PG Wodehouse, Leslie Phillips

Favourite Country Outside the UK : Hong Kong

Greatest Fear : 97 Miles of The Thames

Biggest Enemy : English Heritage