Feeling A Tad Sea Sick???......

Now we had previously mentioned about Garys journey home! Well i can now reveal that whilst in the car on the way home Gary felt a little worse for ware! Now whilst some may put it down to the celebratory couple of Beers we had for reach Oxford, i would like to put it more down to the fact that he just wasnt used to being on solid land........ or travelling at any speed in excess of 2mph.

Needless to say he has now fully recovered and re-found his land legs, and the only one who suffered was the Hard Shoulder of the M40!!!

Steve Redgrave Eat Your Heart Out ...................

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

A Big Splash...........

We are pleased to report that this afternoon at approximately 1pm, we completed the challenge. Full details of our final day, along with Garys journey home will follow ...... once we've had a rest :-)

Thank You to all that have supported so far, it is very much appreciated.

Are We There Wet ..........

For our penultimate day we did manage to reach Abingdon and despite a little confusion over our mooring spot, we found a space just beyond the lock and set up much earlier than any night previous. Despite today being not one of our longest the miles from the previous week were begining to take there toll and we were pleased to finish early and then take a refreshing swim in the Thames. For myself this was my second venture into the great river, but for Keith it was his first and subsequently an experience he won't forget. The day as a whole had been quite uneventful maybe that was due to Dave's absence or maybe the countryside is just getting quieter. In the morning we'd stopped at Clifton Hampden to visit the pub The Barley Mow however our early arrival meant the pub had yet to open so we sought solice in the local Post Office where we purchased a cracking piece of fruitcake. This was undoubtedly one of Keith's highlights of the trip. Lunch Time saw us in Culham and a good long stop with Alan and Liz. For our last evening after our nature's bath in the Thames we both dressed for a night on the tiles in down town Abingdon, however Abingdon was not wuite ready for us and so a light supper in ASK fitted the bill, Keith's friend ChrissyP was able to show us around after food followed by a few jars in the Stocks! Dave arrived back late in the evening and we retired for our last night in the boat.

Gary

Steady Flow ............

Well one week on from our departure and we have made the far side of Abingdon, ready for the final push tomorrow, where we hope to cross the finishing line (so to speak). Spirits are generally high, if not a little achy, as the end sight gets ever closer and the sense of what we have achieved sinks in. To some i'm sure the concept of Rowing 97 miles may not seem alot, but those who know us will know our rowing history is sketchy to say the least. Some people even said at the start that we had no chance of making it, and whilst i know we are yet to finish, and thus without wanting to be overly complacent I feel they may be required to eat their own words.
So with tomorrow we hope to complete the last 8 miles of our task (our average has been 10/11 miles a day so far). This will see us in fact reach Oxford one day ahead of schedule, and indeed the book.

So despite a slightly sore wrist i actually am looking forward until tomorrow and the sight of Folly Bridge.

Paddling Along ...........

Latest update from the team on the boat tells us that they have reached The Wagon and Horses at Culham where they have met up with some of Gary's old colleagues from his time working at Osterley Park http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-osterleypark. They left earlish this morning before the lock opened and they became an obstruction. The target this evening is Abingdon which is approximatley 3.5Miles away. Gary has been rowing this morning as both my own and Keith's wrist is playing up, whereas Garys has now got better. Interestingly on all 3 of us it has been on our left hands! Anyway all being well we should arrive at Abingdon by close of play tonight.

I Aint Gettin On No Boat......... Fool !!!!!

Yesterday eventually finished in Dorchester, moored up just by Days Lock. However this was not without a few hic-cups and events along the way. We first stopped for some lunch on the pontoon leading out of Oxford Brookes University Rowing Club, however this was not until after Keith had shown off his rapping skills, in reciting John Barnes. After this we made our way into Wallingford. Once we arrived all mooring spots were taken, apart from a small bit at the end by where a ferry would moor. We took this opportunity and moored up and swiftly headed to the pub accross the river. Whilst sitting in the pub the ferry returned and it's crew were swiftly on deck using megaphones asking us to move. With us being the opposite side of the river we were helpless and just stared at our pints. The crew of the ferry untied one end of our boat and swung it around into the tree. We decided to wait until the boat left before returning to our skiff rather than face the music. Unfortunatley the ferry didnt appear to be going anywhere. So after 30 minutes or so the A Team were re-created on the banks of Wallingford!!!!

With both crew members of the ferry seemingly asleep Keith snuck in and untied the boat. At the same time I went throught a camp site and waded into the river until the water was up to my stomach, and pulled the boat along. Keith came and joined Gary on the banks of the Camp Site, we all boarded and rode off at a fast pace into the sunset.

Ok so I don't expect a call from the BBC any time soon but still......


As we rowed on we stopped for some tea in Shillingford where a Mallard decided to join us in the boat! Pushing on from here we headed for some mooring in Dorchester, however when we arrived it was apparent the banks were too high for a Skiff like ours. Therefore we had to continue and i think by Days Lock we had all had enough for the day having covered 15 miles. We went through the Lock, (this time opperated by Keith) and moored up just the other side.


Gary and Keith made a quick dash for the local pubs to try and get some food on board. Unfortunatley the first 2 they had tried had stopped serving. On running to the third they were told the kitchin closed 5 minutes prior. After some pleading they offered to do a burger and chips which was greatly recieved, before retiring to the boat for the night.