Swan Lake..........

Well our intrepid rowers have made it to Staines, and I am informed that Gary is currently sitting in The Swan Public House, whilst Keith has run to the shops, to hopefully get something to keep him awake. Still I think the 8 miles currently covered is a fantastic effort given Gary has done most of the rowing!!!

It is also worth noting that whilst mooring up our Coach was running past on his way to Staines Rowing Club, to get this evenings practice in. Therefore all i can say is let the race begin........

Dave

Locked on Lunch .........

A further update on progress for the team today, with Gary currently rowing, they are just going through Laleham after stopping for some Lunch around Chertsey Lock.

This was no ordinary lunch as it was spent in the company of one of Gary's friends Mike. Now to many i'm sure Mike will not mean alot, however he is the Lock Keeper at Chertsey and thus the Lunch was not only Yummy but also informative.

So whilst they are still progressing along, it is eatimated that they have covered approximately 7 miles so far today......

Dave

Ruddy Hard Work ..........

I'm informed Gary and Keith had a pleasant nights sleep in the boat, especially after their visit to the pub!

That said i think Keith woke up aching a tad more than Gary today. Anyway they have continued to make progress and recently went through Shepperton Lock.

Its also worth noting i forgot to mention my quote of yesterday which came courtesy of Keith when rowing which i shall leave you with for now :

"I am so glad i am not a slave!"

Off We Row ...........

So day 1 continued and our target (given the delayed start) was to hit Kingston. As we pulled away from the jetty at Richmond it was Myself and Gary rowing and Keith steering. Within almost no time at all we could no longer see Richmond Bridge which i think may have been more down to a meander in the river than distance, but either way it was good motivation. Shortly after (probably around 45mins or so) we had a quick break and switch around, it also gave us a chance to take on some fluids.

With the new setup we seemed to get speed and rhythem relatively quickly with myself and Keith doing the hard work, whilst Gary steered us in the right dircetion, and provided historical facts along the way.


Within no time at all our first REAL test came around as we approached our first lock at Teddington. Worryingly we appeared to conquor it in a fashion that would suggest we were experts in the river!

Whilst sitting in the Lock we experienced some true hospitality of the river, something that was to become apparent the further we progressed. We got talking to the crew of the barge next to us, who very kindly let us tie to them, on hearing of our challenge (and lack of alcohol on board), he very kindly passed us a bottle of wine from his vessle and wished us all the best.

I referred to the hospitality of the river previously and this is apparent as you cannot pass a boat without someone waving at you, or wishing you well. Likewise when you moor up if someone can help tie you generally they will.

And so as we pushed on and reached Kingston, it was deemed another 5 minute break was necessary. As we moored just beyond Kingston Bridge memories of Gary and Keith's Uni days came flooding back with the sight of McCluskys. Whilst this was intended on being a brief stop it almost cut our whole trip short. As we went to move away the chain of another boat had got lodged in our rudder. Had it not been for a monumental leap from Keith and far more effort than it seemed necessary, we may well have been stuck for the duration. Anyway as we became free it became apparent that our rudder had subsequently stopped working. Therefore a quick dash accross the Thames (and the oncoming 'Traffic') and we moored on the opposite side of the river. Thankfully this problem was easily solved and we were on our way.

We kept pushing on in the hope to make Hampton Court by the end of the day. During this time once again myself and Keith got into a swift rhythem and subsequently made Hampton Court in no time. We moored up for a quick couple of pictures and then decided to try and get passed Molesey Lock by the close of play.



Molesey lock was an experience in itself as this was Self Service. However we had no reason to worry as Gary took this time to come into his element and randomly press buttons. Before we knew it we had bypassed Molesey Lock.

Whilst in the lock we had been given some advice on where to stop for the night. However when we got to the Island it was a private island. And thus we kept on going until we could find a place to moor. Subsequently we actually made it to Sunbury, meaning we had covered 10 miles in 6 hours, which we deemed as a sucess given our few hicups along the way, and the need to gather what we were actually doing.

After mooring up the boat against 2 trees we popped to get some food for the night and Gary and Keith swiftly made there way to the local pub. I on the other hand went home as i had work today, needless to say I'll be back rowing tomorrow.

For now....

Dave

Slightly Adrift .........

Well day 1 has passed and truely in keeping with the classic book Keith turned up late!!!! Subsequently instead of setting sail at 12-1 o'clock, we finnaly set sail at 3:15.

Keith further showed his boating knowlegde by asking the gentleman if we 'just head off in that direction', this was closely followed by the advice that Oxford was in fact the other way!!!

That said I do think that Mr Holland proved his worth with the food etc that he brought on board.

And so after a shaky (at times sideways)start we set sail.

Washed Up ..............

Sorry for the delay in updates yesterday we had a minor communications breakdown (that will make a good song title ED), Wednesday night we did manage to reach Runnymede and we hope you enjoyed our earlier blog, which was a poem written by Kipling in that stretch of water! Wednesday was a hard day as we were depleated to two covering 12 miles against heavy winds and strong currents although it was all worth it for when we reached Runnymede as we had a sighting of a kingfisher which made my day, but Keith managed to miss it on 3 separate occasions! Thursday should see Dave join us so we can rack up some miles!

For now

Gary

Runnymede

At Runnymede, at Runnymede,

What say the reeds at Runnymede?

The lissom reeds that give and take,

That bend so far, but never break,

They keep the sleepy Thames awake

With tales of John at Runnymede.

At Runnymede, at Runnymede,

Oh, hear the reeds at Runnymede:

'You musn't sell, delay, deny,

A freeman's right or liberty.

It wakes the stubborn Englishry,

We saw 'em roused at Runnymede!

When through our ranks the Barons came,

With little thought of praise or blame,

But resolute to play the game,

They lumbered up to Runnymede;

And there they launched in solid line

The first attack on Right Divine,

The curt uncompromising "Sign!'

They settled John at Runnymede.

At Runnymede, at Runnymede,

Your rights were won at Runnymede!

No freeman shall be fined or bound,

Or dispossessed of freehold ground,

Except by lawful judgment found

And passed upon him by his peers.

Forget not, after all these years,

The Charter <> signed at Runnymede.'

And still when mob or Monarch lays

Too rude a hand on English ways,

The whisper wakes, the shudder plays,

Across the reeds at Runnymede.

And Thames, that knows the moods of kings,

And crowds and priests and suchlike things,

Rolls deep and dreadful as he brings

Their warning down from Runnymede!

R Kipling