Just finished rowing for 5 days

[Siy]

Hi all,

we completed our 6 Men in 2 boats row (the wrong way round, and slightly shorter than Jerome's book). Rowed from Abingdon to Walton on Thames in a couple of camping skiffs.

Was great to see a generally cheery bunch of people out on the river that we encountered. Makes you realise how lucky we are to have such a great river with so much beautiful scenery that we can all play on.

At times I wished I had taken Aquaholic, (ie with the engine), but am pleased to have stuck it out and rowed all the way.

Will definitely be getting out again to pootle around (under power this time) in the next few days.

Simon

 

[bradtarga34]

Blimey, you picked some hot weather to be rowing! I would have offered you some liuquid refreshment if I saw you, but can't remember seeing 2 boats going down together, not sure if you saw us at all on your travels as we have just got back from our trip to Abingdon?

 

[Siy]

Yes - it was rather warm to say the least - I was not sure of your boat's name.... I was looking enviously at all the lovely boats on the way, so if I passed you I would have definitely said hello had I realised.

5 days in a non-powered craft - now just desperate to get mine out on the river. I am based at Bridge Marine in Walton. Having a new prop fitted tomorrow as a treat to myself, then hopefully will manage to get some time to get out and play on it... I am off work on garden leave for a while, so when the kids are at school hope to get some mid-week use on my own.

 

[Mashby]

Well done Siy your a fitter man than I.

I,m sure we bumped into you over the weekend at one of the locks but cant remember which one. We were the cruiser with the slightly over the top jolly roger.

Cheers
Matt

 

[Siy]

Thanks Matt - feel good for having done it .. but far from fit. If you are the cruiser I am thinking of then yes indeed , nice to say hello. I wish I had paid more attention to who is who on the forum, as I am fairly new here...still nice to be meeting people.

 

[Gavi]

Blimey, you picked some hot weather to be rowing! I would have offered you some liuquid refreshment if I saw you, but can't remember seeing 2 boats going down together, not sure if you saw us at all on your travels as we have just got back from our trip to Abingdon?

I don't think your liquid would have helped them the next day.

Well done, mad people! I wish I had known you had done it. We have a habit along the riverside of looking out for mad people. Because we are no mad.... oooo

Well done

 

[byron]

I wish I had paid more attention to who is who on the forum, as I am fairly new here...still nice to be meeting people.

Did you have a quick 'change-over' on a stretch above Cleeve Lock? You were asked if you were Camping and you replied "No, we want to do a change-over" ?

 

[Siy]

Yes that's right Byron - I was actually in the other boat at the time... We basically rowed for 40 mins each, then took a 20 min turn to sterr...hence 2 rowing one sterring at all times. The change-over was when it was time for someone else to steer.

I couldnt bring myself to camp - and as I organised the trip no one else did either... We stayed in the Swan at Sttreatley near Goring on Friday night, the Hotel Du Vin in Henley on Saturday, a Premier inn at Marlow on Sunday (short row as we had to watch the footie), but we did camp out on Romney lock island on Monday night. Surprisingly not too uncomfortable in the old camping skiffs at night.

As I said before.. been waking up since getting home, longing to be back out on the river....great friendly people (well 99% of them), lucky with the weather - and nice to be away from the hussle and bussle of normal life.

 

[apollo]

I think you passed us at Henley, heart goes out to you as it was stinking hot!!

 

[byron]

Well done Siy your a fitter man than I.
We were the cruiser with the slightly over the top jolly roger.

Cheers
Matt

There's me thinking that the sure sign of a hire boat is the wearing of a Jolly Roger.

 

[byron]

Yes that's right Byron - I was actually in the other boat at the time... great friendly people (well 99% of them),

I was one of the 99%. When I saw you were wanting to do something it was me that called to you. It's great to see folk doing the Thames traditionally.